Wellington’s wild south coast hides secrets, and for one teenager, a school trip to Pencarrow Lighthouse unlocks a mystery that could rewrite the city’s maritime past. On behalf of One Network Wellington Live, we share a tale of adventure, courage, and discovery, rooted in the rugged beauty of Te Whanganui-a-Tara. This story, sparked by the real legacy of Mary Bennett, New Zealand’s first female lighthouse keeper, invites Wellingtonians to explore their coastal heritage and the shadows beneath the waves.
On a blustery spring morning, 16-year-old Hana joins her classmates at Pencarrow Lighthouse, its white tower stark against stormy skies. The wind howls, rattling the old windows as their guide recounts Mary Bennett’s life in the 1880s. Hana, restless and curious, slips away to explore. In a dusty storeroom, she finds a leather journal, its pages brittle but alive with strange symbols. The words, penned by Mary herself, hint at a shipwreck off Red Rocks, carrying a cargo that could “change Wellington forever.” Hana’s pulse races. Her family’s fishing business, struggling to survive, might hold the key to this mystery.
Back home in Island Bay, Hana studies the journal. The symbols, a mix of nautical codes and Māori motifs, point to a hidden cove. Her cousin Tane, a kaumatua’s grandson, recognises the patterns from old Māori fishing tales. He speaks of a waka lost in a storm, its cargo sacred to local iwi. Hana wonders if Mary’s shipwreck connects to this legend. Together, they decide to crack the code, but Wellington’s weather turns fierce. A storm looms, threatening their plan. Yet, Hana feels Mary’s spirit urging her on, a woman who braved isolation to keep ships safe.
At dawn, Hana and Tane trek to Red Rocks, the rugged coast glowing crimson under clouds. Waves crash, spraying salt as they search for the cove. Hana clutches the journal, its final clue—a sketch of a rock shaped like a whale—guiding them. Near Houghton Bay, they spot it. A narrow cave, half-submerged, beckons. Tane hesitates, sensing tapu, but Hana’s resolve holds firm. Inside, they find rusted iron and a sealed chest, carved with Māori designs. Hana’s heart pounds. This could save her family’s business—or stir a colonial scandal.
As they pry open the chest, the storm breaks, rain lashing the rocks. Inside lies a pounamu pendant, pulsing with green light, and a letter from Mary. It reveals a grim truth: the shipwreck, a colonial trader, sank in 1887, hiding stolen Māori taonga to fund shady deals. Mary, torn by guilt, coded her journal to protect the truth. Hana and Tane realise the pendant belongs to local iwi, its return a chance to right a wrong. But the letter warns of powerful families, still influential in Wellington, who might fight to keep the secret buried.
Back in the city, Hana visits Te Papa, its maritime exhibits sparking ideas. She shows the pendant to a curator, who confirms its significance. The taonga, linked to Ngāti Toa, could heal old wounds. Yet, whispers of the discovery reach the wrong ears. A shady developer, tied to the colonial families, pressures Hana’s family to sell their fishing boat. Hana stands firm, rallying her community. Tane leads a hui at the local marae, where iwi elders bless the pendant’s return. The ceremony, filled with waiata, feels like a victory.
Wellington’s coast, from Pencarrow’s cliffs to Red Rocks’ shores, shapes this tale. For the sea, the story remains simple and engaging for all ages, with a young female protagonist who navigates storms and secrets to uncover a truth that could shift Wellington’s maritime history.
For Wellingtonians, this adventure offers a chance to explore Pencarrow Lighthouse or Red Rocks, where history whispers in the wind. Visit Te Papa for maritime tales, or join a local hui to learn about Māori fishing traditions. Hana’s story, set against Wellington’s stormy seas, shows how one girl’s courage can light the way. In 2025, walk the coast and feel the past come alive.