New Zealand’s rugged, weather-beaten coastline was perilous to ships arriving in the mid-1800s. Wrecked vessels proliferated before the government saw fit to consider establishing a national lighthouse system. Since then, lighthouse keeper families have made a heroic life for themselves tending beacons and navigating the country’s rough seas. Their saga of tenacity and purpose is commemorated on a range of stamps including this one which issued in 1947.
This stamp features Stirling Point lighthouse in Bluff on the southernmost tip of the South Island. The lighthouse is accessible by car and the clifftop walkway is well maintained making it easy for visitors to experience this iconic spot.
The lighthouse is currently automated and powered by solar panels. The original lamp, which was a paraffin oil burning burner, has been replaced with a rotating beacon illuminated by a 50 watt tungsten halogen bulb. It is controlled remotely from Maritime New Zealand’s Wellington office.
A typical New Zealand lighthouse has a lens which is made up of a number of sections that magnify the bulb’s light into beams, and it is switched on by photoelectric daylight sensors. The light is then emitted automatically and is switched off again when the sun goes down.
When James Balfour was appointed New Zealand’s first marine engineer in 1866 he challenged traditional approaches to lighthouse construction. He used wood for the station buildings at Nugget Point on the north coast and on screw-pile towers built at Cape Campbell and Farewell Spit, and he chose inexpensive apparatus designed by his relatives in Scotland to refract and project available light. He also used kerosene instead of the traditional colza oil at Bean Rock, Auckland Harbour.
upsimples 8x10 Picture Frame Set of 5, Display Pictures 5x7 with Mat or 8 x 10 Without, Wall Gallery Photo Frames, Black
$18.99 (as of December 25, 2025 20:42 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
LaVie Home 11x14 Picture Frame for Wall Display, 11 x 14 Black Picture Frame with HD Plexiglas, 11 by 14 Poster Frame 1 Pack, Display Frame for Vertical or Horizontal, Classic Collection
$6.79 (as of December 25, 2025 20:42 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
OLANLY Bathroom Rugs Mat 30x20, Extra Soft Absorbent Microfiber Bath Rugs, Rubber Backing, Quick Dry, Machine Washable Bath Mats for Bathroom Floor, Tub and Shower, Home Decor Accessories, Grey
$9.49 (as of December 25, 2025 20:42 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Positive Crochet Taco Birthday Gifts for Women Men Valentines Decor Basket Gift Son Mom Dad Daughter Sister Friend Coworkers Self Care Gifts Emotional Inspirational Support Christmas Stocking Stuffers
$12.98 (as of December 25, 2025 20:42 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Gifts for Him Her Boyfriend Girlfriend Birthday Christmas, To My Love Handmade Crochet Penguin, Wedding Anniversary Valentines Gift for Women Men, Romantic I Love You Gift for Couples Wife Husband
$12.99 (as of December 25, 2025 20:42 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Amazon Echo Show 5 (newest model), Smart display with Alexa+ Early Access, 2x the bass and clearer sound, Charcoal
$59.99 (as of December 25, 2025 20:42 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Poo-Pourri Before-You-Go Toilet Spray, Original Citrus, 2 Fl Oz, Up to 100 Uses, Bathroom Odor Deodorizer with Essential Oils for Home or Work, Travel Essentials, TSA Approved Size, Lemon Bergamot
$9.97 (as of December 25, 2025 20:42 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
GORILLA GRIP Bath Rug Mat, Thick Soft Absorbent Chenille, Quick Dry Microfiber Mats, Rubber Backing Washable Shower Floor Rugs, US Designed Bathroom Bathmat Home Decor Accessories, 24x17, Grey
$11.98 (as of December 25, 2025 20:42 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Utopia Bedding 18x18 Pillow Inserts, Set of 2, White – Indoor Decorative Throw Pillows for Bed, Sofa & Couch – Soft, Supportive & Fluffy Cushion Inserts
$13.48 (as of December 25, 2025 20:42 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)