Thousands of eyes gazed up at the sky across the Bay of Plenty last night as the year's biggest and brightest moon passed over the skyline.

In the event known as the ‘supermoon', the golden celestial moon illuminated the sky as it passed closer to Earth than usual – appearing 14 per cent bigger and 30 per cent brighter than any other moon this year.

The supermoon over Maketu by Stewart Ireland.

The perigee moon was fullest at around 3.35pm, but wasn't visible until moonrise at approximately 5.23pm.

The supermoon was also a great chance for camera lovers to snap some inspiring pictures.

Here are some images of the supermoon from Sunlive readers around the Bay of Plenty.

Super Chihuahua moon by Craig Cuff.

The supermoon, from Whakatane by Lani Hepi.

The supermoon, over New Zealand by Lani Hepi.

Supermoon, taken from Brookfield by Alisha-Taylor.

Supermoon, taken from Brookfield, by Alisha Taylor.

Supermoon, taken from Brookfield by Alisha Taylor.

Supermoon by Amy Sleep.

Supermoon by Daniel Hines.

Supermoon in Springfeild in Rotorua, by Michelle Murray.

The Parkes family watch as the supermoon rises from the beach. By Caroline Parkes.

The Parkes family watch as the supermoon rises from the beach. By Caroline Parkes.

The supermoon over Western Bay of Plenty beaches. By Caroline Parkes.

Supermoon by Rebekah Bloxham.

Supermoon by Rebekah Bloxham.

Supermoon by Siobhan Miller.

Supermoon by Siobhan Miller.

Supermoon by Siobhan Miller.

The supermoon by Tracy Hardy.

Supermoon in the night sky. By Tracy Hardy.

The supermoon over Waimapu by Noel Peterson.

Supermoon by Caroline Parkes.

Supermoon over Papamoa Beach by Mike and Megan Cartan.

Supermoon over Papamoa Beach by Mike and Megan Cartan.

Supermoon over Papamoa Beach by Mike and Megan Cartan.

Supermoon over Papamoa Beach by Mike and Megan Cartan.

Supermoon from Arataki Beach towards Maketu. By Seonie Inglis.

Orange moon at Mount Maunganui. By Michael Walker.

The sun setting across the other side of Mount Maunganui as the supermoon rises. By Michael Walker.