Location | Northeast of the much larger D'Urville Island
South Island New Zealand |
---|---|
Coordinates | 40°39′56″S 174°00′00″E / 40.6655°S 174.0000°E |
Tower | |
Constructed | 1894 |
Construction | White cast iron tower |
Automated | 1989 |
Height | 15 metres (49 ft) |
Markings | white |
Power source | solar power |
Light | |
First lit | 1894 |
Focal height | 183 metres (600 ft) |
Light source | 50 watt tungsten halogen bulb |
Range | 18 nautical miles (33 km; 21 mi) |
Characteristic | Flashes white once every six seconds |
The Stephens Island / Takapourewa lighthouse is one of New Zealand most powerful lights with a range of 18 nautical miles (33 km; 21 mi).[1] Perched 183 metres (600 ft) up, on top of Stephens Island, it guards Cook Strait and Tasman Bay / Te Tai-o-Aorere, at the top of the South Island / Te Wai Pounamu.The light flashes white once every six seconds from a white cast iron tower.[2]
The light is operated remotely from Maritime New Zealand's Wellington office.[3] It was first lit on 29 January 1894,[4] and did not become automated until 31 March 1989, one of the last in New Zealand to be automated.[5]
Entry to the site and tower is by permit only, because it is part of the Stephens Island Nature Reserve, managed by the Department of Conservation.[6] Today it is home to tuatara, no people and an urban myth about a cat named Tibbles.