You’ve probably seen the photos. A giant, cartoonish piece of corrugated iron that looks like it was dropped by a bored god onto a grassy ridge. Or maybe a massive red trumpet buried in the side of a hill. People call it "The Farm," but honestly, calling Gibbs Farm a farm is like calling the Great Wall of China a garden fence. It’s a 1,000-acre psychological experiment in scale.
Most people think you can just rock up to the Kaipara Harbour, pay a few bucks at a gate, and wander around. You can’t.
The gatekeeper and the vision
Alan Gibbs is the man behind the curtain. He’s a businessman, an inventor of amphibious cars, and someone who clearly hates the word "small." He bought this land in 1991. It’s a brutal, beautiful stretch of the North Island where the tide in the Kaipara Harbour goes out for miles, leaving behind these shimmering, muddy flats.
He didn't just buy art to put on the grass. He invited the world’s most intense artists—Richard Serra, Anish Kapoor, Maya Lin—to stay there. He basically dared them to outdo the landscape.
One of the most famous stories involves Richard Serra. Gibbs reportedly told him, "I don’t want any wimpy piece in the landscape." Serra responded by building Te Tuhirangi Contour. It’s a wall of rusted steel that’s 252 meters long. It follows the literal contour of the land. It’s intimidating.
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Why the booking process is a nightmare (and how to win)
Here is the reality: Gibbs Farm is private. It is only open to the public about eight or nine days a year.
Usually, these days are hosted by charities like the Sweet Louise Foundation or MS NZ. You don't just "buy a ticket" from a central website easily. You have to hunt them down on Eventfinda or follow the specific charities. In 2026, the dates are already trickling out. For example, there’s a FARA NZ fundraiser scheduled for Friday, March 27, 2026, and a private tour involving the National Art School in April.
If you see a date, buy it. Don’t "think about it." They sell out in minutes.
The animals are not props
This is the part that trips people up. You’re walking toward a multi-million dollar sculpture and a giraffe just... walks past.
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There are giraffes. There are zebras. There are yaks, bison, and emus. It feels like a fever dream. The giraffes are particularly fond of the area near the house, but they wander. Honestly, seeing a giraffe silhouetted against a Richard Serra steel wall is probably the peak "New Zealand" experience you never knew you needed.
But remember: it’s a working farm. There is electric fencing. There are animals that can actually hurt you if you’re being an idiot. Don't pet the bison.
The Walk: It’s not a stroll in the park
If you think this is a light walk, you’re going to have a bad time.
The terrain is rolling, steep, and completely exposed to the elements. There is no "indoor" section. If it rains, you get wet. If the sun is out, you burn. The walk usually takes about 3 to 4 hours to see everything properly.
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What you actually need to bring:
- Real shoes: Not flip-flops. Not those "fashion" sneakers. You need grip.
- Water and Food: There are no cafes. There are no vending machines. If you don't bring a sandwich, you will be hungry.
- Sunscreen: The New Zealand sun is a different beast.
Why it actually matters
Some people see Gibbs Farm as a vanity project for a billionaire. Fair enough. But when you stand at the base of Anish Kapoor’s Dismemberment, Site 1—that giant red PVC membrane—and hear the wind howling through it like a ghost, you realize this is something else.
It’s one of the few places on Earth where the art isn't fighting the landscape; it's trying to survive it. The scale is so massive that it makes you feel tiny, which is a rare feeling in our modern, curated world.
Practical Next Steps for Your Visit
- Stalk the Socials: Follow the Gibbs Farm Facebook page and set up alerts for "Gibbs Farm" on Eventfinda. This is the only way to catch the charity ticket releases for late 2026.
- Check the 2026 Calendar: Look for March 27th (FARA) or potential November dates which often pop up for late-year fundraisers.
- Prepare for the Drive: It’s about 50 minutes north of Auckland. The entrance is on Barr Road. If you put "Gibbs Farm" into GPS, make sure it's taking you to the Kaipara Coast Highway entrance.
- Charge Your Camera: You’re allowed to take photos for personal use. You’ll want them. The scale of the Horizons sculpture by Neil Dawson (the one that looks like a 2D drawing) needs to be seen through a lens to be fully believed.
There is no entry fee if you get on the official list, but for charity days, expect to pay between $50 and $100 per ticket. It all goes to a good cause, and quite frankly, it’s the cheapest way to see art of this caliber anywhere in the world.