Tiritiri Matangi
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Lighthouse overview
Tiritiri Matangi lighthouse is situated on Tiritiri Island in the Hauraki Gulf. It marks the approach to Auckland Harbour some 28 kilometres to the south.
Tiritiri Matangi is the oldest lighthouse still in operation in New Zealand. It was also the first lighthouse to be built by the Government.
In 2019, the lighthouse was fitted with a 24 volt Flashing LED beacon, replacing the rotating beacon.
| Lighthouse feature: | details |
|---|---|
| Location: | latitude 36°36' south, longitude 174°54' east |
| Elevation: | 91 metres above sea level |
| Construction: | cast iron tower |
| Tower height: | 21 metres |
| Light configuration: | 24 volt flashing LED beacon |
| Light flash character: | white light flashing once every 15 seconds |
| Power source: | batteries charged by solar panels |
| Range: | 18 nautical miles (33 kilometres) |
| Date light first lit: | 1865 |
| Automated: | 1984 |
| Demanned: | 1984 |
Getting to Tiritiri Matangi
Tiritiri Matangi lighthouse is located on Tiritiri Matangi Island and is accessible to the public.
There is no public access to enter the lighthouse
Tiritiri Matangi island is a wildlife sanctuary administered by the Department of Conservation and is a popular day trip from Auckland.
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Tiritiri Matangi photos
You can download a four page photo gallery of Tiritiri Matangi lighthouse dating back as far as 1865 to some more recent shots, depicting operationas of the lighthouse and life on Tiritiri Matangi Island.
Photo gallery [PDF: 7.6MB, 4 pages]
The history of Tiritiri Matangi
Lighthouse construction
Construction of the lighthouse was very difficult and cost £5,747. It took 4 months to dig down through 3 metres of thick, boggy, clay-like mud to reach ground that was hard enough to build on.
Building materials for the lighthouse were shipped to the island and then carted in sledges by bullocks over the slippery banks to reach the construction site. Despite the challenges of construction, the original tower is still standing. The light itself, however, has undergone many changes.
The light was first lit on 1 January 1865.
Related information:
Lighthouse 150th celebration booklet
On 1 January 2015, Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi celebrated the sesquicentennial of the lighting of Tiritiri Lighthouse.
[PDF, 1.24Mb, 9 pages]