KEY POINTS:
Atiu Creek Farm was a scrub-covered Kaipara back block 50 years ago; today it looks like a groomed English estate with exotic and native trees cradling fields that gently roll down to a placid harbour.
From one of many grassy knolls, you see the farm's tree-filled gully system stretching far into the distance; some gullies lead to tidal creeks where mullet jump and shags gulp down their prey.
Thin crescents of shelly beaches and silver flashes of water mark the boundaries of other farms on peninsulas of the Kaipara Harbour's shores and, to the north, lie the blue Brynderwyn Hills.
Not a piece of corrugated iron or rusting implement can be seen on any of its 843ha.
Buildings are brick and tile. Even the big woolshed is made of cool, solid concrete and, unusually, has a cafeteria-standard lunchroom and efficient ventilation and effluent flushing systems.
Tomorrow, the people of the nation, who are now the owners of Atiu Creek Farm, get a chance to preview its charms ahead of its opening next March as an Auckland regional park.
Earlier in the day, guests of the Oruawharo Marae, the council and the couple who donated the property, Pierre and Jackie Chatelanat, will gather for the unveiling of two pou tangatatiaki (symbolic carved poles) at the newly created public carpark.
The Chatelanats, who are in their mid-70s, were unavailable to talk yesterday but ARC councillors say they are delighted at the first public showing of their beloved old farm on the Okahukura Peninsula.
Its isolation and beauty attracted the British-born man to buy the property in 1952 and he was years ahead of the times in implementing sustainable farming practices.
Old trees were logged but gullies were fenced off from stock to let bush regenerate.
For many years, Mr Chatelanat worked abroad to help refugees and as a volunteer adviser in undeveloped countries for the Food and Agriculture Organisation.
He met his wife at the FAO headquarters in Rome and they retired to the farm in 1998, where they live in a house they have built.
Last July, the ARC took over the property, valued at between $10 million and $15 million, the biggest of its farm parks.
The principal ranger for ARC northern parks, Mathew Vujcich, said farm buildings and fences were of the highest standard and it was an attractive area with woodlots and native bush including kauri.
Although the park did not have sandy beaches like so many others in the network, he thought it would be popular for other reasons.
"I think people want to escape the city, they want a change in pace, scenery and [to] enjoy natural things and have their social occasions.
"The parks are all different but Atiu Creek has that wow factor when you come over the hill to the public entrance. You say, 'Look at the scale of that,' and you can see all of that vista."
Parks chairman Sandra Coney said the park would be a place for quiet and casual recreation and activities such as camping, horse riding and mountain biking.
It will continue as a working farm and has to be prepared for safe use by visitors so they will have access, drinking water, toilets and camping sites.
An excellent site for camping, flat and sheltered, has been identified near the harbour edge about 6km away from the new carpark. By next year, basic toilet facilities will be available for visitors but campers will not be encouraged until toilets can be provided at that site, possibly in 2010.
Atiu Creek Farm
* The farm is at Run Rd, Okahukura Peninsula, 20km west of Wellsford, Rodney District.
* It is a 115km, 90-minute drive from central Auckland.
* The 843ha are divided into pasture, native bush and woodlots. Several former pa sites are also on the property.
* Its attractions include wide open spaces, picturesque landscapes and views of the Kaipara Harbour.
* It will open as a park in March next year.
* The public will have a chance to preview the future park from 11am tomorrow.
