Ambury Regional Park

Lava flow at Ambury Regional Park

Location| New Zealand
Coordinates| 36°56′53″S 174°45′58″E﻿ / ﻿36.9480023°S 174.7662014°E﻿ / -36.9480023; 174.7662014
Area| 85 hectares (210 acres)
Operated by| Auckland Council
Open| Pedestrian access: 24 hours
Daylight saving gate hours: 6am-9pm
Regular gate hours: 6am-7pm

Ambury Regional Park (also known as Ambury Farm) is a regional park situated on the coast of Manukau Harbour, in Auckland in New Zealand's North Island. It is situated in the suburb of Māngere Bridge and in the local board area of Māngere-Ōtāhuhu, to the west of Māngere Mountain.[1]

The park is a working sheep and dairy farm with a woolshed and milking shed. There are also goats, cows, pigs, chickens, turkey, rabbits and peacocks.[2][3] Areas of the park are leased to the Mangere Pony Club, and the Ambury Park Centre for Riding Therapy, a charity which opened in 1985, which provides physiological and psychological therapy through horse riding.[4][5]

The parks hosts the Ambury Farm Day each year. It is the largest annual event organised by Auckland Council,[6] and gives families free access to a working farm.[7]

## Geography

[edit]

The park covers 85 hectares (210 acres) of low-lying volcanic land on the shores of the upper Manukau Harbour.[8] It includes both camping coastline, grazed farming paddocks, wetlands, saltmarshes and small areas of native forest.[9][10]

Much of Ambury Regional Park formed approximately 50,000 years ago, during an eruption of Māngere Mountain.[10] There are several examples of basalt lava flows, originating from the Māngere Mountain about 18,000 years ago. Most other lava flows around Auckland have been destroyed during urban development.[11]

## Biodiversity

[edit]

Large numbers of migratory shorebirds visit Ambury Regional Park and the surrounding areas of the Manukau Harbour, with an estimated number of 28,000 tōrea and 1,200 ngutuparore (wrybills) migrating north from the South Island after breeding over the winter. During summer months, an estimated 12,000 kuaka (bar-tailed godwits) and 9,000 huahou (red knots) spend summer months in the vicinity of the park.[10] Kōtuku ngutupapa (royal spoonbill) also migrate to the area.[11] Birdwatchers have identified a total of 86 birds in the park including little shags, and white-faced herons.[12]

In 2015, a vegetation survey identified 40 native species in Ambury Regional Park, including the nationally vulnerable species Geranium retrorsum,[10] and oioi-coastal needle grass, only rarely seen in saline volcanic soil in the Auckland Region.[11][10]

## History

[edit]

There is an extensive history of Māori settlement in the Māngere Mountain area, and there are 95 archaeological sites around the park.[13] During the mid-19th century, the area was converted to farmland. In 1882, the Ambury English & Co milk company established a creamery on a 260 acres (110 ha) farm on Wallace Road.[14]

In the late 1960s, the Māngere sewage treatment was established on the shores of the Manukau Harbour. Over 500 hectares (1,200 acres) of oxidation ponds were decommissioned, 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) of shoreline were restored, beaches were constructed, and 27,000 trees were planted in New Zealand's largest coastal restoration project, which was officially completed in 2005.[13] During the 1960s, the Auckland Regional Authority purchased land adjacent to the Māngere sewage treatment plant as a buffer.[14] From une 1973, local community groups were able to user the land, and in 1977 an educational farm was established at the site.[14] Ambury Regional Park was officially opened on 26 September 1987.[14]

In 1985, a fuel pipeline between Marsden Point and Auckland Airport was laid through the park. The route is marked by white fenceposts, farm gate tags and triangular marine markers.[9]

In December 1986, the Ambury Regional Park was the site of a large-scale Mongrel Mob convention, where over 300 members attended, during which gang members helped complete the rock retaining walls along the Manukau waterfront.[15] A kidnapping and sexual assault at this event became national news.[16]

The annual Ambury Farm Day began in 1988.[6] By 2009, 35,000 people attended the event.[7] By the early 2000s, the park had become a popular school excursion, with 3-4 schools booked per week visiting the working farm.[4]

