Cape Maria van Dieman Lighthouse
Location & Light Range
About Cape Maria van Dieman Lighthouse
Also known as: Cape Maria van Dieman (Motuopao)
The lighthouse at Cape Maria van Diemen was an octagonal wooden tower constructed in 1879 on Motuopao Island, located off the northernmost point of New Zealand's North Island. This structure served as a critical navigational aid for vessels entering the Tasman Sea. Challenges associated with its remote location led to its deactivation in 1941. The lantern and lens were subsequently transferred to Cape Reinga. Today, only the original octagonal wood base remains on the island.
Why it matters: This lighthouse marked a critical navigational point at Cape Maria van Diemen, one of the significant headlands at the northern extremity of New Zealand, guiding vessels through the Tasman Sea.
Tower & Structure
- Tower Shape
- octagonal
- Material
- wood
Structure: An octagonal wood tower with lantern and gallery, of which only the wood base remains today.
Location
- City
- Te Hiku Community
- Country
- 🇳🇿New Zealand
- Region
- Northland
- Sea Region
- Tasman Sea, Motuopao Island off Cape Maria van Diemen, northern end of New Zealand
- Latitude
- -34.4748°
- Longitude
- 172.6452°
Nearby Vessels
Construction & History
- Year Built
- 1879
Significant events: deactivated 1941, lantern and lens transferred to Cape Reinga
References & Identifiers
- Nearest Port
- Paihia(86.2 km)
- ARLHS No.
- NZL-010
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