New park may open years early

The Kaipara Harbour farm just given to the nation may be open for camping and walking well before the 2011 date scheduled for a formal opening.

In announcing the gift of the 843ha property by Pierre and Jackie Chatelanat this week, the Auckland Regional Council said it could not open as a regional park until 2011.

But ARC parks chairman Sandra Coney said yesterday that was the date the park would be fully opened.

The council would take over the property next July, boosting its network of farm parks by 50 per cent.

Between then and 2011 there would be opportunities for people to visit the property and these would gradually grow as facilities were provided.

"The ARC and the Chatelanats are keen to see people using the land.

"It may be that we don't open it for 52 weeks a year for a few years but we will have open days and excursions and, say, summer camping. It's such a big property it needs lots of toilets."

Parks director Lance Vervoort said it was a working farm and would have to be made safe for visitors.

Planning for its development as a park would take in views of the public and neighbours.

Works would have to fit in with the budget which would soon cover 23 regional parks.

It usually took two to five years before a park was fully open to the public but that did not stop people from visiting, said Mr Vervoort.

The future park is on the Tapora Peninsula of the harbour's northeast, about 20km west of Wellsford.

It has a long frontage on the Oruawharo River and Ms Coney said it was rich in scenery and natural and cultural heritage. A third of the property is in bush, including kauri, totara and pohutukawa.

It could offer one or more basic camping sites and opportunities for a variety of walks as well as fishing, kayaking, horse treks and mountain biking. A spokesman for Ngati Whatua and the neighbouring Oruawharo Marae, Thomas de Thierry, said local Maori were taken aback by the generosity of the Chatelanats.

The property contained the Atiu Pa site and its terraces, trenches and kumara pits could be recognised.

"We are much relieved the property will be reserved for all and not be subdivided."

Spokeswoman for Guardians of the Kaipara Linda Clapham said Pierre Chatelanat had nurtured the property for more than 50 years and it was a magnificent farm.

"The property will raise awareness of the beauty of the Kaipara Harbour and how special it is because its qualities are subtle and different to that of the East Coast harbours."