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Welcome Home Property Guide pages 17-25
August August 8, 8, 2022 2022
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Work begins on historic lighthouse 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.
Ray Walter is the original lighthouse keeper, now nurseryman, at the historic Tiritiri Matangi Island lighthouse, which is undergoing a major restoration. The spanner is one of the set used in 1864 to assemble the lighthouse. They were found inside the tower when it was cleared out for painting so Ray had them sandblasted and they will go on display when the restoration is complete. Photo, Gaye Hayson
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.” continued p2
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