Te Raekaihau Point facts for kids
Te Raekaihau Point is a wild and beautiful spot on the coast of Wellington, New Zealand. It's next to Princess Bay, with Houghton Bay to its west and Lyall Bay to its east. The name "Te Raekaihau" means "the headland that eats the wind," which perfectly describes this rugged place. It's a natural area that meets the powerful Cook Strait.
This special place was once at the center of a big discussion. A group wanted to build a large aquarium and education center here. But many people felt it was important to keep Te Raekaihau Point natural and undeveloped.
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About Te Raekaihau Point
Te Raekaihau Point is a fairly new landform. It was changed a lot during a huge earthquake in 1855. This earthquake lifted the land by about two to three meters!
You can get to this point from Island Bay, Houghton Bay, or Lyall Bay. It's a popular place for many activities. People enjoy diving, walking, and taking amazing photos here. It's also a great spot for relaxing, having picnics, and studying nature.
Stargazing and Aurora Displays
Te Raekaihau Point is special because it has very little light pollution. There aren't many houses or streetlights nearby. This means the sky stays dark, which is perfect for looking at the stars.
Sometimes, if you're lucky, you can even see the Aurora Australis here. This is a beautiful natural light show in the sky, also known as the Southern Lights. It's like the Northern Lights, but seen from the southern part of the world!
Protecting Te Raekaihau Point
For a while, there was a big discussion about building a large marine center at Te Raekaihau Point. The Wellington Marine Conservation Trust wanted to build a three-story aquarium. They called it the Aquarium of New Zealand. They hoped it would teach people about the ocean and bring many visitors.
The Wellington City Council even offered loans to help with the project. They thought it would be good for tourism and education.
Why People Opposed the Project
Many people in Wellington did not agree with the plan. They worried that the center would be too expensive, costing around $26 million. They also thought it might not make enough money to support itself. This could mean the city would have to pay for it later.
People also worried about the natural beauty of the area. Local stargazers were concerned that the lights from the center, including a cafe and parking lot, would ruin the dark night sky. This would make it harder to see the stars and the aurora. Residents also worried they might lose access to their favorite coastal spot.
Community Action and Outcome
Two groups were formed to fight the development: Save The Point Inc and GADOT (Group Against Development on Te Rae Kai Hau Point Incorporated). They worked hard to protect the area.
Many people shared their opinions with the city council. About 10,000 people sent in their thoughts, with half supporting the plan and half against it.
In September 2007, a court made a very important decision. The court said that Te Raekaihau Point was most important as a wild and undeveloped part of the landscape. They decided that building a big tourist aquarium would harm the natural beauty of the area. This ruling helped protect Te Raekaihau Point and might help protect other natural places in New Zealand too.
The groups who fought against the development also had to raise money for their efforts. They held fun events, like the Summer Lovin music festival, to get support. Many New Zealand musicians even performed to help protect this special place.
Images for kids
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Te Raekaihau Point of View
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Aurora Australis from Wellington South Coast
