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 nationalparks.
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.
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.
The scoping work needed to safeguard the area, but also ensure a commercially viable offering, she said.
The station, between Hanmer Springs and Blenheim, is a significant land holding.
Horseshoes in a Molesworth Station smithy Photo / RNZ, Sally Round
It is New Zealand’s largest working farm and has its largest herd of cattle.
It is also valued by iwi and recreational bikers, hikers, fishers and hunters.
Dawn breaks over an old cob building at Tarndale, Molesworth Station. Photo / RNZ, Sally Round
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 is now home to up to 10,000 Angus and Angus-Hereford cattle.
Some 15% of New Zealand’s plant species - 620 - were found there, but one-fifth of those were threatened or at risk.
Beef cattle on Molesworth Station. Photo / RNZ, Sally Round
It is the largest protected area of high alpine drylands in the country.
