The Lights in My Life by Ray Walter

Edited by Anne Rimmer

Published by Lynda Walter in 2025

• 252 pages
• 152 x 228mm, paperback
• Over 80 historic images

Ray Walter’s entertaining memoirs, related in a relaxed, chatty style, are also an invaluable record of the era of manned lighthouses in New Zealand. 

A noted raconteur, Ray regales us with tales of hardships, accidents, shipwrecks, and, above all, hilarious happenings at lighthouse stations around NZ’s rugged coastline. The book is illustrated by contemporary photographs. 

Despite his humble origins during the depression and war years, and being largely unschooled, Ray Walter’s energy, resourcefulness, and natural leadership saw him promoted to Principal Keeper at the age of 23. He served at eight lighthouse stations – from the remote Moko Hinau Islands in the north, to notorious Puysegur Point in Fiordland. 

The automation of the Tiritiri Lighthouse in 1984 ended Ray’s lighthouse career. Transferring to conservation, he managed the restoration of Tiritiri Matangi Island until he retired in 2006. Ray dictated these memories of his colourful lighthouse life when in his eighties; he died in 2023.

All proceeds from the sale of this book will go to the Ray Walter Fund.

Shipping options, self select at checkout from:

• NZ Post courier + tracking
• Rural NZ Post courier + tracking
• Collect on Island from shop

We charge a flat rate for the courier so if you choose to purchase additional items you don't pay anything extra for postage.