The historic Cape Palliser lighthouse has celebrated its 117th anniversary but due to a recent spruce up is belying its age.
Painters scaled the heights of the lighthouse and, perched high above the ocean, gave the grand old lady a facelift of red and white. Maritime New Zealand, which owns the building, contracted Abseil Access to give the lighthouse a new coat, its first in 12 years.
In 2003 the lighthouse had a more major external makeover with old lead paint being completely stripped away before a fresh coat of paint was applied.
Late last year the lighthouse played host to hundreds of visitors on a special day set aside for the public to take advantage of an open day and to go inside the tower. It had not been open to the public for decades and the event day was organised jointly by coastal resident Rosemary Rayner and Maritime New Zealand.
