End of an era at Kiwi Valley

The Parks may be moving on but, as Kylie Munro reports, they are determined Kiwi Valley will continue bringing country life to the city
Kathy and Larry Park won't be singing the nursery rhyme Old MacDonald for much longer ? but it's a tune the couple won't forget. The owners of Kiwi Valley, a West Auckland tourist attraction offering a hands-on farming experience, are selling up. Tenders have closed, sale negotiations are underway and new owners will soon be setting muddied boots on the 7.2ha of paddocks at the foot of the Waitakere Ranges. It's the end of an era for the pair of animal lovers who have brought a touch of country life to city dwellers for almost 20 years. Kiwi Valley started six years ago as just a cottage and a shed. Now it boasts farm tours, a functions centre, riding school, stunt school, maze and leased country kindy and cafe. An average 3500 visitors flock to the rustic farm each month and annual revenue tops $400,000. Before Kiwi Valley, the Parks took their animals on the road with Old MacDonald's Travelling Farmyard, now incorporated in Kiwi Valley, and then bought 2ha off Metcalfe Rd. Kiwi Valley was born to give urban families a chance to experience country life without leaving the city. The country kindy was the first arm of business to open, giving parents a unique child care option. ''We were aware of the social need and aware of the lack of environment for kids in the city to grow up in and run around in,'' says Kathy. Traditional tourism additions followed, the most recent a gift shop, and in 2001 and 2002 the valley won the BNZ Waitakere Eco City Business Award for best tourism attraction. The reason for selling is simple. ''We want to take a 360 degree look at life,'' says Kathy. ''It's not as long as it used to be and we want to be free to choose what we want to do.'' Kathy admits leaving Kiwi Valley will be tinged with sadness, but promises the touch of country in the city will continue. ''It's our goal to see Kiwi Valley continue forward as a leading tourism attraction,'' she says. ''Our focus is finding the right person to continue that vision and we've got a lot of interest from people with that goal in mind.