If you’ve got a pool in your backyard (or you’re planning one), adding lights isn’t just about showing off—though they do look amazing lit up at night. It’s mostly about safety and getting more out of your pool when the sun’s gone down. Here’s what matters when you’re looking into pool lights in New Zealand.

First off, what kind of lights are we talking about?

Right, so you’ve got a few options here—most folks go with LED these days. They’re energy-efficient, last for ages, and come in different colours. Think blue for a chill vibe, or switch things up with colour-changing displays for when you’ve got mates over. Halogen lights used to be the standard, but honestly, they chew through power and don’t last as long. So, unless you’re into changing bulbs constantly or running up your power bill, just go with LED.

Now, where do the lights go?

You’ve got two choices—underwater (which look epic, by the way) or above-ground lighting around the pool area. Underwater lights are built into the pool wall or mounted on the surface. They light up the pool itself, which is great for night-time swims. Then there’s landscape lighting, like those wee bollard lights or deck lights around the edge, which help people see where they’re walking (and not trip into the pool by accident).

If you’re building a new pool, get these built in right away. Retrofitting later is possible—but it’ll cost more and can be a bit of a hassle.

Okay, but what are they like to install?

Here’s where you need to think practical. For any wiring or installation in NZ, especially around water, you need a licensed electrician. No getting around it—it’s safety 101. You can check the Electrical Workers Registration Board (ewrb.govt.nz) to make sure the sparkie you hire is properly licensed.

And hey, council rules might come into play depending where you live. Pop over to your local council’s website, or give them a quick ring, just to be sure you’re not breaking any rules. Every region can be a bit different with rules around outdoor lighting and pool safety.

Where can you actually buy this stuff?

There are some solid kiwi retailers that cater to pools. Try places like Paramount Pools (paramountpools.co.nz), who stock LED lights and accessories. Spa & Pool Warehouse (spawarehouse.co.nz) also has a good range, especially if you’re after something that fits specific pool types or designs.

For more premium setups (like if you’re going full resort-style), there’s Spa World (spaworld.co.nz)—they’ve got tech like remote-controlled systems, timers, and even smart lighting linked to your mobile phone. Handy if you’re the type who likes to control everything from the couch.

Should you go all-out fancy?

Depends on your budget and how you use your pool. If you’re swimming most summer evenings, then yes, chucking in good lights is a smart move. You’ll get more hours out of it, and it’ll just feel better when you’re in there. If it’s more for looks or the occasional splash, maybe keep it simple. Even one or two well-placed lights can do the job.

Oh, and don’t forget about maintenance

The good news? LEDs are pretty low-maintenance. Just make sure the fittings are watertight—we are talking about electricity and water here. Every now and then, give them a quick clean so they’re not blocked by algae or dirt. And if anything’s flickering or not working, don’t muck around—get a pro to check it.

Final tip—combine lighting with timers or motion sensors

It’s like when you have an automatic porch light that turns on when someone walks past. Same idea with the pool. Timers save you money by only running lights for a few hours, and motion sensors are just plain cool (and safe). Some units even let you control everything through an app—which means you can set the mood from your phone.

Anyway, if you’re putting effort into keeping your pool clean and inviting, lighting is the cherry on top. It makes swimming safer, adds mad visual appeal, and in true Kiwi fashion, turns your backyard into a proper spot to hang out past sunset.

So light it up—just do it right.