Castlepoint
Wellington
Castlepoint is located on Wairarapa’s east coast, 68 kilometres from Masterton. It was named in 1770 by
Captain Cook, who was struck by the similarities of Castle Rock to the battlements of a castle. With its fossil-rich
limestone reef and magnificent 162-metre high Castle Rock, Castlepoint is one of the most spectacular sites
along the Wairarapa coastline. Long stretches of beach and a sheltered lagoon provide opportunity for a variety
of water-based recreational activities, and the area has a rich natural history.
The reef, lagoon, sand dunes, and Castle Rock are all part of Castlepoint Scenic Reserve. As well as protecting
outstanding landforms, the reserve is the only location in the world where the rare Castlepoint daisy grows. The
shrubby daisy grows only on the crumbled limestone of the reef and Castle Rock. The reserve is also home to
New Zealand’s only endemic, poisonous spider, the katipo. Restoration work to preserve native dune plants
including spinifex, pïngao and sand daphne is also underway in the scenic reserve.
Several species of dolphin, numerous seabirds, fur seals, and occasionally small whale species can be seen off
the coast of the reserve. White-fronted terns, red-billed gulls, and black shags inhabit the south end of the reef,
and reef herons and black-backed gulls nest on the sheer cliffs of Castle Rock.
The Castlepoint lighthouse
Castlepoint’s lighthouse is the first sign of landfall for
Wellington-bound ships from Panama and America.
Since its first night of operation on 12 January,
1913, the lighthouse has become a Wairarapa icon,
recognised throughout New Zealand and the shipping
world.
Wellington Conservancy
Published by
Department of Conservation
Christchurch
2006
RS0044
In 1981, the Ministry of Transport reported that all
lighthouses in New Zealand could be automated,
but Castlepoint was one of ten lighthouses where
lightkeepers were considered essential. The
lightkeeper was retained until 1988, when the light
finally became fully automated.
Legends of Kupe
Tradition records that the first Polynesian explorers
led by Kupe coasted down the eastern shores of the
North Island and first landed at Rangi-Whakaoma
(Castlepoint) to replenish their food and water supply.
While at Castlepoint, the sea voyagers were reputed to
have startled a huge wheke (octopus) out of the cave
under the headland. A great battle with the octopus
(whose name was Muturangi) ensued, as the monster
tried to wrap his many long arms or feelers around the
canoes.
Kupe and his people were kept very busy chopping
the long arms off with their axes. After a long and
desperate battle the octopus gave in, and, bleeding
with its wounds, made off in a southerly direction into
Cook Strait where Kupe and his people caught up with
it in Tory Channel and killed it. The place where the kill
occurred was Wheke-nui (big octopus), as it is known
to this day.
Did you know?
Castlepoint is a great spot when the weather is
favourable but weather station records here show that
the Wairarapa coast is among the windiest spots in
New Zealand. Maximum wind speeds can be very high
during extreme weather events, with winds over
200 km/h recorded.
Visiting Castlepoint
This high-profile destination attracts around 50,000
visitors each year. Castlepoint is popular for swimming,
walking and fishing. If you plan to visit the reserve,
please remember:
•
Camping is not permitted in the reserve.
Castlepoint Motorcamp at the northern end of
the beach is the only place where camping is
permitted.
•
Motorcycles and other vehicles are not permitted
on the sand dunes.
•
•
Removal of fossils is not permitted.
•
•
Please keep dogs on a leash.
Please remove your litter when you leave and
recycle aluminium, glass, paper and plastic.
Do not disturb nesting birds.
For more information
Castlepoint daisy
For more information about Castlepoint, contact the
Department of Conservation’s Wairarapa Area Office
(phone 06 377 0700) or the Conservation Information
Centre in Wellington (phone 04 472 7356).