Applications closed last week, with five groups applying to take over running farm operations at Molesworth.
DoC’s South Marlborough operations manager, Stacey Wrenn, said it was a “big decision”.
“We’re looking at the next 30 years of this absolutely, incredibly and nationally important place as well as New Zealand’s largest farm.
“So we are so excited that we have got this set of really high-quality proposals.
“And we’re looking forward to working through those and working out who the best and most appropriate person is to take Molesworth forward into the future.”
Molesworth’s former manager of more than 20 years, Jim Ward, confirmed he had been involved in a proposal to see it run as a not-for-profit with heritage status.
“There are three things that everything revolves around,” he told RNZ.
“The first is the vision for the proposal, we’re calling it the ‘Station for the Nation’, and the values are ensuring accessibility for all, and the mission is to maintain the integrity of the land and ensure the longevity of the cultural and historic assets.”
Pāmu would not confirm if it had put forward an application.
DoC and Pāmu were working together to ensure operations continued smoothly, while the preferred operator was selected and a new concession processed, and to work through the change of operators, if necessary.
“As the incumbent, Pāmu continues to engage closely with the Department of Conservation regarding the future of the Molesworth lease, and we’re committed to working constructively through their process,” a Pāmu spokesperson said.
Wrenn said she appreciated the effort that had gone into preparing the applications, which would now be carefully assessed against set criteria, with DoC hoping to select a preferred operator by the end of May.
“Assessment criteria include the operator’s experience, skills and resources, how biodiversity and heritage values will be protected, how cultural values will be upheld, and how public access will be improved and facilitated.
“Once a preferred operator is chosen, they will be invited to apply for a concession, which will be publicly notified so people can have their say on the proposal.”
Wrenn previously said Molesworth was a special place that was home to threatened plants and animals, so there would be restrictions on any lease – the farm can not be used for deer farming, forestry or for activities such as game hunting or safari parks.
- RNZ
