Aucklanders are invited to visit Cornwall Park Farm during Farm Week.
Aucklanders are invited to visit Cornwall Park Farm during Farm Week.
Aucklanders should dust off their gumboots because the country is coming to town.
From March 14 to 22, Cornwall Park Farm is hosting Farm Week – seven days of activities centred on farming, agriculture and the farm’s heritage on the site.
Cornwall Park Farm manager Peter Maxwell said a workingfarm had been operating on the site since 1844.
The farm is home to a herd of Simmental cattle and a flock of Perendale sheep, both noted for hardiness and relaxed temperaments.
“The farm is integral to the park and what makes it unique,” Maxwell said.
“We know by the numbers coming to our farm walks that there’s a strong interest in the farm and how it works.
“Given we’re a primary producing country, and rural life is the backbone of New Zealand, it’s no surprise people are interested in the farm.”
Cornwall Park chief executive Murray Reade said he wanted to create a greater understanding of the park’s agricultural heritage and build opportunities in agricultural education.
“Cornwall Park Farm Week aims to strengthen our connection to agriculture via education and learning.”
A flock of sheep relax in the shade at Cornwall Park Farm.
Reade said education had always been one of the core principles set out in the Trust Deed established by Sir John Logan Campbell – Cornwall Park’s founder – who gifted the park to the city in 1901.
“We’re also keen to help people understand the pre-colonial history of agriculture in the park because the land now holds the archaeological remnants of the early farming practices of Māori as well, which shape its lines and forms.”
Cornwall Park Farm employs three fulltime workers – including a farm apprentice - and has around four working farm dogs, highly trained and specifically bred to work in the unique setting.
Cornwall Park Farm Week events include Moo-sic in the Park, where visitors get to enjoy spending time with cows listening to music chosen by them.
Other activities include Farm to Fibre, which shows how the farm’s wool is used, and Meet the Machinery, which allows kids to check out the farm hardware.
There’s also Do Ewe No?, a paddock farm quiz, a farm walk and more.
