Stephens Island
Lighthouse overview
Stephens Island Lighthouse marks the north-western approach to Cook Strait, at the top of New Zealand’s South Island.
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Lighthouse feature: |
Details |
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Location: |
latitude 40°40’ south, longitude 174°00’ east |
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Elevation: |
183 metres above sea level |
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Construction: |
cast iron tower |
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Tower height: |
15 metres |
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Light configuration: |
24-volt flashing LED beacon |
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Light flash character: |
white light flashing once every 5 seconds |
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Power source: |
batteries charged by solar panels |
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Range: |
18 nautical miles (33 kilometres) |
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Date light first lit: |
1894 |
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Automated: |
1989 |
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Demanned: |
1990 |
Access to Stephens Island Lighthouse
Public access to Stephens Island is restricted to permit holders only. The Department of Conservation administers the island as a nature reserve. At least 30,000 tuatara and other rare wildlife species live on Stephens Island.
History of Stephens Island Lighthouse
Of all New Zealand’s lighthouses, Stephens Island Lighthouse was built at the highest elevation above sea level.
The original light was also the most powerful in the country at the time. At a total cost of £9,349, the lighthouse cost twice as much as many other New Zealand lighthouses.
Operation of the light
The light was first lit in 1894. Oil was initially used to power the illumination. In 1938, the light was converted to electric power supplied by diesel generators.
Stephens Island Lighthouse was one of the last to be automated. The last keepers left in 1989.
In 2000, Maritime NZ removed the original light and installed a new rotating beacon inside the original tower.
The new light has a 50-watt tungsten halogen bulb powered by battery banks (charged by solar panels).
In 2024, the light was upgraded to a flashing LED beacon with a 24-volt supply.
Life at Stephens Island Lighthouse
Access to Stephens Island was extremely difficult. Keepers first had to journey from Wellington across the turbulent seas of Cook Strait. On arrival, they came ashore in a basket swung from the station’s crane. Passengers and goods were winched from the deck of the servicing ship onto the shore. Keepers and their families then faced a long walk up the 180-metre-high hill to their homes.
The introduction of helicopters to service the lighthouse greatly improved access.
On Stephens Island, keepers were honorary wildlife rangers. They kept an eye on the tuatara and dove petrels living on the island. Keepers were often paid an honorarium by the Wildlife Service to monitor visitors, maintain fences and provide reports on wildlife matters.
Stephens Island Lighthouse was a lonely and demanding post. Until its automation in 1989, the only communication with the mainland was by radio telephone, which was meant to be used only for lighthouse duties. For some keepers, however, this seclusion was part of the attraction.
In 1980, one of the last keepers at Stephens Island told the Weekend Star newspaper that life on the station:
“...makes you realise much about yourself and your own capabilities. Out here you end up being true to yourself. You have no outside pressures coming in. We live life to the full here, the way we want to live.”
Two of the original keeper’s houses have been retained and are now used by the Department of Conservation.