Nugget Point

Nugget Point is a cape on the coast of New Zealand's Otago region and a station on the Southern Scenic Route. It lies at the northern end of the Catlins and is accessible from the settlement Kaka Point on the road. On the steep cape is a lighthouse. The cape is surrounded by several rocks, the " nuggets ". At the Cape are home to many seabirds such as penguins, gannets and spoonbills and there is a large colony of New Zealand fur seals.

Lighthouse

Built in 1869 the lighthouse is 76 m above sea level. It was automated and operated by Maritime 1989 New Zealand.

Proposal for a Marine Protected Area

During the 47 hectares of the Cape are under protection, there is no special protection for the surrounding marine area. The establishment of a marine reserve has been proposed twice by the Department of Conservation. Many of the small communities in the area, which still partially survive on fishing, directed against these efforts. Also lobby organizations Fischereindustrie as the Seafood Industry Council have argued against it. On the other hand, many scientists at the University of Otago support a reserve. The second proposal of the DOC will provide less area under protection as the original. The Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society has made its own proposals that want to protect more than three times bigger.