I bought this old pin badge last Sunday at the Avondale Market. It's seen better days, bent probably due to bad care and being left in the heat of a glass display case in the sun too long (the seller, unfortunately, wouldn't reduce the price based on that).
There's not a lot left from the Auckland Lion Safari Park at Red Hills Road, Massey, in operation from 1981 until sometime in the mid 1990s (the company files, which I intend looking at as soon as the silly season passes over, go down to 1995).
The park seems to have originated as an offshoot of the Bullens operations in Australia. (See also this Facebook page) Exactly why the Auckland park closed I don't yet know, but the Old Friends memories online speak of hi-jinks among the staff like cycling through the lions compound, playing around with tractors and mud slides, yet also note fond memories of the lions, tigers, and Clyde the Camel.
This from Exotic Intruders (1983) by Joan Druett:
I'd really appreciate any further leads or information from readers.If game parks are a modern development from the acclimatisation societies and their peculiarities, safari parks are a close relative. But safari parks deal exclusively in the visitor animals—none of their stock have ever been liberated, or are ever likely to be. The Auckland Lion Safari Park is the newest of these, opened at the end of 1981. Other entrepreneurs have tried the venture, the earliest being the Orana Lion Park outside Christchurch. Until recently there were two others—one at Paraparaumu and another outside Hamilton—but these failed. The new park at Auckland has the backing of a circus organisation—the Bullen organisation, which is involved in six safari parks in Australia—so it has its roots in the exotic animal-keeping business that is the oldest of them all.To visit a safari park, one does not leave one's car (although if you are a politician you can get a free ticket to travel through on a pushbike). Windows must be kept closed at all times, as you drive slowly and gaze at lions. It is the ultimate step in transferring alien animals to our environment.
Bullens also had an operation at Waikanae. The old Lion Park was a great place. Such a shame it vanished. Very little information is around. The Lion Pride was quite large. The highlight of the day was the caged meat truck they would take out into the main enclosure. One of the staff would be inside the cage part at the rear of the vehicle and use a stick to push the meat out.The cats would leap up on top and grab the met (mainly horse. I remember the camel. They had other attractions as well including the two tigers which you could only drive through their enclosure slowly and not stop. I'll check with Tony on this he may know a lot more since he had a long association with the former Bullens Circus/Safari.
ReplyDeleteBullens supplied the Lions from Warragamba Dam Wildlife Park, Australia. They also supplied Manager John Schmidt and Wife Mavis Vance, plus it their son...my good friend Jimmy Vance. I was also a Game Warden and holder of the title.. "HE WHO RIDES BICYCLE THROUGH LION COMPOUND".
DeleteYes that Urban Legend is very true. SPENCER FAULKNER.
also.. CHRIS CAMBRIDGE PRODUCTIONS put the Million Dollars up to buy the land off Barry Crumps brother Colin. He owned an 18 hole Golf Course at 60 Redhills Rd Massey. Chris was a Music Promoter, signing Elton John amongst other Stars. The Safari Park was his brainchild. Chris recuperated his initial investment in the first week of opening. Opening weekend caused a traffic gridlock for a 10km radius and it was apparently worth the 4 hour average wait to get in.
DeleteHi Timespanner and Liz, I'd like to speak to someone about the lion park, ideally the owner or a head keeper ... would you happen to know who that might be and if they are still contactable? Thanks! :-)
DeleteHi there Willow
DeleteSpencer Faulkner who has commented further down in the comments use to work at the park He left his email address for contact I don't think he will mind me putting it here to help you out.
Contact Spencer Faulkner email: frankyfaulkner@gmail.com
Spence here Liz.
DeleteNo problem, happy to help out WILLOW THE WISP
Awesome as Spence!
DeleteThanks, Liz.
ReplyDeleteI was the young Game Warden who rode the bicycle through the Lion Park
DeleteI always though of it as I one of those things we all did when we were young.. But I had no fear and big Kahuna's LOL
Its weird because I got a phone call from MAI 88.6 FM radio station Auckland a couple of years ago seeking Urban Legends as such..
Anyways I'm working in the Entertainment Industry still.. With Johnny Depp filming Pirates of the Carribean 5 on the Gold Coast. I would be happy to fill your blank spaces in. Cheers. Spencer Faulkner.
Your post sent me off exploring on Google maps as I'm sure I was taken there as a child (although I'd quite forgotten until reading your post!). I have memories of being driven in a car around a looping track watching lions being fed. The series of now partially obscured tracks in an area just north of Red Hills Road seem to agree with this memory: http://goo.gl/maps/50I7d.
