Cape Road (Pungarehu)

Cape Road is named after Cape Egmont, the most westerly point in Taranaki. Today it is best-known as the road to the lighthouse.

The earliest European settlers began dairy farming in 1883, on land near the coast. Conditions were difficult however, and they were fortunate there was an abundance of flax growing in the area, the sales of which provided additional income.

Parts of Cape Road were metalled in the 1890s and, before the First World War, a stone pit was established there. It provided gravel for several roads in the area.

Pungarehu School stood on the corner on the main road. Opened in 1891, it was closed in 2003. The buildings have been demolished but the war memorial gates, built in 1930, remain.

The lighthouse originally stood on Mana Island. However, it’s presence there confused many ships’ captains. In 1881 it was dismantled, transported on the ship Hinemoa to Cape Egmont, and rebuilt. The unrest on the coast caused several delays so armed constabulary were stationed there. Their presence, even after the light began operating, caused more concerns for the lighthouse keepers than any threat of invasion.

In 1951 the lighthouse was connected to local power lines, an electric light was installed, and the lighthouse keeper was, controversially, dismissed from his job. However, a power failure in 1956 disabled the light and, several hours later, the ship Calm, carrying frozen meat from the Waitara Freezing Works, ran aground near the point. After a government inquiry, a permanent keeper was reinstated.

In 1986 the light was fully automated and is now monitored from Wellington.

This story was originally published in the Taranaki Daily News.

Related plans:

Taranaki SO248 Sheet 1, ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)

Taranaki SO6694 Sheet 1 (1928), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)