The survey was undertaken in line with the 2013 management plan for Molesworth stating DOC would seek public views on the management of Molesworth ahead of the farming lease for Molesworth expiring on 30 June 2020.

There were more than 4,500 responses to this survey.

View the summary of responses (PDF, 2,567K).

Next steps

DOC is working in partnership with Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura to develop the next steps for considering future management options. DOC is also working closely with the Nelson Marlborough Conservation Board and the Molesworth Steering Committee (which advises on the management of Molesworth).

The survey results are being taken into account in considering options for Molesworth’s future management.

About Molesworth

Molesworth is an iconic high-country station. It is owned by the public of New Zealand and managed by DOC on your behalf.

The Station became a recreation reserve in 2005. It has many values, including heritage, conservation, cultural and recreation.

Managing Molesworth

A management plan for Molesworth was approved in 2013. The intention of the plan was to transition Molesworth from its traditional focus on farming to include more recreation and conservation activities. The plan though had to be in accordance with the farming lease that included a number of restrictions on public access to meet farming requirements.

Management of Molesworth involves balancing recreational access with protection of its biodiversity and historic and cultural heritage, and the farming operation. DOC and the farm management liaise very closely in managing Molesworth.

Conservation and public access have increased in Molesworth in integration with the farming operation and with support from the farm management since it became a recreation reserve in 2005.