News

Agenda available

28 August 2025

Thanks to everyone who submitted feedback on this project

We received a total of 943 submissions about Tuawera Cave Rock mast lights, from 938 individuals and the following organisations and businesses:

  • Sumner Community Residents Association
  • Sumner Bowling Club
  • Cave Rock Guest House
  • Harcourts Sumner and Ferrymead
  • AW Architects

What you told us

Many submitters expressed positive sentiment about Tuawera Cave Rock, the mast and the lights, such as their enjoyment and what they mean to them and the community, as well as its historical, heritage, and maritime values to Sumner.


Schedule

When asked about the light frequency (daily except week of Matariki):

  • 788 supported the current frequency
  • 155 did not support the current frequency

When asked about the operating hours (daily from dusk until 11pm):

  • 683 supported the current hours
  • 142 supported a reduction
  • 118 supported an extension

Brightness and configuration
Submitters liked and/or felt comfortable with the lights:Submitters disliked and found problematic the lights:
  • Configuration not being religious (50)
  • Configuration being religious (36)
  • Illumination of the area to create a sense of safety (26)
  • Brightness due to presence of other lights (24)
  • Enjoyment/attraction for visitors (23)
  • Configuration being religious and inappropriate on public landmark (163)
  • Potential to cause issues for wildlife and/or human health (42)
  • Distraction from the natural environment, impeding views and enjoyment of the landscape and night sky (38)
  • Configuration not being aligned with the 1937/initial installation (23)
  • Deed Holder being a religious/Christian organisation (21)


Submitters made the following change requests:

  • Change the lighting configuration to highlight the mast and remove perceived religious symbolism (161)
  • Limit when the lights are turned on, such as public holidays only (81)
  • Remove them entirely (43)
  • Reduce their brightness (30)

You can read more about what we heard in the meeting agenda below, which includes the staff report. To read all the feedback we received, look at the submissions record below.

Changes we're proposing following public feedback

Staff considered different options for the operation of the mast lights and recommend negotiating a variation to the deed of accessibility to:

Meeting details and decision making process

A staff report recommending negotiating with the Deed Holder to vary the deed of accessibility will be presented to the Waihoro Spreydon-Cashmere-Heathcote Community Board.

Date: 28 August

Time: 4pm - 7pm

Venue: Linwood Board Room, 180 Smith Street - Gate B, Linwood

This is a public meeting and everyone is welcome. If you would like to speak at the meeting, please contact the Community Board Advisor, Jonathon Jones by emailing Jonathon.Jones@ccc.govt.nz or phoning 03 941 5563.

You can read the meeting agenda, including the staff report and any additional information online at councillive.ccc.govt.nz.

The final decision is recorded in the meeting minutes, available online three working days after the meeting.