Molesworth station is facing a massive change. Photo: RNZ/Sally Round
Molesworth station, the country's largest and most iconic high country station, is facing a massive change.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) is seeking new commercial opportunities for the area, which is larger than Stewart Island and 10 of New Zealand's 13 national parks.
The area, known formally as the Rangitahi/Molesworth Recreation Reserve, at the top of the South Island, is to get new operators.
The 180,000 hectare area is owned by the Crown, administered by DOC and leased to Pāmu, formerly Landcorp. But that lease is due to run out at the end of June 2026.
DoC said it was going to run a competitive process to seek an operator for new farming and commercial opportunities.
Horseshoes in a Molesworth Station smithy Photo: RNZ/Sally Round
It had ruled out, though, any pine tree planting.
DOC South Marlborough operations manager Stacey Wrenn said staff were currently defining the scope of the opportunity to be offered. It would involve farming but could include other activities, including guiding or accommodation.
Dawn breaks over an old cob building at Tarndale, Molesworth Station Photo: RNZ/Sally Round
Stacey Wrenn said the scoping work needed to safeguard the area but also ensure a commercially viable offering.
The station, which sits between Hanmer Springs and inland of Blenheim, between the inland Kaikouras and Mt Tapeanuku, at the top of the South Island, is a significant land holding.
It is New Zealand's largest high country station, farmed New Zealand's largest herd of cattle and is the country's largest working farm.
It is also valued by iwi and recreational bikers, hikers, fishers and hunters.
Molesworth, along with two other neighbouring stations, farmed sheep until the 1930s when the rabbit plague became so bad that farmers walked off the land. It was restored and now farmed up to 10,000 Angus and Angus-Hereford cattle.
Beef cattle on Molesworth Station Photo: RNZ/Sally Round
Some 15 percent of NZ's plant species - 620 - were found there, but one fifth of those were threatened or at risk.
It is the largest protected area of high alpine drylands in the country.
The first inkling of change came when the farm manager of 24 years, Jim Ward, resigned abruptly in July.
Sources said he was increasingly frustrated about the lack of action to control wilding pine trees that were starting to cover parts of the station's farmland.
Wilding pines on Molesworth Station Photo: RNZ/Sally Round
DOC's Stacey Wrenn said it wanted to have the new operators confirmed well before the lease expired.
"We want to acknowledge the great work Pāmu have done as stewards of an iconic New Zealand landscape."
In a brief statement, Pāmu said it welcomed a step towards certainty over the lease.
"As we await further detail on the scope of the opportunity, Pāmu remains fully committed to sustainable farming and the stewardship of Molesworth."
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