Potential operators wanting to run a commercial farming operation for up to 30 years in the Molesworth Recreation Reserve are invited to submit a proposal.
Rangitahi/Molesworth is an iconic drylands landscape with a history familiar to many New Zealanders. Alongside a long history of sheep and cattle farming in the reserve it holds a deep cultural significance for iwi.
Home to a range of threatened plants and wetlands, and a haven for native fish who thrive in several lakes free of predatory trout and salmon, Rangitahi/Molesworth is a biodiversity hotspot. It's an important habitat for native birds and contains braided rivers, which are globally rare.
DOC South Marlborough Operations Manager Stacey Wrenn says, "we're looking for an experienced high country stock farm operator to take on the day-to-day running of Molesworth Recreation Reserve".
"We'll be assessing proposals across a range of criteria, including 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. We've worked with iwi to understand the cultural values of Molesworth to inform the proposal process.
"Commercially-focussed tourism opportunities like guiding or use of existing buildings for short-stay accommodation to run alongside the farming operation will also be considered, where such use is consistent with the purpose of the reserve.
"Proposals for activities like exotic forestry, deer farming and safari parks will not be considered – we know how important this place is to people, and how they value the naturing on offer. DOC expects farming to be the primary activity occurring at Molesworth. We'll be looking at proposals carefully to ensure the future operator is chosen with the area's significant values in mind."
Stacey says once DOC understands what the preferred farming operator is proposing, we will also call for separate commercial, recreation or tourism proposals that could fit alongside the successful applicant's operations in 2026.
At 180,787 ha, Rangitahi Molesworth Scenic Reserve is slightly larger than Rakiura/Stewart Island and larger than 10 of New Zealand's 13 National Parks.
All tender applications must be received by DOC on or before the 20 March 2026. More details about the scope of the opportunity on offer and the farm tender process can be found on the DOC website.
