The most stunning images of last night's supermoon

The largest, brightest supermoon in 70 years lit up New Zealand's skies last night.

The moon was at its closest to Earth during its elliptical orbit, and appeared 14 per cent bigger and 30 per cent brighter than normal.

Clear skies across most of the country made for great viewing conditions, with many would-be astronomers climbing Auckland's volcanos to get the perfect shot as the moon rose over the horizon just before 9pm.

If you didn't get to see the moon last night, don't fret - there will be two more supermoons early next year, on January 2 and 31.

But until then here are some of the most stunning images captured of the moon from both here in New Zealand and around the world.

The supermoon rises over Auckland's North Shore tonight. Photo / Michael Craig

This article was first published on NZ Herald and is republished here with permission. Additional reporting by The Hits.