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Northwesternmost tip of New Zealand
Photo: Copyright Richard Gallagher = en:User:Popsracer, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Cape Reinga (Te Reinga or Te Rerenga Wairua in Māori) is the northwesternmost tip of the Aupouri Peninsula, at the northern end of the North Island of New Zealand. It is 110 km north of the town of Kaitaia. State Highway 1 extends all the way to the Cape and suitable vehicles can alternatively travel much of the way via Ninety Mile Beach and Te Paki stream bed.
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The lighthouse at Cape Reinga was built in 1941 and first lit during May of that year, replacing a lighthouse on nearby Motuopao Island, which had been built 1879. In 1987, the lighthouse was fully automated and the lighthouse keepers were withdrawn. The previous 1000-watt light has since been replaced with a 50-watt flashing beacon. The lighthouse is about 15 minutes walk from the carpark.
This is the last stop to buy food and fuel.
It is extremely popular with mosquitoes – they don't carry diseases, but their bites are irritating, so take insect repellent.
A fairly basic DOC campsite. Very popular with mosquitoes, though they are even more prolific at Kapowairua.
State Highway 1 runs the length of the peninsula from Kaitaia to Cape Reinga. Ninety Mile Beach is also used as a road, but it is only viable for 4WD vehicles.
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Awanui · Regional · KAT
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