Community Board Votes on Future of Historic Cave Rock Lights

A Christchurch community board has voted to maintain the current operating hours of the historic lights atop Cave Rock while exploring potential changes to their configuration. The decision follows a heated public discussion on Thursday, where residents voiced strong opinions regarding the lights’ significance and symbolism in the seaside suburb of Sumner.

Originally erected in 1864 as a maritime signal, the mast atop Cave Rock has a storied history. It was illuminated for the first time in May 1937 to celebrate the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Over the years, the lights have marked several notable events, including the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, as well as community traditions like Easter and Anzac Day.

In 1961, the Sumner Lifeboat Institute took over the signal station, which was transformed into a lifeboat control tower. After sustaining damage from the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, the lights fell into disrepair and were removed during the station’s restoration in 2016. A new agreement established in 2020 with the Christian charity Breakfree Foundation allowed for the installation of solar-powered lights, which were completed in 2021.

The community’s response to the new lights was mixed. Concerns regarding their brightness and perceived religious symbolism prompted the Waihoro Spreydon-Cashmere-Heathcote Community Board to conduct public consultations earlier this year, generating almost 950 submissions. Most respondents supported keeping the lights operational from dusk until 23:00, except during Matariki.

At the meeting, board members were presented with three options: to reduce the hours and reconfigure the lights, to retain the same hours while making adjustments, or to limit the lights to special occasions. Many attendees expressed disappointment that the report did not include an option to maintain the status quo, which had received significant community backing.

Board chair Callum Ward acknowledged the contentious nature of the debate, stating, “The community really identifies with its maritime identity, and there were enough people in the community that felt alienated by what appeared to be a Christian cross.” The board ultimately voted on an amended recommendation to keep the current hours, formalize the lights being off during Matariki, and explore alternative lighting options with less environmental impact.

Concerns regarding funding for potential changes remain unresolved. The staff report estimated the cost of reconfiguring the lights at $18,975, noting that Breakfree Foundation has no available funding for additional installations. Ward indicated that discussions with Breakfree Foundation would determine the next steps, stating, “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

The issue may not be resolved immediately, as any changes to the contract with Breakfree Foundation will require mutual agreement. Ward expressed hope that the resolution would lead to healing within the community, which has experienced division over the lights. “I really hope this is a bit of a line in the sand for Sumner,” he said, emphasizing the importance of the lights to the local identity.

The Breakfree Foundation, established in 2019, aims to advance Christian initiatives and has faced scrutiny from community members concerned about its influence over a landmark in a predominantly secular environment. The outcome of the board’s decision highlights the ongoing tension between preserving historical symbols and addressing community sentiments.