Molesworth Station

Molesworth Station is a true icon of New Zealand agriculture. Spanning an incredible 180,787 ha, it is New Zealand’s largest farm, combining a rich farming history with modern, sustainable practices. Located inland from Blenheim, Molesworth is surrounded by the inland Kaikōura mountains to the east, the mighty Wairau River to the west, and Hanmer Springs to the south.

Farming Molesworth is about more than managing stock—it’s about balancing productivity, sustainability, and the preservation of a fragile environment. Today, Molesworth is home to approximately 6,000 Angus and Angus-Hereford cross cattle, selected for their hardiness and ability to thrive in the challenging high-country climate.

The farm follows a low stocking rate (0.3 stock units per hectare) to ensure the land is not overgrazed, protecting its biodiversity and soil health. Stock are moved seasonally, grazing the warm valley floors in winter and ranging across the high back-country during summer. This approach mimics natural grazing patterns and supports healthy pastures while ensuring high-quality cattle production.

Farming calendar and practices

The Molesworth farming calendar is shaped by the seasons:

The station is managed by a dedicated team of five permanent staff, supported by additional stockhands during busy periods. Horses and dogs are critical to the day-to-day work, with up to 80 horses and 45 working dogs involved in seasonal operations.

Farming on Molesworth began in the 1850s with sheep, but overgrazing, rabbits, and soil erosion led to its abandonment by 1938. The Crown stepped in, taking ownership of Molesworth and adjoining runs like Tarndale, St Helens, and Dillon.

In the early 20th century, Molesworth was in a desperate state. Rabbits and sheep had stripped the land bare, causing widespread erosion. 

Crown management introduced sweeping changes:

• Removal of Sheep: Sheep grazing was replaced with cattle, which graze less intensively and are better suited to the high country.
• Pest Control: Significant investment in rabbit control and replanting with tussock and clover began to restore the land.
• Revegetation and Soil Care: Aerial seeding with cocksfoot and clover started in the 1950s, revitalising pastures.

The transformation of Molesworth is one of New Zealand’s great farming success stories. By 1968, the property supported 9,000 cattle, and in 1982 a stocking cap of 10,000 head was introduced to maintain balance with the environment.

Molesworth operates as a commercial farm within a recreational reserve, demonstrating how farming can integrate with conservation and public access. The Department of Conservation is the owner and the the farm is managed by Pāmu Farms of New Zealand with a commitment to high-country farming that enhances environmental, cultural, and recreational values.

Modern farming practices include:

Farming Molesworth Station is a unique challenge due to its size, remoteness, and rugged landscape. The station's infrastructure has been built to handle these demands, blending traditional methods with modern innovations.

Cob cottages, constructed in the 1800s, remain as historical reminders of the early days of farming in the high country. While these historic structures speak to the station’s past, today’s operations rely on a combination of skilled stockmanship and technology. Horses and dogs remain integral to mustering cattle across the vast and often inaccessible terrain, with up to 80 horses and 45 working dogs on the station during peak periods.

Modern tools complement traditional methods. Aircraft are used to spot and locate cattle, saving days of riding and allowing staff to work more efficiently across the station’s expansive area. Seasonal huts provide shelter for workers in remote areas, enabling them to stay close to their work during mustering and other key farming tasks.

The genetic quality of Molesworth’s cattle is continuously improved through rigorous selection, ensuring the herd is well-adapted to the station’s harsh conditions. This focus on breeding resilience and productivity is a cornerstone of Molesworth’s farming approach, ensuring that the herd thrives despite the challenges of high-country farming.

Molesworth is a biodiversity hotspot, home to threatened plant species, diverse native wildlife, and unique freshwater ecosystems. The farm’s vastness and isolation have helped preserve endemic species, including the New Zealand falcon, scree skink, and native galaxiid fish.

To protect its waterways and environment, Molesworth employs sustainable farming practices, such as minimising nutrient runoff and maintaining healthy pastures. Water quality is monitored regularly.