Pages tagged with: lighthouses

On 1 January 2009 Pencarrow Lighthouse at the entrance to Wellington Harbour celebrated its 150th anniversary. New Zealand’s first permanent lighthouse, Pencarrow was also home to this country’s first – and only – female lighthouse keeper.

It took 20 years for the first settlers to get a decent lighthouse built at the entrance to Wellington Harbour.

Key events in the development of the Pencarrow Lighthouse

The experiences of the Pencarrow Lighthouse keepers and their families

Adding fuel to the coal range in the living quarters at the Cape Reinga Lighthouse, 1967. One of New Zealand's most popular types of stove was the Shacklock range, first manufactured by Henry Shacklock in 1873.

A timeline of key dates in the history of Pencarrow Lighthouse

Mary Jane Bennett remains the only woman to have been a lighthouse keeper in New Zealand. She took on the role at Pencarrow from her husband following his death in 1855.

See Pencarrow Lighthouse from the inside.

In June 2001 pranksters painted the Pencarrow Lighthouse as 'Mr Blobby'.

Image of Pencarrow Lighthouse taken in December 2008.

A group of people gathered in front of Pencarrow Lighthouse, Wellington.

The lighthouse on Pencarrow Head was lit for the first time amid great celebration. After years of inadequate solutions Wellington finally had a permanent lighthouse – a New Zealand first.

Crew from the ship Tutanekai landing stores at Pencarrow lighthouse on Pencarrow Head.

The children of Pencarrow Lighthouse keepers, George and Mary Jane Bennett.

Writing exercise by lighthouse children.

Houses near the Pencarrow Lighthouse, c1910.

Photograph of maintenance work on Pencarrow Lighthouse, Wellington

View of Baring Head Lighthouse under construction, March 1934.

Pencarrow lighthouse viewed from across the entrance to Wellington Harbour, on top of a hill, with other hills behind it.

The first lighthouse at Pencarrow Head, built about 1852. It shows a small building resembling a house rather than a conventional lighthouse.

View of Pencarrow Head, Wellington, showing the original lighthouse at the top of the hill and its replacement on the right.

Hear this 1959 Radio New Zealand documentary made to mark the centenary of the Pencarrow Lighthouse.