An aurora lit up Bay of Plenty skies on Sunday night, with Tauranga photographer John van den Broek capturing the striking colours from Maungatapu.

The United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration space weather prediction centre had predicted the phenomenon would likely be visible on Sunday night.

South Island residents saw purple, pink and green hues across the sky which must be free of clouds for Kiwis to be able to see it.

Aurora Australis above Lake Tarawera, Rotorua on Sunday, June 1. Photo/Jessica Barnes/Blissful Photography.

The Aurora was also captured at Lake Tarawera at 10.30pm on Sunday night by Jessica Barnes.

"You could visibly see colour and beams with the naked eye. It was very strong for about half an hour," Barnes said.

The Aurora Australis viewable above Welcome Bay, was captured from Maungatapu, Tauranga on Sunday night, June 1. Photo/John van den Broek.

Aurora Australis has graced our skies several times during the past year, leaving Kiwis in awe of the spectacular sight.

In October last year, colourful lights dazzled South Island residents.

In September, a passenger on a flight from Auckland to Christchurch captured the lights from her seat.

What is the Aurora Australis?

Auroras typically happen when the magnetosphere is disrupted by solar wind that alters charged particle trajectories.

The particles then rise into the upper atmosphere and create vibrant colours in the sky such as green, pink, purple and red.

The Aurora Australis viewable above Welcome Bay, was captured from Maungatapu, Tauranga on Sunday night, June 1. Photo/John van den Broek.

The Northern Lights is the most famous aurora and occurs anywhere within a 2500km radius of the North Pole, making Norway and Iceland some of the best places to see it.

Sightings of the Aurora Australis can happen year-round but are most common during the equinoxes in March and September as the long, dark nights increase the odds of seeing the light.

Some of the best spots to see the Aurora Australis include Great Barrier Island (which is a Dark Sky Sanctuary), Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve, Wai-iti International Dark Sky Park, or on board a flight across the South Island.