Puysegur Point Lighthouse

The Puysegur Point Lighthouse is situated on a remote headland overlooking the Tasman Sea at the southwest corner of New Zealand's South Island, near the entrance to Rakituma / Preservation Inlet in Fiordland National Park. The lighthouse marks the northwest point of the entrance to Foveaux Strait, separating Stewart Island from the South Island.

History

• The original wooden lighthouse tower was destroyed in an arson attack on 8 February 1942. A replacement lighthouse was constructed using equipment that had recently become surplus from the Godley Head and Cape Foulwind lighthouses, and a new light was commissioned in January 1943.
• No specific heritage designation has been assigned to the lighthouse in New Zealand's national inventory of historic places.

Architecture

The current lighthouse is a replacement for the original wooden tower. Its construction utilized equipment from other nearby lighthouses. The exact materials used are not specified, but it is known that the structure is designed to withstand harsh marine conditions.

Light Characteristics

• The Puysegur Point Lighthouse emits two distinct light patterns: one with a range of 10 miles and another with a range of 19 miles. These lights have a period of 12 seconds for the longer-range light and are characterized by a white colour.
• The shorter-range light is an emergency signal.

Current Status

The Puysegur Point Lighthouse is currently operational, although its status as an automated aid to navigation is not specified. It serves as a vital navigational aid for mariners entering Foveaux Strait.

Notable Historical Events

• The original wooden lighthouse was destroyed by arson on 8 February 1942, highlighting the challenges faced by these structures in remote and harsh environments.

Location and Accessibility

The Puysegur Point Lighthouse is situated on a remote headland overlooking the Tasman Sea at the southwest corner of New Zealand's South Island, near the entrance to Rakituma / Preservation Inlet in Fiordland National Park. The lighthouse marks the northwest point of the entrance to Foveaux Strait, separating Stewart Island from the South Island.