Baring Head Lighthouse, Navigation lighthouse on Wellington Harbour entrance, New Zealand
Baring Head Lighthouse is a navigation aid at the entrance to Wellington Harbour with a white concrete tower topped by a green lantern dome. The structure stands 22 meters tall and guides maritime traffic through Cook Strait and into the harbor.
The lighthouse was built in 1935 and became the first electrically powered navigation light in New Zealand. It replaced an earlier light station located at Pencarrow Head.
The site carries the Māori name Ōrua-pouanui, reflecting its role as a traditional gathering place for local indigenous communities. This heritage remains connected to how the location is understood by people today.
The LED beacon operates automatically and is visible from about 18 kilometers away, serving as an essential navigation aid for ships. The location is accessible from the coastal area, allowing visitors to appreciate its role in maritime operations.
Near the lighthouse, a research station conducts atmospheric measurements and maintains the longest continuous record of carbon dioxide levels in the Southern Hemisphere. This scientific work often goes unnoticed compared to the beacon itself.
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