Ngāi Tahu welcomes preferred operator selection for Molesworth Station

Ngāi Tahu welcomes news it has been selected as the preferred operator for Rangitahi Molesworth Station, the largest farm in the country, following a rigorous public tender process.

“We acknowledge the Department of Conservation’s thorough process and are pleased their decision reflects our proven capability in farming, conservation, and commercial management, as well as our deep connection to Rangitahi Molesworth,” says Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu CEO Ben Bateman.

“We are committed to making sure the terms of any concession we negotiate are good for all New Zealanders. Public access, biodiversity and ecological stewardship are central to how we would manage Rangitahi Molesworth.

“For us, Rangitahi is not simply a farming opportunity. It is an ancestral landscape woven into the whakapapa of Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kurī, Ngāti Māmoe and Waitaha. To be entrusted with its stewardship is a responsibility we approach with humility and determination.”

Reacting to the announcement, Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura Chair Hariata Kahu says today is an important milestone for her hapū, Ngāti Kurī.

“For many generations we have longed to play a more active role in protecting Rangitahi Molesworth. Growing up, we learn the pūrākau of Rangitahi and the journeys our people made through this landscape. The Awatere and Waiautoa rivers are part of those stories, and even the name Rangitahi speaks to the coming together of those waters.

“To know that, if we are granted a concession, we would have the opportunity to help care for this whenua is incredibly significant. For Ngāti Kurī, this is about ensuring future generations can experience Rangitahi much like our ancestors did, with its landscapes and stories protected.”

Ben Bateman says the iwi now has to work through the details of its concession application with the Department of Conservation and is looking for opportunities that support all New Zealanders to experience this special place.

“We’re committed to running Rangitahi Molesworth as a serious, sustainable operation that serves both our iwi and the nation.”