Ngāi Tahu selected to operate Molesworth Station

Ngāi Tahu has been selected as the preferred operator for Molesworth Station, a 180,000-hectare Crown-owned property in New Zealand, through the Department of Conservation. The iwi is expected to take over the lease next April when the current operator, Pāmu, ceases management of the station.

Ngāi Tahu plans to prioritize pest management, commercial farming, and potential tourism expansions. Chief Executive Ben Bateman emphasized the iwi’s commitment to land stewardship and commercial stability, addressing concerns from high country farmers regarding bovine tuberculosis monitoring and the management of invasive species such as Wilding pines, rabbits, and possums.

In addition to farming, the iwi is considering extending tourism ventures on the station, drawing on its existing experience with South Island tourism operations like glacier guiding and jet boating.