Open day for new regional park

Mathew Vujcich, principal ranger for ARC northern parks, says Atiu Creek Farm will appeal to those who want to escape the city. Photo / Greg Bowker

Atiu Creek Farm was a scrub-covered Kaipara back block 50 years ago; today it looks like a groomed English estate with exotic and native trees cradling fields that gently roll down to a placid harbour.

From one of many grassy knolls, you see the farm's tree-filled gully system stretching far into the distance; some gullies lead to tidal creeks where mullet jump and shags gulp down their prey.

Thin crescents of shelly beaches and silver flashes of water mark the boundaries of other farms on peninsulas of the Kaipara Harbour's shores and, to the north, lie the blue Brynderwyn Hills.

Not a piece of corrugated iron or rusting implement can be seen on any of its 843ha.

Buildings are brick and tile. Even the big woolshed is made of cool, solid concrete and, unusually, has a cafeteria-standard lunchroom and efficient ventilation and effluent flushing systems.

Tomorrow, the people of the nation, who are now the owners of Atiu Creek Farm, get a chance to preview its charms ahead of its opening next March as an Auckland regional park.

Earlier in the day, guests of the Oruawharo Marae, the council and the couple who donated the property, Pierre and Jackie Chatelanat, will gather for the unveiling of two pou tangatatiaki (symbolic carved poles) at the newly created public carpark.

The Chatelanats, who are in their mid-70s, were unavailable to talk yesterday but ARC councillors say they are delighted at the first public showing of their beloved old farm on the Okahukura Peninsula.

Its isolation and beauty attracted the British-born man to buy the property in 1952 and he was years ahead of the times in implementing sustainable farming practices.

Old trees were logged but gullies were fenced off from stock to let bush regenerate.

For many years, Mr Chatelanat worked abroad to help refugees and as a volunteer adviser in undeveloped countries for the Food and Agriculture Organisation.

He met his wife at the FAO headquarters in Rome and they retired to the farm in 1998, where they live in a house they have built.

Last July, the ARC took over the property, valued at between $10 million and $15 million, the biggest of its farm parks.

The principal ranger for ARC northern parks, Mathew Vujcich, said farm buildings and fences were of the highest standard and it was an attractive area with woodlots and native bush including kauri.