My Account
A major effort by a voluntary organisation, the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi Island, has enabled one of the country’s most historic buildings to be properly restored.
Tiritiri Matangi is a major attraction because of its status as a native bird sanctuary, however it is also home to a Heritage NZ Category 1 historic building – the oldest operating lighthouse in the country.
It was built in 1864 and although the outside was painted regularly and the light technology updated over time, it took more than 150 years before a major restoration was planned.
A conservation plan prepared last year for the Supporters of Tiritiri pointed out that the lighthouse was in urgent need of remedial work, corroding both inside and out.
The project fell to the volunteers to organise and fund because (according to the conservation report) the owners of the lighthouse, Maritime NZ, did not have the funds to maintain it. The lighthouse is also listed as a Category A historic heritage place under the Auckland Unitary Plan, and Auckland Council contributed $40,000 towards the $400,000 cost of restoration. Most of the money needed for the project came from a $300,000 Lotteries grant and the Supporters of Tiri also put in some cash.
Supporters of Tiritiri chair, and lighthouse project director, Carl Hayson, says in recent years volunteers had noticed how far the inside, in particular, had deteriorated. It is made of cast iron, and moisture and salt air were taking a toll.
“Initially we hoped for government funding, but it proved not to be a priority so we decided to find a way ourselves,” Hayson says. “This is the first time that the interior of a historic NZ lighthouse has been done. Most of the time they don’t need the towers anymore, but we wanted to keep that part going. It’s a drawcard for visitors too.”
Once the funding was confirmed, at the end of last year, the heavy lifting began. This included bringing more than 500 litres of paint, scaffolding, a large waterblaster to remove lead paint, and other materials, over to the island by barge. Contractor NZ Coatings who usually work on ship holds, had their worker live on site for three months in winter as he completed the interior. That work finished in June.
Abseil Access will begin repainting the exterior of the tower in September – the entire project should be complete a month later.
Hayson says it has been a lot of work, but a labour of love for the Supporters of Tiri.
“The light is an icon for our wider conservation programme on the island, and it’s in an ideal position – accessible to visitors and a great way to share maritime history. Once it’s fully restored we hope to have better access for the public,” he says.
A reproduction signal mast will be up by Christmas.
From left, Colour photos needed: The Supporters of Tiritiri are looking for a colour photo of the lighthouse when it was red (before 1950). This is to be added to the Tiri Supporters’ historical records. Anyone who has an image they would like to share, email annerimmer@outlook.com. The 1865 brass weather vane that circulated air inside the tower. This has been restored by Ray Walter and will hopefully be reinstated at the top of the tower. Ray also refurbished the original brass ventilators, which will be reinstalled to help prevent humidity problems inside. Repainting the interior of a historic lighthouse is a NZ first. Photo, Gaye Hayson. Left, The lighthouse in 1907. Photo, courtesy Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi archive.
