Ngā Kairauhī Papa | Forever protected
Running along the base of the Remarkable Ranges and looking out over Lake Whakatipu is the majestic Remarkables Station. Bordering the Remarkables Conservation Area, this 1,222-hectare station and working farm stands out as a stunning example of private land conservation.
Remarkables Station was owned and farmed by the Jardine family for nearly 100 years. In 2020, Dick and Jillian Jardine announced that they were planning to gift the station to Queen Elizabeth the Second National Trust (QEII National Trust), ensuring it will be covenanted and protected – forever. Although this approach is unusual for the Trust, preferring not to own land except in exceptional circumstances, Dick and Jillian Jardine were adamant that the land be held in perpetuity by an organisation they trusted to honour their vision. QEII was the obvious choice, and the exceptional circumstances convinced QEII to accept.
With approx. 70% of the of the station zoned as “Outstanding Natural Landscape” under the Queenstown Lakes District Plan, along with its location and visibility throughout the Whakatipu Basin, QEII knew there would be a unique opportunity to showcase a best-practice model of farming and land conservation.
This is one of the most significant acts of private land conservation in New Zealand’s history, preserving a landscape of outstanding natural beauty and ecological importance in an area where urban encroachment is becoming prevalent.
A ceremony to officially hand over the stewardship of Remarkables Station was held in 2022, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the Jardine’s family ownership. In the lead-up to the handover we commissioned a long-term, 50-year strategic plan from Abacus Bio and e3Scientific who worked with local stakeholders, community groups and rūnaka (local iwi authorities) to guide the future of the station. We also created a new entity – Remarkables Station National Trust Limited (RSNTL) and established a board to oversee it.
As a leased, working farm of mixed deer, beef and sheep, the aim is to balance pastoral farming with conservation, landscape protection, cultural values, public access and recreation. Showcasing all of these aspects is complex, and we are still in the early stages of this journey.
Ecological stewardship is at the heart of our approach. Remarkables Station is home to a wide range of native vegetation and wildlife including tī kōuka/cabbage tree, kōwhai, kōtukutuku/tree fushia, pittosporum, matagouri, koromiko/veronica salicifolia (hebe), mountain akeake and mingimingi/coprosma propinqua. These create habitat for korimako/bellbird, pīwakawaka/fantail, kea, miromiro/tomtit, kereru and tūī. With areas of native shrubland and forest regenerating between Lumberbox Creek and Wye Creek, ecological corridors now reach from the lake shore right up to the mountain summit. Pest control efforts by community groups such as the Southern Lakes Sanctuary help to protect these corridors and the fauna they support.
The cultural and historical significance of Remarkables Station adds another layer of richness to its story. The Remarkables Range, known as Kawarau, was shaped by tectonic forces and glacial activity during the last ice age.
Māori have many pūrakau/myths from the surrounding areas, lending to a deep, cultural connection. Parts of the station are considered wāhi tūpuna – places important to Māori for their ancestral significance and associated cultural and traditional values. The region was used seasonally by Ngāi Tahu (the local iwi) for hunting, fishing, and sourcing pounamu. Some areas were also planted and harvested on a return visit.
European settlement began in the 1860s and the Jardine family purchased the land in 1922, farming it for the next 100 years.
Remarkables Station has public access to recreational areas such as the Jardine Boulders – a popular climbing area – and the Wye Creek Walking Track. Additional opportunities for public access are being explored, allowing the public to spend more time in nature and experience the benefits of doing so.
QEII plans to continue engaging with locals, community groups and other stakeholders to help shape the future of Remarkables Station. We’ve already started work on our strategic plan with one of our first projects being to remove the invasive sycamore trees. This project is being supported by Queenstown International Airport and the ORC Ecofund.
Remarkables Station is more than just a farm—it is a symbol of generosity, vision, and hope. Thanks to the Jardine family and the QEII National Trust, this extraordinary landscape will remain protected and cherished for generations to come. Whether you are a local resident, a visitor, or a conservation enthusiast, Remarkables Station offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature, history, and the enduring spirit of stewardship.
We’d love to hear from you if you would like to be involved.
You can email us at: remarkables@qeii.org.nz
More information to come.
More information to come.
