Waipapa Point Lighthouse facts for kids
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 Waipapa Point Lighthouse
Location in New Zealand
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| Location | Waipapa Point South Island New Zealand |
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| Coordinates | 46°39′36″S 168°50′49″E / 46.659978°S 168.847047°E |
| Year first constructed | 1883 |
| Year first lit | 1884 |
| Automated | 1975 |
| Construction | wooded tower |
| Tower shape | hexagonal tower with balcony and lantern |
| Markings / pattern | white tower, red trim, grey lantern dome |
| Height | 13 metres (43 ft) |
| Focal height | 21 metres (69 ft) |
| Range | 9 nautical miles (17 km; 10 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl(5) W 20s. |
| Admiralty number | K4384 |
| NGA number | 111-5420 |
| ARLHS number | NZL-056 |
The Waipapa Point Lighthouse is a famous lighthouse in New Zealand. You can find it at Waipapa Point in the Southland area of the South Island. This important lighthouse first shone its light on January 1, 1884.
About Waipapa Point Lighthouse
Why the Lighthouse Was Built
This lighthouse was built for a very important reason. It was put there after a sad event in 1881. A large passenger ship called the Tararua crashed into rocks near Waipapa Point. Sadly, 131 people lost their lives in this accident. The lighthouse was built to help ships see the dangerous reefs and stay safe.
The Waipapa Point Lighthouse is special because it is made of wood. It was one of the last two wooden lighthouses ever built in New Zealand. Its "sibling" lighthouse, the Kaipara North Head Lighthouse, is now retired.
How the Lighthouse Works Today
For many years, lighthouse keepers lived and worked at Waipapa Point. They made sure the light was always shining. But in 1975, the lighthouse became "automated." This means machines took over the work, and the keepers were no longer needed.
Since 1988, the lighthouse has been powered by the sun! It uses solar power, which is a clean and renewable energy source. In December 2008, a new LED light was put on the lighthouse balcony. LED lights are very bright and use less energy. Also in 2008, the lighthouse was repaired to make sure it was protected from bad weather and damage.
