Celebrate the opening of Atiu Creek Regional Park on 5 April

28 March 2008

Atiu Creek Regional Park officially opens to the public on Saturday 5 April and everyone is invited to join in the celebrations.

ARC Parks and Heritage Committee Chair Sandra Coney says the opening of Atiu Creek Regional Park will be a great celebration and a wonderful opportunity for many to explore this new park for the first time.

“We want the people of the region to come and celebrate this wonderful gift and enjoy a day on the Kaipara,” she says.

Atiu Creek Farm was gifted to the people of New Zealand by Pierre and Jackie Chatelanat in October 2005. The 843 hectare property was entrusted to the ARC so that future generations may enjoy unspoilt access to this part of the Kaipara Harbour forever.

On opening day visitors will be able to explore the park and ranger-guided and self-guided walks will be on offer. A shuttle bus loop will allow people to ‘hop on and hop off’ and take in lookout points, farm machinery displays and a little of the history of the property. Gates open at 9.30am and entry to the park is free.

The Albertland Museum has kindly prepared a display, showcasing local history with a particular emphasis on Atiu Creek Regional Park.

The official opening ceremony will take place at 12.00pm with speeches by special guests and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque. This will be followed by lunch.

For visitors wishing to travel by the park car, the route from Wellsford will be well sign posted and parking is available.

Atiu Creek Farm is approximately 20 kilometres west of Wellsford on the Tapora Peninsula. Go to www.arc.govt.nz to download directions or phone 09 426 1200 for further information.

Visitors are also welcome to bring a picnic and come prepared for walking. Atiu Creek Regional Park is a vast property which requires time, energy and good footwear to explore! Walking tracks have been designed to suit all ages and abilities.

Atiu Creek Farm is protected by a QEII Trust open space covenant, and it is through the placing of this covenant that the ARC became involved.

The property lies on the Kaipara Harbour, on the Okahukura (Tapora) Peninsula. It enjoys an extensive harbour frontage and has large tracts of native forest and wetlands with a combination of open space and fantastic views. It is rich in both Maori and Pakeha cultural history, with significant pa and early settler sites.

Atiu Creek Regional Park is a working farm therefore no dogs are allowed on the park.

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About Atiu Creek Regional Park
- Atiu Creek Farm was gifted to the people of New Zealand and entrusted to the ARC on 5 October 2005 by Pierre and Jackie Chatelanat
- The title for the property transferred to the ARC on 1 July 2006
- The property will continue to operate as a farm and will be a farm park when it opens to the public
- The property was purchased by young British-born Pierre Chatelanat in 1951. He sold the majority of the block to the government for development as returned soldiers farms and retained the portion that became known as Atiu Creek Farm. An extensive programme of land clearance, fencing, roading, tree planting and building was carried out firstly by Pierre, and then by his farm managers and staff, creating an outstanding model farm.

Directions
• Atiu Creek Regional Park is a 113km or 90 minute drive from downtown Auckland.
• Journey north on SH1 to Wellsford and turn left onto Port Albert Road. Turn right at the intersection with SH16 and head toward the Port Albert settlement, turn left at the junction of Port Albert and Wharehine Roads. Follow Wharehine Road for a further 6km and turn right onto Run Road, Atiu Creek Regional Park is 5km on, on the right.

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