Southern Lights recounts the story of how New Zealand lighthouses were
established through the transfer of technology from Scotland to New
Zealand over a period of almost 90 years. This resulted in most of New
Zealand's lighthouses being fully or partially built using Scottish
materials and expertise. The major Scottish contribution was the
professional services provided by the firm founded by Robert Stevenson.
The firm of David and Thomas Stevenson took on the first commissions and
its successor companies over a period of 80 years were Consulting
Lighthouse Engineers to the New Zealand Government. They arranged
tenders, advised on technology, supervised manufacture and dispatch of
lighthouse components and stores, and much more, proving invaluable to
the New Zealand Agent-General in London. It was on this basis that in
the period 1859 to 1941, 38 major lighthouses were built; 30 of which
were constructed between 19865 and 1897. Thirty-three were built using
Scottish-designed and built lanterns and apparatus and Scottish-designed
lenses, although these were of French or English manufacture. Of the
other five, two were eventually replaced by Scottish lighthouses, two
were upgraded with Scottish technology and the fifth remains the sole
example of English lighthouse design, although in its time was supplied
with Scottish equipment. Scotland also supplied trained professionals
who manned the lights, designed and administered them.
