Cornwall Park gets much livelier between July 17th and September 10th during our lambing and calving season. It is a busy time in the park for our hard-working farmers who will be up at all hours tending to our new arrivals. During the lambing and calving season park visitors need to be aware and follow a few rules and guidelines. They are in place for a good reason - to give our new arrivals the best start in life with minimal stress and human interaction so that they can bond with their mothers. Here is some essential information to follow while visiting the park during the lambing and calving season.

Check your Calendar
During the lambing and calving season, the calves are born from July 17th to mid-August, while our lambs begin arriving at the start of August through to September 10th. There is always ample opportunity to view the newborns. Did you know that you can visit Huia Lodge Discovery Hub to find out where the cows and sheep are for the day? Simply ask one of our friendly staff or view our regularly updated sign.

Your Best Viewpoints
Newborn lambs and calves are kept in paddocks on the eastern side of the park. During this time, one of the best viewing areas for the public is from the Belvedere Steps, just south of the Cornwall Park Café. Another great viewing spot is along Twin Oak Drive. Paddocks neighbouring Twin Oak Drive will be home to new calves and lambs during the season, as well as daffodils!

Keep your Distance and View Through a Camera Lens
During lambing and calving, you can still walk through (no dogs allowed) the paddocks but need to consider the safety of the new animals who scare easily, as well as mothers who are protective of their young. Remember to stay on the paths, keep a minimum of three metres from all animals and close all gates behind you. A great way to keep your distance but still capture some special moments is through a camera lens. While you are capturing your amazing photos, we ask that you stay calm and quiet around them.

Look out for Signs and Help us Protect our Lambs
Whether you are walking or taking your family for an afternoon out in the park, keep an eye out for our signs, especially when entering a farm paddock. These signs are there to let you know if you can enter the paddock and what rules apply. If you see anything that looks concerning such as livestock looking unwell, lambs by themselves for a long time or people touching or chasing the livestock, please call 09 630 8485. Helpful information for us includes, what happened, when it happened and where you are in the park.

Know where the "no dog" and "no people and dogs" zones are
Year-round Cornwall Park is an on-lead dog park – dogs must always be on a lead when in the park. During lambing and calving, no dogs are allowed in the paddocks with the livestock. These paddocks include the paddocks on the eastern side of the park, with entrances from Atarangi Road, Waitapu Road, Horotutu Road, Rawhiti Road and entrance from the area/car park by the Cornwall Park Cafe. The paddock found between Twin Oak Drive and Michael Horton Drive is closed to all park visitors and dogs for the full season. To check your walking routes please see the map attached.

Everyone can help play a part in keeping our new calves and lambs happy, healthy and safe. Each year the park looks forward to meeting our new arrivals. Before visiting the park, please read through the information sheet here to familiarise yourself with the guidelines.