East Cape (1922)
View of East Island, original site of the lighthouse.
The first lighthouse to see the sun in the world, East Cape lighthouse stands on the most easterly point on the North Island. Originally the lighthouse was constructed on East Island, just off East Cape but due to the inaccessibility of the island the tower was moved onto the mainland in 1922.
Preparation for the building of the lighthouse on East Island begun in 1898, but as there was no suitable landing beach on the island it was a hazardous job. Unfortunately four men were drowned when a boat transporting equipment from the Steamer Hinemoa capsized in heavy seas.
The light was first lit on 9 August 1900.
The local Maori considered the island tapu and the island did not want any human intrusion. This may have been true given the landslides, earthquakes and general inhospitality of the place. It was impossible for the keepers to have a vegetable garden or any livestock due to the bad soil and when the slips finally threatened the base of the tower itself, it was decided to move the lighthouse to the mainland.
The light was extinguished in April 1922, and the tower moved and reassembled less one cast iron section which was not needed due to the increased height of the new location. The light was relit in December 1922.
Once the lighthouse was moved from the island all the slips and earthquakes ceased.
DIRECTIONS:
From Hwy 35 at Te Araroa, the lighthouse can be reached by a 25 minute drive on East Cape Road to the carpark. Here you face a 20 minute climb up 500+ steps to the lighthouse.
I drove out before dawn to catch the sunrise and if you choose to do this be careful driving as there are black cows roaming on the road and are hard to see.
| Island | North |
| Province | Eastland |
| Location | East Cape |
| Number | K3932 |
| Date Commissioned | December 1922 |
| Date Decommissioned | |
| Automated | 1985 |
| Latitude | 37° 41' South |
| Longitude | 178° 33' East |
| Elevation Above Sea Level | 154m |
| Height | 14m |
| Character | White light flashes once every 10 seconds |
| Range | 27 N. miles (50 km) |
| Made | Judd Engineering Works, Thames, N.Z. |
| Construction | Cast iron sections, painted white |
| Converted Kerosene To Diesel | 1954 |
| Converted Diesel To Mains Electricity | 1971 |
| Wattage | |
| Present Tower | Original |
| Authority | Owned and operated by Maritime Safety Authority |
| Date Visited | 27 January, 2000 |
| Head Keeper | From | To |
| Assistant Keeper (1st) | From | To |
Text and photographs. Copyright © 1999-2005 Mark Phillips. All rights reserved.