Source: Radio New Zealand
Cornwall Park is home to 300 ewes. Cornwall Park
Aucklanders can get a taste of the country in their own back yard this weekend as Cornwall Park opens up its working farm.
Established in 1844 the farm currently has 300 perindale ewes and 60 head of cattle.
Farm manager Peter Maxwell said while the public could walk through the farm whenever they like – it was opening its gates for ‘Farm Week’.
The week long celebration starting on Saturday would include ‘moo-sic in the park’ where the public could chill and listen to music with the cows, a farm walk and kids would be able to check out the farm machinery.
Maxwell said a favourite part of his job was interacting with the public.
“Lots of people ask questions, the other day someone asked where the animals are trucked to every night, I don’t think people realise they are born here and live here, this is a working farm.”
He said running a farm in the middle of the country’s biggest city obviously meant it had some different logistics to other farms.
“It’s a park so people walk their dogs through here, if they are off the leash it can cause some issues, then there’s a lot more noise and fireworks but the animals get used to that pretty quickly.
“The farm is integral to the park and what makes it unique. We’re confident that having a working farm in the middle of a city is rare around the world. We haven’t found many examples in our research so far – certainly not one as long standing as Cornwall Park Farm.”
Maxwell is hopeful ‘Farm Week’ would encourage an interest in farming for city kids.
“We know by the numbers coming to our farm walks that there’s a strong interest in the farm and how it works. Given we’re a primary producing country – and rural life is the backbone of New Zealand – it it’s no surprise people are interested in the farm.”
One of the 60 cows who call Cornwall Park home. Cornwall Park
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
