Remarkable gift to people of NZ entrusted to ARC

4 October 2005

A remarkable property on the Kaipara Harbour has been gifted to the Auckland Regional Council (ARC) so that New Zealanders may always enjoy its unique attributes.

The owners of Atiu Creek Farm, situated on the Kaipara Harbour west of Wellsford, decided to gift the property to the ARC so that it can be protected in perpetuity and managed as parkland for the people of New Zealand.

The farm's owners, Pierre and Jackie Chatelanat, wish to preserve and protect this area of the Kaipara Harbour from development and to provide public access to the land.

Their spokesman, Robbie Gimblett, Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers, says their vision is to secure protection for the property's natural and cultural heritage.

"The Chatelanats want New Zealanders to enjoy the benefits and the access to the Kaipara Harbour the property provides," he says.

ARC Chairman Michael Lee says the gift of Atiu Creek Farm is on a scale not seen for many decades.

"The ARC is honoured that the Chatelanats have chosen it as the recipient of this extraordinary gift. On behalf of the people of the region, the Council thanks them for giving their life's work so that others may always share it.

"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. I would like to thank the QEII Trust for recommending the ARC as the appropriate agency to manage this property as part of the regional parks network," he says.

ARC Parks and Heritage Committee Chair Sandra Coney says Atiu Creek Farm shows the benefits of 53 years of dedication and commitment from the owners and is excellent condition.

"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.

"Atiu Creek Farm offers 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," Cr Coney says.

The ARC will take ownership of the property, the region's 23rd regional park, on 1 July 2006. It will be the region's third largest regional park - after Waitakere Ranges Regional Park and Hunua Ranges Regional Park - and the largest single-title regional park.

Atiu Creek Farm is expected to be formally opened in 2011, following necessary development work.

ENDS

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