Abstract
Lighthouses have always attracted the public's interest. They encompass a slice of New Zealand's history and are often surrounded by spectacular scenery and wildlife. Up until the mid 1990s, New Zealand's lighthouses were manned by keepers who fulfilled the role of, tourism guides, and lighthouse site interpreters. With the event of automation visitor access to our lighthouses has changed dramatically. The current situation relating to lighthouse visitor management, and lighthouse tourism activities, in New Zealand is explored. This is contrasted with lighthouse visitor management and lighthouse tourism trends in Australia, the United Kingdom, and America. It was determined that since de-manning, New Zealand's lighthouse sites have suffered a variety of fates. There has been the development of some successful tourism activities, such as four wheel drive adventures, backpackers accommodation, and museum sites. Whilst in other areas, these sites have been totally neglected and subsequently vandalised. It is recommended that one overall authority should be appointed to oversee future lighthouse site usage. This authority needs to undertake a fundemental significance assessment of each lighthouse site, to determine the feasibility of adaptively reusing these cultural resources for tourism purposes, whilst preserving those features of core heritage and cultural value. Initiating public interest and enthusiasm for lighthouse sites, internationally, has resulted in support for fundraising, volunteer efforts, historical site research, and the development of tourism opportunities. Internet web sites have been used as a successful medium for marketing, networking and capturing public interest on a national and global basis. The Historic Heritage Management Review currently being undertaken by the government should provide a good basis for future management of our lighthouse sites.