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.
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.
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.