Many hands make old lighthouse work

The rebuilding project cost $70,000. Picture / Glenn Jeffrey

A historic Manukau Harbour lighthouse that has been lovingly replicated and rebuilt by a local community will be officially opened tomorrow.

It will not be functional but will stand as a testament to the former lighthouse and lighthouse keepers of Manukau Heads.

The lighthouse was meticulously rebuilt by volunteers from the local Awhitu community based on plans of the old one, which dates back to 1874.

Some of the original parts, including the prisms, were used in the construction.

The Manukau Heads Lighthouse Trust's Paul Dixon said the project, which cost $70,000, was conceived six years ago.

"It's involved just about everyone in the small community. Many businesses in the surrounding district have lent support by providing materials at reduced or no cost," he said.

The lighthouse has been relocated next to the Manukau Heads Signal Station Platform, which has been on the site since 1865.

"Before that, the signal station was on the opposite [north] side of the harbour, where it failed to prevent the worst maritime disaster in New Zealand's history - the wreck of HMS Orpheus on the Manukau Bar in 1863, with the loss of 189 men," he said.

The lighthouse stopped operating on its former site, a couple of kilometres away from its new site, in 1986.

Ports of Auckland owns the land on which the lighthouse and signal platform stand.

Prime Minister Helen Clark is scheduled to open the lighthouse tomorrow at 11am.