Factacular : Lighthouses

is located in

1883 - Burgess Island. The lighthouse was first planned in 1876 but was not lit until 1883 due to debate over the placement of the light The tower was constructed of blue stone blocks which were fitted together in Auckland then dismantled and barged to the islands.

Nugget Point Lighthouse

is located in

New Zealand

1870 - Kaka Point. Port Molyneux situated at the mouth of the Clutha river was a bustling port between the 1860s & 1870s making Nugget Point with its reefs & rocks a necessary place for a lighthouse. Originally a 3 keeper light it was automated in 1982.

Pencarrow Lighthouse

is located in

New Zealand

1906 - Pencarrow Coastal Road. The site of New Zealand's first lighthouse it marks the eastern entrance to Wellington Harbour. Initially in 1841, two wooden markers were built in but these blew away. A make shift beacon was then built & was tended by George Bennett & his wife Mary. In 1858 the iron tower arrived from England. By the time it was built George Bennett had drowned in a boating accident so his wife Mary became New Zealand's first official lighthouse keeper. The light was first lit 1 January 1859. The light was often shrouded by low fog so a new tower was constructed on the beach in 1906. Both lights burned together until Bearing Head lighthouse was built in 1935 and the original light was decommissioned.

Rangitoto Island Lighthouse

is located in

New Zealand

1905 - Rangitoto Island.Rangitoto was first built in 1882, but because of disagreements between the Auckland Harbour Board and the Marine Department, the light was not lit until 1905. Now solar-powered.

Somes Island (Matiu) Lighthouse

is located in

New Zealand

1866 - Wellington Harbour. The lighthouse was first lit on 17 February, 1866. It is an octagonal cast iron tower, standing 14 feet tall. The tower and lantern were imported from Britain. At the time it was one of only eight lighthouses around the country and was the first inner harbour light. Rrapeseed oil was used until about 1878, then paraffin oil was used. By 1895 a more powerful light was needed. The new & present tower, entering service in 1900, is round & constructed of brick. The old tower was demolished.

Taiaroa Head Lighthouse

is located in

New Zealand

1865 - Otago Peninsula.Marks the entrance to Otago Harbour. Built from stone quarried locally and lined with kauri timber. Due to the Russian invasion scare of 1885, Armstrong retractable guns placed nearby. The guns were only ever test fired and on these occasions they cracked the lantern room windows. The guns were again manned during the two world wars. The light is now automated.

Tiritiri Matangi Lighthouse

is located in

New Zealand

1865 - Hauraki Gulf. Situated on Tiritiri Matangi Island in the Hauraki Gulf, this is the oldest operational lighthouse in New Zealand.