A new concept plan for the park was developed in 2009, which included linking it up to nearby walk and cycling tracks. By that stage, 25,000 people were visiting the park each year outside of the annual farm day.[17] By the late 2010s, around 400,000 people had begun visiting the park annually.[10]

## Recreation

[edit]

There are a range of facilities, including public toilets and barbecues.[1] The campground can accommodate up to 60 people.[3][18]

## Transport

[edit]

The park is connected by walkway and cycleway to the Māngere Bridge to Onehunga in the north-east along Kiwi Esplanade,[19] and the Ihumātao to the south.[20] It is within walking distance to the nearest bus stop,[21] and the nearest train station is Onehunga railway station.[19]

## Gallery

[edit]

* A clydesdale horse at Ambury Regional Park.

* Nesting area for birds at the park.

* A bull hidden behind a drystone wall at the park.

* South Island oystercatchers at Ambury Regional Park.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Ambury Regional Park". aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. Auckland Council.
2. ^ "Ambury Farm Path". aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. Auckland Council.
3. ^ a b "Best parks to take kids in Auckland". rnz.co.nz. Radio New Zealand.
4. ^ a b Payne, Val (2005). "Ambury Regional Farm Park". Celebrating Mangere Bridge. Mangere Historical Society. pp. 110–113\. ISBN 0-476-00941-3.
5. ^ Payne, Val (2005). "Ambury Park RDA Centre". Celebrating Mangere Bridge. Mangere Historical Society. pp. 97–100\. ISBN 0-476-00941-3.
6. ^ a b "Ambury Farm Day to return in 2019". Auckland Council. Our Auckland. 3 October 2018.
7. ^ a b Colquhoun, Jessie (8 October 2010). "Heaps of fun for all at farm open day". stuff.co.nz. Manukau Courier.
8. ^ Harrowell, Chris (30 March 2017). "Ambury Regional Park receives coveted Green Flag Award". stuff.co.nz. Stuff Environment.
9. ^ a b Maude, Simon (24 October 2017). "Suburban surprise: Auckland's kilometres-long buried fuel pipeline". stuff.co.nz.
10. ^ a b c d e f Te Mahere Whakahaere i ngā Papa Rēhia ā-Rohe: Regional Parks Management Plan 2022 (PDF) (Report). Auckland Council. September 2022. pp. 179–189. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
11. ^ a b c "Conservation Auckland". tiakitamakimakaurau.nz. Auckland Council.
12. ^ "Ambury Regional Park - Auckland". myguideauckland.com. My Guide Auckland.
13. ^ a b "Ambury Park: Birdlife rises from sea of waste". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. The New Zealand Herald. 11 November 2011.
14. ^ a b c d History of Regional Parks and their names (PDF) (Report). Auckland Council. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
15. ^ Payne, Val. "Community Policing". Celebrating Mangere Bridge. Mangere Historical Society. pp. 105–110\. ISBN 0-476-00941-3.
16. ^ "12 December 1986". Manukau's Journey - Ngā Tapuwae o Manukau. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections. MJ_5645. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
17. ^ Udanga, Romy (24 July 2009). "Camping plan at Ambury Park". stuff.co.nz. Manukau Courier.
18. ^ Hutt, Kendall (28 August 2019). "Father's Day 2019: free or cheap things to do in Auckland with your dad". stuff.co.nz. Stuff Travel.
19. ^ a b Freeman, Leonie (23 September 2017). "Best weekend train/walk/bike/beer/coffee combos". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. The New Zealand Herald.
20. ^ "Kiwi Esplanade Walkway". aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. Auckland Council.
21. ^ "A day out in Auckland for cost of a public transport fare". Auckland Council. Our Auckland. 20 June 2017.

* v
* t
* e

Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board Area, Auckland, New Zealand

Populated places|

* Airport Oaks
* Favona
* Ihumātao
* Māngere
* Māngere Bridge
* Māngere East
* Ōtāhuhu

Geographic features|

* Boggust Park Crater
* Crater Hill
* Harania Creek
* Māngere Inlet
* Māngere Lagoon
* Māngere Mountain
* Manukau Harbour
* Maungataketake
* Ngarango Otainui Island
* Oruarangi Creek
* Pukaki Creek
* Pukaki Lagoon
* Pukeiti
* Puketutu Island
* Robertson Hill
* Waitomokia
* Wiroa Island

