PUPONGATECH

The Location

The site of Radar Unit 10 is at Pillar Point about 163 kilometres by road from Nelson via Takaka and Collingwood. The site is about 29 Km west of Farewell Spit lighthouse, on the Northwest coast of the New Zealand's South island.

The view toward Puponga from Pillar point light.

Visiting the site.

The site can be reached from Collingwood by taking the road to Farewell Spit and then leaving the road at Puponga and taking the road to "Wharariki Farm Park". Just 3.3 kilometres from the turn off at Puponga a signposted road off to the right leads up hill to the Pillar Point light. This sign indicates the walk to Pillar point will take 30 minutes, which is about right for an easy walk with some time left to visit the site of the barracks on the way up.

The road is not sealed and is rough in places, fine for 4WD vehicles. Other vehicles need to take great care. Try walking!
Vehicles are not allowed past the barracks site without official permission. The site is the official car park.

The Barracks Site

At the barracks site there are only concrete foundations remaining now including a flight of steps. The foundations for the generators are now on the road side above the main site.

All that remains of the generator site

We believe construction of the site was begun in about February 1942. Clearing of the site was done by a local contractor with a "bulldozer".

The barracks site as it is today. It is now the official carpark for visitors to the Pillar point light. Once home to 80 service men, there now remains only concrete foundations, and a flight of steps.

The Communication building had a direct telephone line to the national "filter" room in the the basement of the national museum building in faraway Wellington. In the comms building there was also a high power radio by R.C.A. type AT3, which had Phone and CW capability, with all the power that it's two 813 tubes could deliver.

The radar unit itself was state of the art and "secret", closely guarded at all times by armed guard. The "black and white" photograph shown here of the site was taken by a "local" person prior to occupation by the RNZAF. The photographer must have been either very brave or very naive. People were sent to prison for acts such as that in those days!

The Operations site

The operations site, with Farewell Spit seen clearly in the distance. The foundations are contained within the remnant of the "blast wall".

Enjoy the spectacular views, from the site of Pillar Point light an active and important marine navigation light. The radar operations site is just a few metres to the north east of the light. The "Blast wall" that protected the operations room can be seen along with the foundations which bore the not inconsiderable weight of the equipment. Immediately to the left of the site are some concrete foundations with iron rods poking out of them. These may have been the foundations for the scanner tower. Take great care not to obstruct the navigation light or cause it any damage, and be aware that amateur radio transmissions may affect the light's control system.

By Roger Wincer / ZL2RX

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Page up dated 21:39 14/10/02