13/05/2026
Ātiu Creek is one of only two regional parks on the Kaipara Harbour - combining farming, predator and w**d control, and native restoration, while providing vital public access to the harbour.
The 845-hectare working farm was gifted to Auckland by Swiss philanthropists Pierre and Jackie Chatelanat in 2006 and opened as a regional park in 2008.
Today, Auckland Council is converting steep, erosion-prone farmland at Ātiu Creek Regional Park into native forest. This work forms part of Auckland Council’s 200-hectare Urban Ngahere programme, which focuses on reducing council’s carbon, as well as preventing runoff into the Kaipara Harbour, and boosting biodiversity.
An on-site nursery grows around 25,000 native plants a year with the help of volunteers, and the work is carried out in close partnership with local iwi Te Uri o Hau.
It's a practical, long-term approach to climate action rooted in place.
Image bottom right: Piere and Jackie Chatelanat at Ātiu Creek Regional Park 2005.