ReplyDeleteCoincidentally I happened to be doing some research on an entirely different topic this morning and came across a familiar aerial photograph. It seems that this location was later used for filming many Hercules and Xena Warrior Princess episodes in the 90s. A page with more detail is here: http://crnz.info/nx/lionpark/lionpark.html
Apparently the series of sets were called "The Lion Park" by actors and crew so there was clearly knowledge of the previous use of the area. The sets are long gone although some of the perhaps more mundane or practical buildings remain, along with a small pond.
I wonder how the land is used now? Farming perhaps?
Correct.. I was an original Game Warden at the Park in 1981 when I was still attending Waitakere College. I'm also a Film Crew member from HERCULES and Xena 1995-1999.. and Disneys LEGEND OF THE SEEKER 2008..we used the Lion Park reference for its site at Redhills Rd Massey..
DeleteYou can check AUCKLAND LION safari park Facebook page for more info
..
My real name is SPENCER FAULKNER.. Google IMBD.. or add me on Facebook for more info if you want. I'm happy to share ;-)
Oh and yes its farming now..
DeleteBut a Persian Sheik brought the property plus extra land a few years ago..
Wonderful! Thanks so much for tracking that down -- I'll see if I can find some land history info tomorrow morning on the site. It all seems to be in one title at the moment. Auckland Council rates record describes it as "Lifestyle, Multi-Unit" so who knows -- but there is an interesting 1996 aerial on their GIS site.
ReplyDeleteA Sheik brought the land a few years ago.
Deletewe moved to NZ 1983..our kids were told that there were no dangerous animals here...Imagine the fright thry got when our first house at Ranui/Swanson was downwind from the Lions roars and growls at night!! We soon found out the source of the night roars lol We took the kids there a few times. There was a sheep show where all sheep breeds were on display and well trained to move on command. There was also a mini train and rail that went through the woods. The lions were pretty cool, especially at feeding time. There was a separate paddock we could drive through and put your window down at your own risk. We risked it and I have been terrified of girrafes ever since. I also recall the water slide, the petting zoo where the kids bottle fed calves and lambs and held rabbits. The kids slept better after our visits to the safari park knowing the lions were caged in!! Happy Days
ReplyDeleteI have lots of photos of this park. Actually, I have lots of photos that might interest you, full stop. Will email or Facebook msg you..
ReplyDeletePlease post some photos on my AUCKLAND LION SAFARI PARK Facebook page..
DeleteOr private message me some on my Facebook page SPENCER FAULKNER...
FilmCrew Australia/ Drummer etc page..Cheers ;-)
Donna.. I would love to see some photos..
DeleteMy email address is frankyfaulkner@gmail.com
Hi Donna. Just chasing up any photos you may have please. My email address is frankyfaulkner@gmail.com.
DeleteMuch appreciated
My family lived out west Auckland. I remember as a little girl, our family outing at the Safari, my father driving our little red Cortina watching the lions. Didn't they have other activities there as well or was that another fun park? Coincidentally ... my husband & children are also Bullens ... not sure if there is any connection to the Bullen brothers!
ReplyDeleteWe used to drive down from Whangarei and meet family from Massey there and have family picnics... I remember going at least 3 times... I wished on one of those fairy flower things when I was a kid hahah... anyway... my best recollection was of the waterslide, that was the best! Driving through the lions scared me!
ReplyDeleteMy family won free entry to the Auckland Lion Safari Park once. I think it was radio station 1ZB ran a competition to name the two new lion cubs, and my aunty came up with the names Khan and Sheba, which won. We had an awesome day out there, squashed into our silver Mk1 Cortina stationwagon, even if I had to enjoy the view from the boot of the car with the trail dust coming in, and the windows wound up.
ReplyDeleteI came across this blog post searching for the "Auckland Lion Safari Action Park", which is the name I remember it as.
Hi my name is Vicky Wanless and I am production manager for the Mozzie Boyz Productionz.
ReplyDeleteWe are filming a documentary called LIONS IN OUR BACKYARD will be filming interviews with former staff around Australia and New Zealand in March 2019.
We are looking for as many photos, videos, stories, newspaper and magazine articles, memorabilia, merchandise etc.
It's a 2 part Doco with part 2 about Footrot Flats Leisure Park in Teatatu North Peninsula.
Please send everything to lionparkdoco@gmail.com
By submitting material, you are agreeing to give MOZZIE BOYZ PRODUCTIONZ permission to use said material for use in all forms of media for the purpose documenting related material to a global audience.
Or if you were connected and wish to be interviewed please let us know how and your story to be considered.
Much appreciated.
Please tag someone or Share if you know someone who may have valuable contributions.
Thank you.
Please let me know if someone can help us.
https://www.facebook.com/lionsinourbackyard/