Facilities and attractions|

* Ambury Regional Park
* Auckland Airport
* Butterfly Creek
* Centre Park
* Kiwi Esplanade
* Māngere Arts Centre - Ngā Tohu o Uenuku
* Manukau Harbour Crossing (Māngere Bridge)
* Ōtuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve
* Portage Road (Te Toangakiōtāhuhu / Te Tō Waka)
* St James Anglican Church
* Te Puea Memorial Marae

Government|

* Auckland Council
* Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board
* Manukau Ward
* Manukau City Council (defunct)

Organisations|

* Hubbard Foods
* Mangere East Hawks
* Mangere United
* Manukau Rovers RFC
* Manukau United FC
* Onehunga Mangere United AFC
* Otahuhu United
* Villa Maria Estates

* v
* t
* e

Auckland Council

Wards
Local Boards
Local Subdivisions|

| Albany Ward|

| Hibiscus and Bays Local Board|

* East Coast Bays Subdivision
* Hibiscus Coast Subdivision

|

Upper Harbour Local Board|

* n/a

Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa Ward|

| Albert-Eden Local Board|

* Maungawhau Subdivision
* Ōwairaka Subdivision

|

Puketāpapa Local Board|

* n/a

Franklin Ward|

| Franklin Local Board|

* Pukekohe Subdivision
* Wairoa Subdivision
* Waiuku Subdivision

|

Howick Ward|

| Howick Local Board|

* Botany Subdivision
* Howick Subdivision
* Pakuranga Subdivision

|

Manukau Ward|

| Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board|

* n/a

|

Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board|

* Papatoetoe Subdivision
* Ōtara Subdivision

Manurewa-Papakura Ward|

| Manurewa Local Board|

* n/a

|

Papakura Local Board|

* n/a

Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Ward|

| Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board|

* Maungakiekie Subdivision
* Tāmaki Subdivision

|

North Shore Ward|

| Devonport-Takapuna Local Board|

* n/a

|

Kaipātiki Local Board|

* n/a

Ōrākei Ward|

| Ōrākei Local Board|

* n/a

|

Rodney Ward|

| Rodney Local Board|

* Dairy Flat Subdivision
* Kumeū Subdivision
* Warkworth Subdivision
* Wellsford Subdivision

|

Waitākere Ward|

| Henderson-Massey Local Board|

* n/a

|

Waitākere Ranges Local Board|

* n/a

Waitematā and Gulf Ward|

| Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board|

* n/a

|

Waiheke Local Board|

* n/a

Waitematā Local Board|

* n/a

Whau Ward|

| Whau Local Board|

* n/a

|

Regional parks|

* Ambury
* Ātiu Creek
* Auckland Botanic Gardens
* Āwhitu
* Duder
* Glenfern Sanctuary
* Hunua Ranges
* Long Bay
* Mahurangi
* Motukorea Browns Island
* Muriwai
* Mutukaroa / Hamlins Hill
* Ōmana
* Orere Point
* Pākiri
* Scandrett
* Shakespear
* Tāpapakanga
* Tāwharanui
* Tawhitokino
* Te Ārai
* Te Muri
* Te Rau Pūriri
* Waharau
* Waitākere Ranges
* Waitawa
* Wenderholm
* Whakanewha
* Whakatīwai

Former councils|

* Rodney
* North Shore City
* Waitakere City
* Auckland City
* Manukau City
* Papakura
* Franklin

* v
* t
* e

Protected areas of New Zealand

Conservation parks|

* Ahuriri
* Aorangi
* Aotea
* Catlins
* Coromandel
* Craigieburn
* Eyre Mountains/Taka Ra Haka
* Hakatere
* Hāwea
* Hanmer
* Kaimai Mamaku
* Kaimanawa
* Kaweka
* Ka Whata Tu O Rakihouia
* Korowai / Torlesse Tussocklands
* Lake Sumner
* Mavora Lakes
* Mount Richmond
* Northland
* North-west Nelson
* Oteake
* Pirongia
* Pureora
* Remutaka
* Ruahine
* Raukumara
* Ruataniwha
* Tararua
* Te Kahui Kaupeka
* Te Papanui
* Victoria
* Whakarewarewa
* Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne

