NZHistory, New Zealand history online - pencarrow

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Pencarrow Lighthouse

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Pencarrow Lighthouse as 'Mr Blobby'

In June 2001 pranksters painted the Pencarrow Lighthouse as 'Mr Blobby', a character from the popular British TV show Noel's house party. One journalist pondered whether this was part of an 'international painting trail', given that a lighthouse in Scotland had been painted in similar fashion a few months earlier. The following article appeared in the Evening Post, 8 June 2001:

Image and article courtesy New Zealand Historic Places Trust.

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Pencarrow Lighthouse today

This image of Pencarrow Lighthouse was taken in December 2008.

Elizabeth Cox

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Pencarrow Lighthouse, c.1900

A group of people gathered in front of Pencarrow Lighthouse, Wellington, around 1900. One of the men is holding onto a sheep.

Alexander Turnbull Library,
Reference: 1/2-136029-F
Further information and copies of this image may be obtained from the Library through its 'Timeframes' website, http://timeframes.natlib.govt.nz
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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Early Wellington wharves

This view of part of Wellington, taken c.1869, shows the corner of Willis and Manners Streets and the surrounding area. The Rhodes, Hickson, Hunter and Fitzherbert wharves can be seen on the left of the image.

The parts for the Pencarrow Lighthouse were unloaded at the Rhodes and Company Wharf on 21 June 1858 and eventually transported to Pencarrow Head in September that year.

Alexander Turnbull Library,
Reference: 1/4-019551-F
Further information and copies of this image may be obtained from the Library through its 'Timeframes' website, http://timeframes.natlib.govt.nz
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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wellington

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NZ's first lighthouse, Pencarrow, lit for the first time

The lighthouse on Pencarrow Head, near Wellington, was lit for the first time amid great celebration. The New Zealand Spectator and Cook’s Strait Guardian reported that New Year’s Day 1859 would ‘be a day not soon forgotten by the settlers of Wellington’. After years of inadequate solutions, Wellington finally had a permanent lighthouse – a New Zealand first.

During the day many settlers took a trip out to their new lighthouse on the SS Wonga Wonga. A morning excursion, which left just before 10 a.m., had about 65 people on board. An afternoon excursion, which left at 4 p.m., was a much more crowded affair. So many people arrived to board the vessel that some had to be turned away. But while the early birds had more room to dance to the Hanoverian Band, those on the afternoon excursion undoubtedly had the more special trip.

At approximately 7 p.m. the Wonga Wonga anchored off Pencarrow. Up to 40 people, including officials, went ashore and walked up to the lighthouse. They were shown the workings of the light by Edward Wright, the engineer who had supervised its construction. A few days later the Spectator reported that:

All those who have seen the [b]uilding speak of it in the highest terms as a most creditable piece of workmanship and reflecting great credit upon Mr Wright and others concerned in its construction.

As dusk drew near the light was lit for the first time by Wellington’s provincial superintendent, Isaac Featherston. He was a fitting choice, having forged ahead with the construction of the lighthouse despite opposition from the central government. When it was lit, those remaining on board were concerned at the ‘apparent inefficiency’ of the light. But on the return voyage, ‘disappointment soon gave way to [a] feeling of pleasure’ as the light came into view ‘in all its brilliancy’.

Landing stores for Pencarrow Lighthouse

Access to the Pencarrow Lighthouse was always difficult. This image shows crew from the government ship Tutanekai landing stores on Pencarrow Head. The men on the beach are loading sacks and boxes onto a horse-drawn sledge, while the Tutanekai rides at anchor behind them. This photograph was taken on 16 February 1923.

Alexander Turnbull Library,
Reference: 1/2-112298-F
Further information and copies of this image may be obtained from the Library through its 'Timeframes' website, http://timeframes.natlib.govt.nz
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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shipping