Ngāi Tahu Farming will become the operator of New Zealand's largest farm.

Molesworth Station, located in the Marlborough and North Canterbury regions, was previously managed by the state-owned enterprise Pāmu. Officially, the site holds the status of Rangitahi/Molesworth Recreation Reserve and is Crown-owned under the administration of the Department of Conservation (DoC). Following a competitive selection process involving five bidders, including former farm manager Jim Ward, a subsidiary of the Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Group was identified as the most suitable for managing the agricultural operations.

DoC Deputy Director-General Henry Weston explained that the decision was based on the applicant's expertise in managing large-scale high-country farms. Ngāi Tahu Farming already operates three stations covering 36,000 hectares, which are part of the company’s broader land and forest resource management system on the South Island, spanning 100,000 hectares. The enterprise’s financial stability and business experience were decisive factors for long-term planning at the site.

According to Department requirements, agriculture will remain a key commercial activity; however, the new operator is mandated to ensure effective weed and pest control, as well as maintain or improve public access conditions to the territory. The uniqueness of Molesworth lies in the combination of agricultural production with values of biodiversity, cultural heritage, and recreation. Operational details will be finalized during the concession agreement process.

The leadership of Ngāi Tahu Farming emphasized that they view the management of the station as a responsibility connected to the cultural landscape and the history of the iwi (tribe). In turn, Federated Farmers President Colin Hurst noted that the selection of the company is justified by its ability to integrate Molesworth into the existing system of finishing farms in North Canterbury and its financial readiness for challenging weather conditions or market price fluctuations.