Cape Reinga (1941)
In 1874 Captain Johnson, surveyed the area from the government ship Luna. He reported back to the commissioner of customs in Auckland the following "owing to a report that Cape Reinga would offer a good site for a light, the Luna after leaving Cape Maria, proceeded thither; on arrival we found a landing difficult, although the weather was fine. The height of the cape proved to be 456 ft, far too great a height in my opinion for a light ... I therefore came to the conclusion that Cape Reinga was not so suitable a position for a light as the island laying off Cape Maria van Diemen." 4
Unfortunately the lights beam was not visible from North Cape so an order was given in 1938 by the Marine Department to install a light at Cape Reinga. 4
On January 2, 1941 the lantern room and lens were removed from Motuopao Island and installed on the new lighthouse base at Cape Reinga the same day. The lighthouse and keepers houses were abandoned.
Cape Reinga was the last watched lighthouse built, the light was powered by diesel generated electricity.
The light was automated in 1987 and is monitored from Wellington.
New Zealand's most visited lighthouse with tourists and tour busses a daily occurrence. In Spirits Bay, below the lighthouse, Maori legend says that the spirits of the recently deceased climb down the twisted branches of the Pohutukawa trees and depart to the homeland of the original Maori.
In 2009 the New Zealand Post announced a lighthouse commemorative stamp issue celebrating the 150th anniversary of New Zealand’s lighthouses. A technological first, the stamps have special glue whereas the beams from the lighthouse actually glow in the dark,. This is activated by sunlight or holding the stamp under a light for a short time. The five stamps are in different denominations, ranging from fifty cents to $2.50 and feature Pencarrow Head, Dog Island, Cape Brett, Cape Egmont and Cape Reinga.
If anyone has any information on this light please contact me. thekiwimark@msn.com
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DIRECTIONS:
New Zealand's most well known lighthouse can be reached by driving north on highway 1 from Kaitaia 116 km (about 2 hours) until you reach the end of the road at the end of the country.
| Island | North |
| Province | Northland |
| Location | Northland |
| Number | K3688 |
| Date Commissioned | May, 1941 |
| Date Decommissioned | |
| Automated | 1987 |
| Latitude | 34° 26' South |
| Longitude | 172° 41' East |
| Elevation Above Sea Level | 165m |
| Height | 10m |
| Character | Flashes white once every 12 seconds |
| Range | 26 N. miles (49 km) (19 N. miles) |
| Made | On site |
| Construction | Concrete |
| Converted Kerosene To Diesel | Originally diesel generated electricity |
| Converted Diesel To Mains Electricity | Still using diesel generated electricity |
| Wattage | 1000w |
| Present Tower | Original |
| Authority | Owed and operated by Maritime Safety Authority |
| Date Visited | 6 February, 2000 |
| Head Keeper | From | To |
| Assistant Keeper (1st) | From | To |
Additional Sources:
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Text and photographs. Copyright © 1999-2009 Mark Phillips. All rights reserved.