Call to reopen island lighthouse

By BERNARD ORSMAN

Fresh calls are being made to reopen the lighthouse on Tiritiri Matangi Island. The lighthouse has a long history and one of the most spectacular views of the Hauraki Gulf.

Anne Rimmer, who is writing a book about the island, said the lighthouse was one of the most accessible in New Zealand and the last with a complete set of lighthouse buildings and structures.

"I am told that the view from the top is magical. It is such a shame that the thousands of people who visit Tiri each year cannot enjoy the experience," Mrs Rimmer said.

"This is not a derelict structure that might pose some danger to the public. It is a sturdy, working lighthouse."

The steel lighthouse, which arrived at Auckland in 1864 in sections on the Queen of the Deep and began working on January 1, 1865, was open to the public for 130 years until the Maritime Safety Authority closed the doors in 1995.

Since then the Department of Conservation, which administers Tiritiri Matangi as an open wildlife sanctuary, has made several unsuccessful approaches to the authority to have the lighthouse reopened.

An authority spokeswoman, Helen Mojel, said the lighthouse was there for the safety of mariners. It was unmanned, contained sensitive navigational equipment and could not be left open to the public.

There were also health and safety issues, such as a narrow metal staircase and a balcony near the top.

"It is a working lighthouse and, as such, it is not a tourist attraction."

But Ray Walter, the last lighthouse-keeper, and now island ranger for DoC, said there was no reason guided tours of up to 12 people could not see inside the building.

Mr Walter, who recalled early morning knocks at the door for the key to the lighthouse, said reopening it would be a fantastic bonus for the 32,000 boaties and ferry day-trippers who visited Tiritiri Matangi each year to see rare birds and wildlife.

The department and Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi were restoring the wooden signal station, which was built in 1910, beside the lighthouse.

At the same time, the Maritime Safety Authority was allowing the inside of the lighthouse to deteriorate and only maintaining the navigational equipment and painting the outside, he said.

Mr Walter said even if only the ground and first floors were opened, perhaps with exhibitions of navigational equipment and photos, people would get a feel for the lighthouse.

Helen Mojel said the authority would consider such a suggestion but would need details of how it would be operated and funded.

Getting there

Tiritiri Matangi Island lies 4km off Whangaparaoa Peninsula.

The island can be reached by private boat or Fullers ferry. Services leave Auckland at 9am, Gulf Harbour at 9.45am and return at 3.30pm. Bookings essential.

Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi offer guided walks to see some of NZ's rarest birds, including the takahe, kokako, stitchbird and saddleback.

The lighthouse is 1km from the wharf near the Department of Conservation headquarters, where there is free tea and coffee and a souvenir shop.