Atiu Creek (Auckland) Traditional Cache
TheCoddiwompler: I am regretfully archiving this cache since there's been no response from nor action by the cache owner within the time frame requested in the last reviewer note.
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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Now open to the public.
The farm was gifted to the ARC by Jackie and Pierre Chatelanat who
wanted to ensure that all New Zealanders could enjoy access to the
Kaipara Harbour and that the cultural and heritage values of the
area would be protected in perpetuity. In 2004, the Chatelanats
placed a QE II Open Space covenant on Atiu Creek Farm.
Atiu Creek became a Regional Park on July 1, 2006. The ARC will
develop the park as a countryside Regional Park, managed and
operated on the principles of protection, preservation and
enhancement of its natural and cultural values. This park was
officially opened to the public on Saturday 5 April 2008.
History
The cultural and historical assets of Atiu Creek are equally
impressive.
There are 17 known historic places on the farm plus a canoe portage
area and an abandoned nineteenth-century oyster farm adjacent to
the site.
The tangata whenua are Te Uri o Hau. There are numerous pa sites,
including the extensive ridge pa which defended the strategic Opou
Portage. The early European presence in the area is marked by the
remnants of a nineteenth-century settler camp.
Native bush
The park enjoys extensive harbour frontage and has large tracts of
native forest supporting a range of flora and fauna. In addition to
450 ha of easy, rolling grassed land, the property contains a
number of significant areas of native forest and wetlands in the
gullies.
It provides significant habitats for the three nationally
threatened bird species: the NZ dabchick, brown teal, and the North
Island brown kiwi.
Forest types present on Atiu Creek include regenerating kanuka
forest and scrubland, mature pohutukawa coastal forest, kauri
forest on the ridges, and totara forest with broadleaved forest in
the gullies.
On the prominent Kauri Point there are sequences of totara forest
on ridges to coastal pohutukawa-puriri forest to mangroves in the
estuary. The park has intact areas of coastal forest which are now
rare nationally.
Cache is a 35mm container. Just "pop off" the container. No need
to remove the lid from its position. Cache containers a logsheet
only, you will need to bring a pen, if you wish to sign the
logsheet.
Maybe bring your own cache with you, to place
down one of the many tracks, plenty of good spots in this wonderful
park!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
3eq bar sebz gbc
Treasures
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