Murimotu Island

NEW ZEALAND LIGHTHOUSES

Murimotu Island (North Cape) (1929)

Photo courtesy of MSA.

Near the northern most point of New Zealand, the Surville Cliffs, stood a lighthouse on Murimotu Island off North Cape.

In 1908 Captain Bollins of the Marine Department recommended a light be erected on the island. Money was secured in 1912 but due to the first world war the light was never constructed. After the war the Marine Department debated whether to erect a lighthouse on the Three Kings Islands instead. This debate obviously went on for years as it was not until 1927 that a light was constructed.

The light was lit in 1929 and was a 400mm fixed optical lens powered by acetylene gas.

The light was replaced in 1973.

On 23 January 1974 the lantern room was gifted by the Marine Department to the Commissioner of the Crown and is currently displayed in Waitaki Landing.

Restoration is being undertaken by Arthur Ole Lancaster.

DIRECTIONS:

The original site of the lighthouse is now the North Cape Scientific Reserve and is a restricted area.

The lantern room is on display at Waitaki Landing and can be found on the Far North Road heading towards Cape Reinga.

Views of the cape and island are from Hwy 1, above Te Kao, across Parengarenga Harbour and from Rarawa Beach.

Island	North
Province	Northland
Location	North Cape
Number	K3690
Date Commissioned	1927
Date Decommissioned	1973
Automated	1973*
Latitude	34° 34' South 34° 24' South*
Longitude	173° 03' East 173° 03' East*
Elevation Above Sea Level	99m*
Height	2m*
Character	Flashes every 8 seconds*
Range	18 N. miles*
Made	Chance Bros & Co, Smethwick, Birmingham, England
Construction	White concrete tower*
Converted Kerosene To Diesel
Converted Diesel To Mains Electricity
Wattage
Present Tower	Not original
Authority	Owned and operated by Maritime Safety Authority
Date Visited	6 February, 2000

* Present tower which is automated and was erected in 1973.

Head Keeper

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Assistant Keeper (1st)

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