Dog Island Lighthouse
The Dog Island Lighthouse in 2011 with its distinctive stripes
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 New Zealand
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| Location | Dog Island, Foveaux Strait, New Zealand |
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| Coordinates | 46°39′07″S 168°24′38″E / 46.65190°S 168.4105°ECoordinates: 46°39′07″S 168°24′38″E / 46.65190°S 168.4105°E |
| Year first constructed | 1865 |
| Automated | 1989 |
| Construction | stone tower |
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern |
| Markings / pattern | white tower with two black bands, black lantern dome |
| Height | 36 metres (118 ft) |
| Focal height | 46 metres (151 ft) |
| Light source | solar power |
| Range | 19 nautical miles (35 km; 22 mi) |
| Characteristic | FI W 10s. |
| Admiralty number | K4394 |
| NGA number | 5428 |
| ARLHS number | NZL-019 |
| Managing agent | Maritime New Zealand |
| Official name | Dog Island Lighthouse |
| Designated | 22 November 1984 |
| Reference no. | 395 |
The Dog Island Lighthouse on Dog Island in Foveaux Strait is New Zealand's tallest lighthouse, and one of its oldest. It is notable for its masonry construction, and is a work example by an engineer who was prominent at the time. The lighthouse employed the first revolving beam in New Zealand, and the unique original light apparatus was in use for 60 years. Dog Island Lighthouse is one of the most distinct lighthouses in New Zealand, with only two others having stripes painted on it for better daytime-conspicuity. The lighthouse is registered by Heritage New Zealand as a Category I structure, and the adjacent lighthouse keepers cottage has a Category II registration. Originally operated by three lighthouse keepers, the structure has since 1989 been remote controlled from Maritime New Zealand's Wellington office, with Dog Island since having been uninhabited. Dog Island Lighthouse has twice featured on New Zealand stamps.
It was clear that a lighthouse was needed in Foveaux Strait, but there were long discussions in the 1860s where to place it. Captains with local experience were asked for their opinion, and they suggested possible sites on Centre Island, Ruapuke Island, Stewart Island, Solander Islands, and Dog Island. The latter was chosen as Southland's first site for a lighthouse; the recommendation was made the by the Invercargill Harbour Master to James Alexander Robertson Menzies, the first Superintendent of the Southland Province. The Harbour Master's rationale was that the island was dangerous, as "it is very low and not seen till close upon it". At the time, the Southland Province had just split from Otago Province, and both provincial governments were involved. There was confusion over who would take ownership of the situation, and in the end, the central government assumed responsibility for the construction of all lighthouses throughout the colony.
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