“Pencarrow: New Zealand’s First Lighthouse”, School Journal, Level 2, August 2019
20 August 2019
New Zealand’s coastline has always been a dangerous place for ships and boats. Early Māori knew that. Several traditional stories tell of waka being washed onto rocks in storms. Since the 1790s, when the first Pākehā reached New Zealand, more than 2,300 ships have been wrecked in New Zealand waters.
You can find the story and teacher support material here:
“Pencarrow: New Zealand’s First Lighthouse”, School Journal, Level 2, August 2019
Other useful resources
Bishop Rock Lighthouse walk through tour – Here is a video of the Bishop Rock lighthouse, in the Isles of Scilly in the United Kingdom, before it was automated.
Lighthouses of New Zealand – This video shows eight of New Zealand’s lighthouses.
History of New Zealand lighthouses and their keepers – This is an article on the history of lighthouses and the technological advancements in their lights.
Discussion questions
Lighthouses were originally operated by the lighthouse keeper. Sometimes they lived in the lighthouse with their families. Lighthouses may have been built on a small rock or area near the sea that was difficult to access. The light needed to be up high enough to warn ships that dangerous waters and rocks were nearby.
- What effect did lighthouses have on people’s lives?
- What do you think the designer and lighthouse builder would have had to think about when designing a lighthouse for a family (social world) on a rock in a rough sea (natural world)?
- What attributes would the lighthouse need to have?
- How have the lighthouses changed over time? How has this changed how people do things?
- What are the positive effects of these changes on society and the environment?
- What are the negative effects of these changes on society and the environment?
Indicators of progression for discussion starters
| Component | Indicator | Level |
| Characteristics of technological outcomes |
| 2 |