Volume Three Appendix 1 27. Molesworth Station and Upper Clarence Associative - The Molesworth Station is a New Zealand icon and destination for heritage tours. Values Remote recreational opportunities, including horse treking, cycling, rafting, fishing, - hunting and camping. - The Molesworth area has both rich Māori and European heritage valu es. - At 180,787 hectares, Molesworth is home to New Zealand's biggest farm, supporting the country's biggest herd of beef cattle. - An early inland route via the upper Wairau was used by Māori travelling south through Moleswor th. The Clarence River valley was used by Māori travelling from the river mouth to Waiau. Overview Based on the above values, Molesworth Station and Upper Clarence have been identified as an ONL due to its exceptional biophysical and associative landscape values and very high sensory landscape values. This area is almost entirely contained within conservation estate, containing many remote and scenic mountain ranges including the Boddington, Rachel and Inkerman Ranges and the Bullen Hills. The ONL area includes the upper reaches of many Canterbury and Marlborough rivers. There are numerous tarns and lakes. Notable rivers include the Clarence, Wairau and Awatere. Molesworth Station is a remote area surrounded by snow-capped peaks, stunning river valleys, extensive tussock lands and pasture. It is a working farm, but, nevertheless contains high levels of ecological interest. The Molesworth Station is highly significant for the presence of endemic and rare species of flora and fauna, with over 70 threatened species present. The wetlands around Lake Sedgemere are of notable value and the Molesworth area in general supports one of New Zealand’s most diverse lizard faunas. The station, which occupies the southern portions of the District, is one of Marlborough and Canterbury’s iconic high country landscapes. Molesworth contains memorable and dramatic landscape elements, including, rugged mountain tops, valleys, scree slopes, unmodified rivers and cultural features. The entire mountainous area is subject to extremes of weather, with hot summers and harsh winters, typical of continental climates. Although not as numerous as in other parts of the District, the heritage values within this area are highly evident, especially at Molesworth and Tarndale Stations. Access to the area is from the Wairau-Hanmer Springs Hydro Road, which extends from Hanmer Springs into the upper Wairau and the Awatere valleys. The Molesworth area was a link within the network of Ngai Tahu trails developed throughout the South Island for mahinga kai purposes. The journeys, sites and stories relating to the trails are recorded in Ngai Tahu traditions and are of high significance. Modifications include: farm tracks; walking tracks and backcountry huts; Awatere Valley Road and Wairau–Hanmer Springs Road; buildings; stockyards; HDVC transmission line (and exclusion zone); occasional small quarries; some exotic vegetation around rivers; pasture; trig stations and masts. Areas with high amenity landscape values A. Marlborough Sounds Coastal Landscape Values - Distinctive, fractured pattern of the Marlborough Sounds coastline. - Slender peninsulas and range of islands provide distinctive landscape containing very high aesthetic values. - Combination of rocky coastlines, vegetated and grassy ridges and small coves, bays and inlets portrays an overwhelming sense of naturalness. - The area is imbued with cultural and historic values. It is extremely memorable. App 1 - 27