Beacon shining a light on Wairoa's past

Shiny beacon: During the revamp of the Wairoa Lighthouse it was discovered the dome is made of copper. Photo/Supplied

An email from a local painter to the Wairoa mayor led to an exciting discovery last month.

Richard Lynch like many other Wairoa residents was a fond admirer of the lighthouse in the heart of Wairoa but thought it needed a revamp.

"I remember seeing it as a kid but felt it needed a paint job. I sent an email to Craig Little and got the response I was after."

No-one was aware that beneath the worn out paint was a shining copper dome.

Mr Little said it was a great discovery and the first time the copper top had been exposed.

"It all seriously started with an email from Richard saying he wanted to paint the lighthouse for free. People had thought there was copper under there but it was more hearsay. A previous painter had thought there was aluminium."

In April this year the light inside the lighthouse was officially switched back on, shining all over the district.

Mr Little could now see the revolving beam from his farm out the back of Wairoa.

Before moving to Marine Parade by the bridge Wairoa's landmark shone its first light on Portland Island near Mahia in 1878.

Several shipwrecks had prompted its construction and it was soon to become a vital establishment, earning the name "Old Faithful".

News spread in 1959 that the "old incandescent" lighthouse was to be dismantled, removed and dumped.

Mayor at the time Robert Shortt was quick to protest this dumping and engaged in timely negotiations with the then Minister of Marine Mr W A Fox.

Soon after, permission was granted and the lighthouse was moved to Marine Parade by the bridge.

With the help of the Wairoa Jaycees and community the lighthouse was erected and officially opened in 1961.

"The Jaycees took it on as a project and hundreds of hours were given by this group. The district got strongly behind an appeal and over £500 pounds or in today's dollars $21,000 was raised."

Mr Shortt said it was probably one of the more ambitious and difficult projects the council and town would have ever been involved with.

This 2016 lighthouse revamp has continued the legacy of those in the 1960s with a variety of local handymen coming together and donating their time and skills.

Mr Lynch called up several people from engineers to plumbers and not one person hesitated to help.

"I think part of this reinvigoration of Wairoa is a reflection of what is happening in the town. We are actually going somewhere and it is looking really positive, there is a good vibe about town," Mr Lynch said.

Mr Little said the revamp of the lighthouse had always been in the plans but it was just about aligning everything up.

"It is the focal point and heartbeat of Wairoa. There is not one person who doesn't like it and it now stands stronger than ever."