Cloud expected to block Blood Moon

Much of the North Island looks set to miss the best of tonight's so-called Blood Moon, a type of eclipse which will not be seen again in New Zealand for several years.

A MetService spokesperson told Radio New Zealand that the weather was set to scupper the views of many trying to get a glimpse of the moon's reddish tint.

The full eclipse is expected to begin at 11.27pm and last for almost an hour.

While shorter than the eclipse in April, would have been much clearer because the moon will be higher in the sky.

However, poor weather has put paid to that, and New Zealanders will not get another chance to see a lunar eclipse like it until January 2018.