Brothers Island
Lighthouse overview
The Brothers Island Lighthouse is New Zealand’s only rock station. The Brothers Islands are isolated and desolate, on the western side of Cook Strait.
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Lighthouse feature: |
Details |
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Location: |
41°06’ south, longitude 174°26’ east |
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Elevation: |
79 metres above sea level |
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Construction: |
wooden tower |
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Tower height: |
12 metres |
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Light configuration: |
modern rotating beacon |
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Light flash character: |
white light flashing on every 10 seconds |
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Power source: |
batteries charged by solar panels |
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Range: |
19 nautical miles (35 kilometres) |
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Date light first lit: |
1877 |
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Automated: |
1990 |
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Demanned: |
1990 |
Accessing Brothers Island Lighthouse
The history of Brothers Island Lighthouse
The Brothers Island Lighthouse, built in 1877, replaced the light on Mana Island, which sailors often confused with the light at Pencarrow Head.
The lighthouse was built on the larger of the two islands. The tower was built on the highest tip to provide all round visibility of the light.
The island is an isolated and desolate rock, which made building the lighthouse a challenge. There was not enough soil for the workmen to pitch their tents, so they had to build huts for their accommodation. There was no drinking water on the island and all water, food and supplies had to be shipped in. It took 60 days to land the first shipment of building supplies because of gales and rough seas.
Brothers Island was the last manned lighthouse in New Zealand.
Operation of the light
The light began operation with oil-powered illumination in September 1877. It was converted to diesel-generated electricity in 1954.
The station was automated and the last keepers were withdrawn in 1990.
The original light beacon has now been replaced with a 50-watt tungsten halogen beacon powered from batteries that are charged by solar panels.
Life at Brothers Island Lighthouse
Brothers Island was the least popular of all New Zealand’s manned lighthouses. As New Zealand’s only rock station, it was notorious for sending keepers “rock happy” because of the isolation.
This lighthouse was deemed unsuitable for women and children because of the hazardous landing and confined living conditions. Keepers were completely dependent on the mainland for supplies, including water. Even when supplies arrived in good condition, by the third month meals were very limited.
Historical letter books to the then Marine Department, written by keepers, are full of complaints about the poor quality of supplies.
Despite the difficult living conditions, some keepers enjoyed the peaceful life at Brothers Island. For many, it was a good training ground for a career in the lighthouse service.
Originally the island was manned by four keepers.. This was later reduced to three, then finally two. When the keepers were not rostered to the Island, they worked at the Marine Department in Wellington.