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Baring Head

Baring Head is the nearest lighthouse to Wellington City. It was one of the last major lighthouses to be built in New Zealand.

Baring Head 1

Lighthouse feature: 

Details 

Location: 

latitude 41°25’ south, longitude 174°52’ east 

Elevation: 

87 metres above sea level 

Construction: 

concrete tower 

Tower height: 

12.2 metres 

Light configuration: 

flashing LED beacon 

Light flash character: 

white oscillating light on for 9 seconds then off for 6 seconds 

Power source: 

mains electricity (with battery back-up) 

Range: 

14 nautical miles (29.5 kilometres) 

Date light first lit: 

1935 

Automated: 

1989 

Demanned: 

1989 

Visiting Baring Head lighthouse

You can see Baring Head Lighthouse from beaches along the western entrance to Wellington Harbour. The lighthouse complex is fully accessible from East Harbour Regional Park (Baring Head Ōrua-pouanui). The lighthouse itself is not open to visitors. Two of the former light keepers’ cottages are available for overnight stay bookings. 

There is no public access to enter the lighthouse

Find Baring Head Lighthouse on the map (opens in new tab)

History of Baring Head Lighthouse 

In 1932, a decision was made to build a new lighthouse at Baring Head. The light would act as both an approach light to Wellington Harbour and a coastal light for Cook Strait. 

The lighthouse was built on land presented to the Government by a local farmer, Mr Eric Riddiford. Work on the buildings, lighthouse and radio beacon towers began in 1934. The Baring Head light was first lit in June 1935. 

Baring Head was the first manned light to be built in New Zealand for 22 years. The previous manned lighthouse, Castle Point, was built in 1913. All lights built between 1913 and 1935 were unmanned. 

Before Baring Head Lighthouse was built, the light at Pencarrow Head guided ships into Wellington Harbour. First lit in 1859, Pencarrow Head Lighthouse was the first major lighthouse built in New Zealand. The old Pencarrow light was extinguished when the Baring Head light started operating.  A smaller Pencarrow harbour light was constructed under the old tower. 

 

Operation of the light 

Baring Head was the first light in New Zealand to begin operating on electricity. It was initially supplied by diesel generators until mains electricity arrived in 1950. 

After the Baring Head light was built, a programme to electrify all major lights around New Zealand began. This programme was completed by 1957. 

The station was automated in 1989 and the last keeper left that year. 

In February 2005, Maritime NZ replaced the original light and associated equipment with a new LED beacon on the lighthouse balcony. 

The new light is powered by mains electricity with battery back‑up if the mains supply fails. 

 

Life at Baring Head Lighthouse 

The lighthouse, being close to Wellington, was a popular posting for lighthouse keepers and their families. Children were able to attend school, an advantage that most other lighthouses did not provide. 

There were originally two keepers stationed at Baring Head but this was reduced to just one. 

Baring Head Lighthouse was used as a signal station by the armed forces during the Second World War. Light keepers were exempt from conscription because their work contributed to the war effort. Keepers were issued with army jerseys to counter the extreme weather conditions.