CUSTODIANS OF THE LAND

PHILIP AND ANNE WOODWARD,
NIKAU CAVE B&B, TUAKAU
Philip Woodward loves the family cave. He and his wife Anne live in the beautiful Waikaretu Valley, about an hour-and- a-half’s drive from Auckland, between Raglan and Port Waikato. They have been primarily sheep and cattle farmers for the last 20 years, however, 12 years ago the vagaries of the market and five children to raise forced them to think laterally about the patch of paradise they call home. With a cave just beyond their garden gate and the help of close family and friends, Philip and Anne decided to provide guided tours of this natural wonder.

Nikau Cave is one-kilometer long and takes about 90-minutes to walk through. Inside, there are stalagmites, stalactites and thousands of tiny glowworms. It has been left in its original state – something appreciated by visitors. “It makes them feel as if they’re discovering it for the first time,” Anne says.

Philip grew up in the district and completed his first end-to-end exploration of the cave with the sons of the previous owner when he was a teenager. Later, he and Anne bought the farm and he has now been through the cave more than 1000 times. He’s passionate about the lifestyle and a perfect day for him is rising early to muster the sheep on the hills at dawn, shearing a hundred of them and then sharing his treasures, both above and below ground, with an enthusiastic group of people.

The family home is surrounded by extensive gardens and there is a secluded cabin for guests who choose to stay for bed and breakfast, with bush and waterfall walks in the reserves that Anne and Philip have had covenanted, so visitors have plenty to do once they have relaxed after the cave walk.

In 2008, the caving operation will be run from a stunning new building complete with café, set on spacious grounds bounded by streams with dramatic views up to the limestone bluffs and grazing animals. The children are adults now and have all spent time as guides of the cave.

“Philip calls himself a ‘Topsoil Trustee’ when he’s above the ground,” says Anne, “and the guides are the ‘Protectors’ when they are down below in the cave. If our children choose to live and work here, that will be their role. We are the custodians of this land and it’s our privilege to care for it while we are here.”