Kahurangi Point

{{Short description|Point in New Zealand}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Location map |New Zealand |label=Kahurangi Point |lat=-40.7749 |long=172.2192 |position= left |width= 200 |float=right |caption= }} '''Kahurangi Point''' is a headland on the [[West Coast, New Zealand|West Coast]] of [[New Zealand]]'s [[South Island]],<ref>{{LINZ|48790||2009-03-27}}</ref> overlooking the [[Tasman Sea]]. It is located in [[Kahurangi National Park]] between [[Karamea]] and [[Farewell Spit]].

Kahurangi Point is traditionally regarded as the northernmost point of the West Coast region, although for most purposes it is considered part of the [[Tasman District]] region.

A [[List of lighthouses in New Zealand|lighthouse]] was built in 1903, automated in 1926, staff removed in 1960 and replaced with an [[Light-emitting diode|LED]] beacon in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/public/history/lighthouses/Kahurangi-Point/default.asp|title=Kahurangi Point lighthouse - Maritime NZ|website=www.maritimenz.govt.nz|access-date=2016-08-20}}</ref> The materials for the building were shipped to [[Big River (Tasman)|Big River]] about {{Convert|2|mi|km|abbr=on}} to the north, then carted along the beach and hauled up a light tramway.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-NHSJ02_05-t1-body1-d2-d2.html|title=Kahurangi Lighthouse {{!}} NZETC|website=nzetc.victoria.ac.nz|access-date=2016-08-20}}</ref> The keeper's house is now a [[Department of Conservation (New Zealand)|Department of Conservation]] [[Mountain hut#New Zealand|hut]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/nelson-tasman/places/kahurangi-national-park/things-to-do/huts/kahurangi-keepers-house/|title=Kahurangi Keepers house|last=|first=|date=|website=www.doc.govt.nz/|publisher=|access-date=}}</ref>

The Kahurangi upwelling system makes the area rich in oceanic biodiversity and the waters off Kahurangi Point is one of areas being frequented by [[pygmy blue whale]]s along with off [[South Taranaki Bight]] which was discovered in 2007 and was confirmed in 2014.<ref>Torres G. L.. Klinck H.. et al. 2016. [http://mmi.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/jan-feb_2016_field_report.pdf Blue whale ecology in the South Taranaki Bight region of New Zealand - January-February 2016 Field Report] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303201829/http://mmi.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/jan-feb_2016_field_report.pdf |date=2017-03-03 }} (pdf). Retrieved on March 03, 2017</ref><ref>Harper L.. 2014. [http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/9681753/Blue-whale-dine-out-off-Taranaki-in-their-dozens Blue whale dine out off Taranaki in their dozens]. [[Stuff.co.nz]]. Retrieved on March 02, 2017</ref><ref>Torres G. L.. 2013. [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263530782_Evidence_for_an_unrecognised_blue_whale_foraging_ground_in_New_Zealand Evidence for an unrecognised blue whale foraging ground in New Zealand]. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 47(2). [[ResearchGate]]. Retrieved on March 03, 2017</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

== External links == *[http://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz44339/Kahurangi-Point/West-Coast 1:50,000 map]

[[Category:Headlands of New Zealand]] [[Category:Landforms of the Tasman District]] [[Category:Buller District]] [[Category:Kahurangi National Park]] [[Category:Headlands of the West Coast Region]]