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Taiaroa Head Lighthouse
New Zealand
The lighthouse was completed in 1865 and is situated at the north eastern tip of the Otago Peninsula about 32km north east of Dunedin. The light marks the entrance to Otago Harbour and was initially fitted with a third order fixed optic from Chance Brothers of Smethwick near Birmingham.
It was the first lighthouse in New Zealand to be fitted with an acetylene light in 1921.
The lighthouse became a listed building by Heritage New Zealand in 1991.
All major lights in New Zealand are now monitored remotely from Wellington and all have standby units that automatically activate if there is a failure. I have therefore surmised it is most likely the original Chsnce lens has now been removed.
The lighthouse is situated in a nature reserve with a large colony of nesting royal albatross.
| Manufacture Date | 1863 |
|---|---|
| Lighthouse Construction | 1865 |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Commissioning Body | Unconfirmed. |
| Lens Order | 3rd order |
| Lens Type | Fixed |
| Status | publish |
| Light Character | Fl 2 W 18s |
| Lighthouse Markings | 12 metre white round stone tower with lantern, gallery and red roof. It has iron girders providing structural support. Single storey lighthouse keepers accommodation nearby. |
| Lighthouse Parts | None known. |
| Management Body Ports Authority | Port Otago Limited |
| Preserver | N.Z. Department of Conservation. |
| Coastal Erosion Vulnerability | |
| Condition Observations | Unknown. |
| Open Status (Site) | Closed |
| Open Status (Tower) | Closed |
| Coordinates | -45.7735421764,170.7284887768 |
| Other | ARLHS NZL-049; Admiralty K4364; NGA 5396. |
| Data Source | Online research. |