Focus on Baring Head/Ōrua-pouanui - redevelopment of the lighthouse cottages and compound
Baring Head/Ōrua-pouanui is a special place – it’s a stunning location on an iconic headland, it is the only lighthouse compound in NZ still in its original condition and is full of untold history! We need to preserve and protect these buildings and help them to tell their unique stories.
In July 2023, Baring Head/Ōrua-pouanui was added to The New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero, further protecting and preserving the site.
We are continuing to support the Friends of Baring Head Trust to restore the park environment and redevelop and enhance the lighthouse complex. We’re working towards having the two former lightkeepers’ cottages and garage hut available for overnight stay bookings. In the meantime, you can enjoy the park's history on a wonderful day visit.
If you want to help the Friends Group out with weeding or planting, contact the Friends Group at info@baringhead.org.nz.
Native vegetation restoration plantings within the lighthouse complex will provide shelter as they grow. The lighthouse complex perimeter shelter belt is also being restored. It’s a windy exposed spot, so always take warm and windproof layers for your visits.
Managing the transformation
The Friends of Baring Head are leading the charge to seek the funding required to make the project happen. They are a Registered Charity and have already achieved a lot in East Harbour Regional Park including restoring the pump house beside the Wainuiomata River.
The Friends are also active in restoring the ecological values and native vegetation habitat of Baring Head/Ōrua-pouanui and will manage the compound redevelopment project with ongoing support from a steering group and GWRC.
Approach to re-development
The restoration project has been divided into seven discrete but related projects, each of which will become the focus of fundraising.
Focus on Baring Head/Orua-Pouanui | Project 1. The Loo with a View
Help us make the lighthouse complex well-serviced for day visitors with a new toilet. This area is going to be a great place to spend time enjoying views and having… Read more here
date_range Published 31 Dec 2018
Download now (PDF 2.3 MB) get_appFocus on Baring Head/Orua-Pouanui | Project 2. Restoring Garage and Sheds
Help us to restore the Baring Head Lighthouse complex garage and other sheds to original condition. The dilapidated garage requires full restoration. The restored garage will be able to be… Read more here
date_range Published 31 Dec 2018
Download now (PDF 439 KB) get_appFocus on Baring Head/Orua-Pouanui | Project 3. Restoring the Power House – Creating a day visitor centre
Help us redevelop the former Power House building into a day visitor centre and a sheltered place where the interesting and varied stories of Baring Head/ Orua Pouanui can be revealed.
Baring…
Read more here
date_range Published 31 Dec 2018
Download now (PDF 2.3 MB) get_appFocus on Baring Head/Orua-Pouanui | Project 4. The Lookout
Baring Head has wonderful sea and landscape views. Help us create a new landscaped lookout within the lighthouse precinct at Baring Head so visitors can better enjoy the views and… Read more here
date_range Published 31 Dec 2018
Download now (PDF 2.1 MB) get_appFocus on Baring Head/Orua-Pouanui | Project 5. Restoring the Shelter Belt
Baring Head is a windy place. In fact the NIWA weather station here records over 72 days a year when the wind gusts exceed 96 km/hr, and 255 days when… Read more here
date_range Published 31 Dec 2018
Download now (PDF 337 KB) get_appFocus on Baring Head/Orua-Pouanui | Project 6. The Discovery Trail
The overall project includes redeveloping the two light keepers’ cottages for bach–style overnight accommodation. Staying overnight here will be a memorable experience. We expect the cottages to be very popular,… Read more here
date_range Published 31 Dec 2018
Download now (PDF 408 KB) get_appFocus on Baring Head/Orua-Pouanui | Project 7. Restoring the Drive
Help us to restore the Baring Head Lighthouse complex drive, rock garden and paths. You can see from the historic photograph that the drive and rock garden were an important… Read more here
date_range Published 31 Dec 2018
Download now (PDF 2.1 MB) get_appWant to get involved?
The Friends are looking for help to:
- Restore the two light keepers’ cottages for overnight accommodation. This will be a wonderful place to stay in future
- Refurbish the former generator building as a day visitor centre. This will be a great place to shelter from the wind and learn about the people, landscape and operational stories of Baring Head/Ōrua-pouanui
- Restore the heritage gardens and surrounds. Heritage photographs illustrate what Baring Head/Ōrua-pouanui used to look like. Some of these features will be restored to their former glory
- Tell the stories about the lighthouse keepers’ lives. Light keepers and their families lived here managing the light and the grounds until as recently as January 1989 when the lighthouse was automated and the last light keeper left
- Donate time, funds and materials – contact the Friends of Baring Head to find out how you can assist
Join the Friends group to turn these plans into a reality. Find out more about their activities or check their Facebook page for updates.
