Kahurangi Point (1903)
Photo courtesy of MSA.
Kahurangi Point Lighthouse is situated on the north-western tip of the South Island. Access to the lighthouse is just as difficult now as it was when it was first constructed.
The cast iron tower was the first manufactured in New Zealand by Judd Engineering Works, of Thames. It was shipped in sections and landed at the nearby Big River. It was then carted on drays three kilometres up the beach and then winched on a tramway nearly 50 metres up the cliff face to the assembly site.
The light was first lit in November, 1903 powered by a kerosene lamp.
As access to the station was a problem, the Marine Department decided to automate the light in 1925. In preparation, the light was converted to an automatic acetylene gas light in September, 1926. However the keepers remained until three years later in June 1929 when the Murchison earthquake hit. The earthquake caused serious damage to the station. The light shattered and the bottom floor of the tower was covered by a landslide. One keeper's house and the school room were demolished.
The lighthouse was dark for two months until a temporary light could be erected. The original tower was repaired and a new automatic light was lit in March, 1931. The keepers returned until the light was automated in 1960.
DIRECTIONS:
Inaccessible to the public.
| Island | South |
| Province | Westland |
| Location | Northwest of Karamea |
| Number | K4506 |
| Date Commissioned | November, 1903 |
| Date Decommissioned | |
| Automated | 1960 |
| Latitude | 40° 47' South |
| Longitude | 172° 13' East |
| Elevation Above Sea Level | 47m+± 46m# |
| Height | 18m |
| Character | Flashes white twice every 15 seconds |
| Range | 9 N. miles |
| Made | Judd Engineering Works, Thames, N.Z. |
| Construction | White metal tower |
| Converted Kerosene To Diesel | |
| Converted Diesel To Mains Electricity | |
| Wattage | |
| Present Tower | Original |
| Authority | |
| Date Visited |
+ Maritime Safety Authority.
# Land Information New Zealand.
± Leading Lights.
| Head Keeper | From | To |
| Assistant Keeper (1st) | From | To |
Text and photographs. Copyright © 1999-2005 Mark Phillips. All rights reserved.