Cape Palliser light is located on the South Eastern tip of the North Island of New Zealand, marking the rugged coastline and notorious Cook Strait.
First lit in October 1897, the light shines from a 18 metre high tower, 78 metres above sea level and can be seen from 26 nautical miles (48 kilometres).
Cook Strait lies in an intermediate area between the subtropical and the subantarctic, where conditions fluctuate markedly with strong and dangerous currents.
Although the light was installed at Cape Palliser, the piece of coastline it protects still remained hazardous for the unwary with gale force winds and extreme currents.
The light was manned until 1986, and is now automated and monitored electronically from Wellington.
Prints of this picture of Cape Palliser lighthouse are available here: cape palliser
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