Matiu / Somes Island Lighthouse

About

The Matiu / Somes Island lighthouse is a harbour navigation light located in Wellington Harbour, New Zealand. It is a sector light, operating from the southern end of Matiu / Somes Island to mark a safe approach through the harbour navigation channel. The first lighthouse on the site was established in 1866. It was the first inner harbour lighthouse in New Zealand, and one of only eight lighthouses nationwide at that time. However, by 1895 there were multiple complaints that it was inadequate. A replacement lighthouse with a more powerful light was built on an adjacent site and commissioned on 21 February 1900. The light was automated on 1 April 1924 and converted to electricity after 1945. The lighthouse is currently operated and maintained by the Greater Wellington Regional Council.

Adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA). Photography via Wikimedia Commons.