Redevelopment reference material
Baring Head Interpretation Plan Powerhouse displays
date_range Published 15 Mar 2022
Download now (PDF 2.4 MB) get_appBaring Head Interpretation Plan Settlement displays
date_range Published 15 Mar 2022
Download now (PDF 3.6 MB) get_appToitu Te Whenua Parks Network Plan 2020-30
Toitu Te Whenua Parks Network Plan 2020-30
date_range
Published 31 Dec 2011
Recreations and Tourism Options Study (Tourism Resource Consultants, 2011)
Cultural Values Report (Raukura, 2011)
This report is endorsed by the Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust (PNBST) and the Wellington Tenths Trust [the Trusts]. The PNBST was mandated to settle all Treaty of Waitangi claims… Read more here
date_range Published 28 Feb 2011
Download now (PDF 965 KB) get_appResearch Report on Heritage Features (NZHPT: Cox, Kelly and Wagstaff, 2011)
This report was prepared in conjunction with Greater Wellington Regional Council, in order to provide information on the history of Baring Head and an assessment of its heritage values using… Read more here
date_range Published 30 Jun 2011
Download now (PDF 4.7 MB) get_appInspection of World War II Structures (Opus, 2010)
This letter report describes the findings of the inspection of the three structures and provides recommendations for ensuring the immediate safety and durability of the buildings. In accordance with the… Read more here
date_range Published 20 Dec 2010
Download now (PDF 5.6 MB) get_appArchaeological Survey for Greater Wellington Regional Council (Kevin L. Jones, 2010)
Philippa Crisp of the Wellington Regional Council commissioned this survey of the surface archaeology of the lighthouse reserve at Baring Head. The objective has been to record and interpret the… Read more here
date_range Published 25 Jun 2010
Download now (PDF 9.7 MB) get_appLighthouse Compound Heritage Plan (Boffa Miskell, 2014)
In 2012, Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) amended the Parks Network Plan to include a Baring Head/Ōrua-pouanui chapter. The plan calls for GWRC to manage key sites of historic and… Read more here
date_range Published 07 May 2014
Download now (PDF 3.2 MB) get_appLighthouse Compound Heritage Plan Appendix 1.0 (Boffa Miskell, 2014)
As an input to the development of the Heritage Plan commissioned by Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) for the Baring Head Lighthouse Compound a condition survey of the compound, including… Read more here
date_range Published 28 Feb 2014
Download now (PDF 3.3 MB) get_appLighthouse Compound Heritage Plan Appendix 2.0 (Boffa Miskell, 2014)
This report was prepared in conjunction with Greater Wellington Regional Council, in order to provide information on the history of Baring Head and an assessment of its heritage values using… Read more here
date_range Published 30 Jun 2011
Download now (PDF 352 KB) get_appLighthouse Compound Heritage Plan Appendix 2.1 (Boffa Miskell, 2014)
date_range Published 31 Dec 2015
Download now (PDF 1.2 MB) get_appLighthouse Compound Heritage Plan Appendix 2.2 (Boffa Miskell, 2014)
date_range Published 31 Dec 2015
Download now (PDF 250 KB) get_appLighthouse Compound Heritage Plan Appendix 2.3 (Boffa Miskell, 2014)
date_range Published 31 Dec 2015
Download now (PDF 1.5 MB) get_appLighthouse Compound Heritage Plan Appendix 2.4 (Boffa Miskell, 2014)
date_range Published 31 Dec 2015
Download now (PDF 640 KB) get_appLighthouse Compound Heritage Plan Appendix 3.0 (Boffa Miskell, 2014)
date_range Published 31 Dec 2015
Download now (PDF 3.9 MB) get_appLighthouse Compound Heritage Plan Appendix 4.0 (Boffa Miskell, 2014)
date_range Published 31 Dec 2015
Download now (PDF 700 KB) get_appLighthouse Compound Heritage Plan Appendix 4.1 (Boffa Miskell, 2014)
date_range Published 31 Dec 2015
Download now (PDF 922 KB) get_appLighthouse Compound Heritage Plan Appendix 5.0 (Boffa Miskell, 2014)
date_range Published 31 Dec 2015
Download now (PDF 91 KB) get_appLighthouse Compound Heritage Plan Appendix 6.0 (Boffa Miskell, 2014)
date_range Published 31 Dec 2015
Download now (PDF 250 KB) get_appBaring Head Keepers Houses Building Inspection Report (Hutt City Council, 2010)
The following report has been produced to give a perspective on the viability and costs associated with upgrading the two cottages at Baring Head. This is achieved by undertaking the… Read more here
date_range Published 02 Dec 2010
Download now (PDF 947 KB) get_appCondition and Remedial Action Lighthouse Compound Report (Ian Bowman, Boyden Evans, 2014)
date_range Published 28 Feb 2014
Download now (PDF 4.7 MB) get_appAsbestos Audit (Underground Services Check) - still to come
Baring Head Project GWRC Concept Design Cost Plan (WT Partnership, 2015)
WT Partnership was engaged to prepare a concept design estimate for the redevelopment of the Baring Head Project in Wellington on behalf of Greater Wellington Regional Council.
