View source for Tiritiri Matangi Lighthouse

{{Short description|Lighthouse in New Zealand}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox lighthouse
| name            = Tiritiri Matangi Lighthouse
| location        = Tiritiri Matangi<br /> [[North Island]]<br /> New Zealand
| image           = Tiritri Matangi lighthouse and macrocarpa tree.jpg
| caption         = The lighthouse in 2010
| coordinates     = {{coord|36|36|20.4|S|174|53|50.8|E|display=inline,title}}
| yearbuilt       = 1864
| yearlit         = 1865
| yeardeactivated =
| automated       = 1925 (1st), 1984 (2nd)<ref name="MARINE" />
| intensity       = 
| focalheight     = {{convert|91 |m|ft}}<ref name="MARINE" />
| range           = {{convert|18 |nmi}}<ref name="MARINE" />
| foundation      = 
| construction    = cast iron tower<ref name="MARINE" />
| shape           = cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
| height          = {{convert|20 |m|ft}}<ref name="MARINE" />
| characteristic  = FL W 15s
| marking         = white tower, black lantern roof
| currentlens     = 
| country         = 
| countrynumber   = 
| managingagent   = [[Department of Conservation (New Zealand)|Department of Conservation]]<ref>{{cite rowlett|nz|accessdate=23 February 2016}}</ref> 
| module          = {{Infobox designation list |embed=yes |designation1=NZ Category I |designation1_number=[https://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/5403 5403] |designation1_date=25 June 1992}}
}}

'''Tiritiri Matangi Lighthouse''', also known as Tiritiri Lighthouse, is a [[lighthouse]] on [[Tiritiri Matangi]], an [[island]] in the [[Hauraki Gulf]] 28&nbsp;km north of [[Auckland]] in the [[North Island]] of New Zealand. It is owned and operated by [[Maritime New Zealand]]. It is considered the best-preserved lighthouse complex in the country,<ref name="PLACES">{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/auckland-places/2 |title=Auckland Places – Tiritiri Matangi Island |encyclopedia=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] | publisher=Government of New Zealand |accessdate=3 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301213015/http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/auckland-places/2 |archive-date=1 March 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> and is the oldest lighthouse in New Zealand still in operation.<ref name="MARINE">{{cite web |url=https://maritimenz.govt.nz/public/history/lighthouses/Tiritiri-Matangi/default.asp |title=Tiritiri Matangi |work=[[Maritime New Zealand]] | accessdate=21 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122005420/https://maritimenz.govt.nz/public/history/lighthouses/Tiritiri-Matangi/default.asp |archive-date=22 November 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> It was once the most powerful lighthouse in the [[Southern Hemisphere]].<ref name="PART2-P8">{{cite news |title=The Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, Part 2 |date=3 March 2010 |work=Inset to [[The New Zealand Herald]] | pages=8}}</ref>

== History ==
Constructed in 1864<ref name="PLACES" /> from [[cast iron]], the light was first lit on 1 January 1865. The light was first automated in 1925 and used an [[acetylene]] burning revolving light. Keepers returned to the light in 1947 and it remained staffed until 1984 when the light was fully automated. The light's last keeper, Ray Walter, remained on the island working with his wife Barbara as [[Department of Conservation (New Zealand)|Department of Conservation]] rangers until their retirement in 2006.<ref name="MARINE" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tiritirimatangi.co.nz/Newsletters/Newsletter66.pdf |title=''Dawn Chorus'' Bulletin 66 |access-date=10 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009043414/http://www.tiritirimatangi.co.nz/Newsletters/Newsletter66.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2007 |url-status=live }}&nbsp;{{small|(0.99&nbsp;[[Mebibyte|MiB]])}}, August 2006. Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi, Inc. {{ISSN|1171-8595}}.</ref>

The lighthouse along with the nearby visitor centre is a popular destination, although the light itself is not open to the public.<ref name="MARINE" /> The building has a Category I listing with [[Heritage New Zealand]].<ref>{{NZHPT|5403|Tiritiri Lighthouse|2010-03-06}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of lighthouses in New Zealand]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category-inline|position=left|Tiritiri Matangi Lighthouse}}
* {{Lighthouse Digest|1178}}
* [https://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/public/history/lighthouses/ Lighthouses of New Zealand] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330153213/https://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/public/history/lighthouses/ |date=30 March 2019 }}, Maritime New Zealand

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[[Category:Lighthouses in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Heritage New Zealand Category 1 historic places in the Auckland Region]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in the Auckland Region]]
[[Category:1860s architecture in New Zealand]]
[[Category:1865 establishments in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Transport buildings and structures in the Auckland Region]]
[[Category:Hibiscus Coast]]


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