East Cape

Location of the Cape
East Cape is designated as the place where the first sunbeams of the day meet New Zealand.  The name used by locals is euphoric, saying it is the first time the new day is on solid ground.  This however is not quite correct.  While East Cape is the easternmost point of the main island of New Zealand, there are some islands that are still closer to the date limit.

The name of East Cape is also used to represent the whole region north of Gisborne, ranging north of the Mahia Peninsula and inland to Te Urewera National Park.  This region was the scene of some major battles of the Maori in the 1860s.

Lighthouse
East Cape Lighthouse was built in 1900 on East Island, but because of numerous earthquakes the lighthouse was moved to the tip of East Cape in 1922.  The lighthouse is a 14-meter high tower of successive welded steel rings and rises 154 meters above sea level.  The light flashes in 10-second intervals and can be seen over 19 nautical miles (about 35 kilometers) away.
Until 1985 a lighthouse keeper lived at the lighthouse to keep it in service.  Today the tower is fully operated automatically and is under the Maritime Safety Authority in Wellington.

Tourism
Entrance to East Cape Lighthouse is by a narrow coastal road accessible from the main Pacific Coast Highway in Te Araroa.  After turning onto the road, travel approximately 20 miles until you reach the end of the road.  Now work through a private farm and then climb up to the lighthouse.  The area offers a good view of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding countryside.