The majority of work…
Read more here
date_range Published 18 Dec 2015
Download now (PDF 717 KB) get_appBaring Head Building Services Concept Reoprt (eCubed, 2015)
date_range Published 21 Dec 2015
Download now (PDF 2.7 MB) get_appHeritage Strategy for Cottage Redevelopment (Studio Pacific Architects, 2015)
The driving forces in this project are heritage, function, and budget, and there are many different outcomes possible. The following discussion looks at influences, the physical parameters of the building, possible… Read more here
date_range Published 08 Mar 2015
Download now (PDF 135 KB) get_appLandscape and Cottage Plan One
date_range Published 30 Jul 2015
Download now (PDF 426 KB) get_appLandscape and Cottage Plan Two
date_range Published 30 Jul 2015
Download now (PDF 280 KB) get_appLandscape and Cottage Plan Three
date_range Published 30 Jul 2015
Download now (PDF 399 KB) get_appLandscape and Cottage Plan Four
date_range Published 30 Jul 2015
Download now (PDF 328 KB) get_appLandscape and Cottage Plan Five
date_range Published 30 Jul 2015
Download now (PDF 273 KB) get_appLandscape and Cottage Plan Six
date_range Published 29 Jul 2015
Download now (PDF 91 KB) get_appLandscape and Cottage Plan Eight
date_range Published 29 Jul 2015
Download now (PDF 110 KB) get_appLandscape and Cottage Plan Nine
date_range Published 29 Jul 2015
Download now (PDF 193 KB) get_appLandscape and Cottage Plan Ten
date_range Published 29 Jul 2015
Download now (PDF 129 KB) get_appBaring Head Ecological Values (Dr. Philippa Crisp, GWRC, 2011)
date_range Published 30 Jun 2011
Download now (PDF 862 KB) get_appEast Harbour Regional Park Resource Statement
date_range Published 30 Sep 2007
Download now (PDF 2.8 MB) get_appKey Native Ecosystem Operational Plan for Baring Head - Ōrua pouanui 2021-2026
Name of document: Key Native Ecosystem Operational Plan for Baring Head/Ōrua pouanui 2021-2026
Category: Restoring natural heritage
Type of document: Management plan
Author: Biodiversity
Read more here
date_range Published 01 Jun 2021
Download now (PDF 1.9 MB) get_appBaring Head lighthouse
Baring Head looking towards Turakirae Head
Baring Head cottage
In July 2023 Baring Head/Ōrua-pouanui was added to The New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero.
Being accepted onto the New Zealand Heritage list is a great honour for the site. This comes with many benefits.
The site is already a popular park visitor destination, and its listing on the heritage register is likely to boost visitation.
In addition, the listing will provide increased protection for the site from development and preservation of its architectural features. Baring Head/Ōrua-pouanui is an important cultural site in a valuable natural landscape which is in the process of being restored as home to a variety of native plants and animals. The listing will help to ensure that the site is managed in a sustainable way, so that it can be enjoyed by future generations.
Find out more about the Baring Head/Ōrua-pouanui heritage listing
Look at this stunning view from one of the Assistant Lightkeepers cottage bedrooms. We are hoping to have this cottage available for online bookings in 2024.
Get in touch
- Phone:
- 0800 496 734
- Email:
- info@gw.govt.nz