REMARKABLES STATION

A significant amount of work this year went into ensuring QEII was well set-up to receive and manage the extraordinary gift of 947 hectares of land, known as Remarkables Station, from the Jardine family. The gift was officially transferred to QEII National Trust on 1 July 2022.

The Jardine Family, who owned and farmed the property for 100 years, announced their intention to gift the property to QEII in 2020 and much of the 2021/22 year has been focused on developing a vision for the property and laying a foundation for its ongoing governance and management. QEII has consulted with the local community to help guide and identify their goals and develop a vision for the property. The hydrological and ecological values of the property were assessed and a review of the existing farm enterprise undertaken. We engaged Aukaha to provide a preliminary cultural. values statement, and a full financial assessment was conducted.

As a result, we have developed a 50-year strategic plan, which sets out the vision, goals, opportunities and constraints for the property along with a strategic action plan for how to deliver the goals over the short, medium and long term.

LEFT: QEII CE Dan Coup, Central Otago regional rep Rob Wardle, former QEII Chair James Guild and current Chair Bruce Wills, with the Jardines and their advisers, Phil Stevenson and Sam Nelson

BELOW: Aerial shots of Remarkables Station

Remarkables Station National Trust Limited (RSNTL) was established to operate as a wholly owned subsidiary, with a separate board of directors appointed to oversee the running of the property and reporting back to QEII. The current board members are Donna Field (Chair), Bruce Wills, Neil Cullen, Alan Livingston, Edward Ellison and James Guild.

We welcomed Nita Smith to the QEII team in the new role of Whakatipu Relationship Manager. Nita’s role is to manage the on-the-ground aspects of the property and work alongside QEII’s regional representative Rob Wardle on aspects related to the nearby Mahu Whenua covenants.

The previous lessees, David and Pam Nind and Matt Little, have signed up to continue to lease the farm operation which will give continuity to the block through their on-theground knowledge of the farm.

Our plans for the next financial year include delivering on strategic planning and continuing to build relationships. We will be looking to host an in-person board meeting on site and taking the opportunity to host a hui with the seven local runaka, which we hope will help us to form a strong and lasting relationship with mana whenua.

On an operational level, we plan to control sycamores, work with regional predator control groups, and assess the carbon potential in the retired and regenerating portion of the property. We are looking forward to the future for this property and the exciting conservation and recreation collaborations that are sure to arise.

Bruce Wills presenting Jillian and Dick Jardine with a framed photo taken on Remarkables Station at the event marking the transfer of the property from the Jardine family to QEII ownership.