According to local reports, the first meteor was seen over the South Island, followed later by another bright fireball over the North Island. Witnesses described the sky glowing in shades of white, orange and purple for a few seconds before fading away.

New Zealand's geological monitoring agency GeoNet also shared footage of the event and invited people to report their sightings. The dramatic visuals prompted thousands of responses from residents who described the rare celestial display.

Several eyewitnesses initially believed they were witnessing an aircraft accident due to the intensity of the light. Others reported seeing a long glowing trail stretching across the sky before it gradually disappeared.

Many residents also claimed they heard loud rumbling or explosion-like sounds shortly after the meteors passed overhead. Experts say that when a large meteor enters Earth's atmosphere at extremely high speed, it can generate a sonic boom, producing a powerful shockwave that is audible on the ground.

Astronomers explain that meteors become visible when space rocks enter Earth's atmosphere at tremendous speeds. Friction with atmospheric gases heats their surface, causing them to glow brightly and create the familiar "shooting star" effect. If any fragment survives the journey and reaches the ground, it is classified as a meteorite.

Scientists are now examining available videos and observational data to better understand the size, trajectory and composition of the meteors. Such bright fireballs accompanied by multiple colour variations are considered relatively uncommon, making the event particularly significant for researchers.

The rare nighttime spectacle has generated widespread interest online, with many social media users describing it as one of the most extraordinary sky events they have ever witnessed. While dramatic meteor sightings are not unprecedented, experts say displays of this brightness and intensity remain relatively rare and offer valuable opportunities for scientific observation.