Lighting the Coast: A History of New Zealand's Coastal Lighthouse System - Tapa dura

This book is the first comprehensive history of New Zealand's system of 'well-placed and effective' lighthouses that were essential for 'the great maritime future' its government envisaged. It presents the fascinating story of the siting, design, construction, operation and eventual demanning of those nineteenth- and early twentieth-century monuments of engineering. It reveals much of the lives of the lighthouse keepers—practical, independent men who took their families to live in remote parts of New Zealand—and raises critical questions about the future of the historic structures.

Helen Beaglehole is a Wellington writer and editor, and keen sailor. She has weaved together years of solid research and informed the narrative by her knowledge of coastal sailing. She has visited most of the lighthouse sites by foot, yacht or bike.