Ecological islands|

* Brook Waimārama Sanctuary
* Bushy Park
* Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari
* Orokonui Ecosanctuary
* Tawharanui Open Sanctuary
* Zealandia

Government purpose reserves|

* Pāuatahanui Wildlife Reserve
* Pukaha / Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre

Historic reserves|

* Hāpūpū / J M Barker
* Maungauika / North Head
* Puhi Kai Iti / Cook Landing Site
* Stony Batter
* Te Kuri a Paoa/Young Nick's Head

Marine reserves|

* Akaroa
* Auckland Islands
* Cape Rodney-Okakari Point
* Hautai
* Hawea (Clio Rocks)
* Hikurangi
* Horoirangi
* Kahukura (Gold Arm)
* Kahurangi
* Kapiti
* Kermadec Islands
* Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm)
* Long Bay-Okura
* Long Island-Kokomohua
* Moana Uta (Wet Jacket Arm)
* Motu Manawa-Pollen Island
* Moutere Hauriri / Bounty Islands
* Moutere Ihupuku / Campbell Island
* Moutere Mahue / Antipodes Island
* Parininihi
* Piopiotahi (Milford Sound)
* Pohatu / Flea Bay
* Poor Knights Islands
* Punakaiki
* Taipari Roa (Elizabeth Island)
* Tapuae
* Taputeranga
* Taumoana (Five Finger Peninsula)
* Tauparikākā
* Tāwharanui
* Te Angiangi
* Te Awaatu Channel (The Gut)
* Te Hapua (Sutherland Sound)
* Te Matuku
* Te Paepae o Aotea (Volkner Rocks)
* Te Tapuwae o Hua (Long Sound)
* Te Tapuwae o Rongokako
* Tonga Island
* Tuhua (Mayor Island)
* Ulva Island-Te Wharawhara
* Waiau Glacier Coast
* Westhaven (Te Tai Tapu)
* Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove)
* Whangarei Harbour

National parks|

| Current|

* Abel Tasman
* Aoraki / Mount Cook
* Arthur's Pass
* Egmont
* Fiordland
* Kahurangi
* Mount Aspiring
* Nelson Lakes
* Paparoa
* Rakiura
* Tongariro
* Westland Tai Poutini
* Whanganui

|

Former|

* Te Urewera

National reserves|

* Hāpūpū / J M Barker
* Lewis Pass
* Puhi Kai Iti / Cook Landing Site
* Subantarctic Islands
* Te Kuri a Paoa/Young Nick's Head

Recreation reserves|

* Bastion Point
* Otago Central Rail Trail
* Truby King Recreation Reserve

Regional parks|

* Akatarawa
* Ambury
* Ashley Rakahuri
* Ātiu Creek
* Auckland Botanic Gardens
* Āwhitu
* Battle Hill Farm
* Belmont
* Duder
* East Harbour
* Ferrymead
* Glenfern Sanctuary
* Hunua Ranges
* Kaitoke
* Lake Tekapo
* Long Bay
* Mahurangi
* Motukorea Browns Island
* Muriwai
* Mutukaroa / Hamlins Hill
* Ōmana
* Onekawa Te Mawhai
* Orere Point
* Pākiri
* Pakuratahi
* Papamoa Hills
* Queen Elizabeth
* Scandrett
* Shakespear
* Tāpapakanga
* Tāwharanui
* Tawhitokino
* Te Ārai
* Te Muri
* Te Rau Pūriri
* Waharau
* Waimakariri River
* Wainuiomata Regional Park
* Waitākere Ranges
* Waitawa
* Wenderholm
* Whakanewha
* Whakatīwai

Scenic reserves|

* Alice Eaves Reserve
* Bruce Park
* Goldie Bush
* Peel Forest Park
* Waro Limestone

Wetlands|

* Awarua Wetland
* Farewell Spit
* Firth of Thames
* Kopuatai Peat Dome
* Manawatū Estuary
* Pāuatahanui Wildlife Reserve
* Wairarapa Moana
* Whangamarino

Other areas|

* Fensham Reserve
* Hutt Water Collection Area
* Northern Pegasus Bay
* Wainuiomata Water Collection Area
* Whitireia

Other|

* Amenity area
* Ecological area
* Sanctuary area
* Wilderness area
* Wildlife management area

Ambury Regional Park at Wikipedia's sister projects:

* Media from Commons
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