Waipapa Point Lighthouse

Waipapa Point Lighthouse is a lighthouse located at Waipapa Point, Southland, New Zealand. It was first lit on 1 January 1884.^[2]

Waipapa Point Lighthouse

Location	Waipapa Point South Island New Zealand
Coordinates	46.659978°S 168.847047°E / -46.659978; 168.847047
Tower
Constructed	1883
Construction	wooded tower
Automated	1975
Height	13 metres (43 ft)
Shape	hexagonal tower with balcony and lantern
Markings	white tower, red trim, grey lantern dome
Power source	solar power
Operator	Maritime New Zealand[1]
Heritage	Heritage New Zealand Category 1 historic place listing
Light
First lit	1884
Focal height	21 metres (69 ft)
Range	9 nautical miles (17 km; 10 mi)
Characteristic	Fl(5) W 20s.
Heritage New Zealand – Category 1
Designated	26 June 2009
Reference no.	7785

The lighthouse was built in response to the wreck of the passenger steamer SS Tararua on reefs off Waipapa Point on 29 April 1881, with the loss of 131 lives. With its sibling, the retired Kaipara North Head Lighthouse, this was one of the last two wooden lighthouses built in New Zealand.

The lighthouse was automated and keepers withdrawn in 1975. It has been solar powered since 1988. A new LED beacon was installed externally on the balcony of the lighthouse in December 2008. Restoration work conducted in 2008 ensured it was weatherproof and secure from vandalism.^[3]

See also

• New Zealand portal
• Engineering portal

• List of lighthouses in New Zealand