Kahurangi Point facts for kids
Kahurangi Point is a special piece of land in New Zealand. It's like a finger of land that sticks out into the Tasman Sea. You can find it on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. This area is part of the amazing Kahurangi National Park.
Kahurangi Point is located between the towns of Karamea and Farewell Spit. While it's often thought of as the northernmost part of the West Coast, it's actually mostly considered part of the Tasman District.
Contents
The Kahurangi Point Lighthouse
A lighthouse was built at Kahurangi Point a long time ago, in 1903. Lighthouses help ships find their way and avoid danger.
How the Lighthouse Changed
- In 1926, the lighthouse became automated. This means it could work by itself without people.
- The lighthouse staff left in 1960 because the light no longer needed someone to look after it all the time.
- In 2007, the old light was replaced with a new, bright LED beacon.
Building the Lighthouse
Building the lighthouse was a big job! The materials were shipped to a place called Big River. This was about 2 km north of the point. From there, workers had to move everything along the beach. Then, they pulled the heavy materials up a small railway track to the lighthouse spot.
The Keeper's House Today
The house where the lighthouse keeper used to live is still there. Now, it's a hut managed by the Department of Conservation. People who are hiking or exploring the park can stay there.
Amazing Ocean Life
The waters around Kahurangi Point are full of incredible sea creatures. This is because of something called the Kahurangi upwelling system.
What is an Upwelling System?
An upwelling system is like a natural elevator for ocean water. It brings cool, nutrient-rich water from deep in the ocean up to the surface. These nutrients are like food for tiny plants and animals in the sea. This means there's lots of food for bigger animals too!
Home to Pygmy Blue Whales
Because of all this food, the waters off Kahurangi Point are a favorite spot for pygmy blue whales. These are huge, gentle giants of the ocean.
- Scientists first noticed these whales visiting the area in 2007.
- By 2014, it was confirmed that Kahurangi Point is one of the main places these whales visit. They also visit off the South Taranaki Bight.
