Keeping an eye on the sale of Matangi station, a recreational jewel in Central Otago

The Matangi station, a private property with wonderful recreational opportunities, is a tussock-cloaked landscape jewel located close to Alexandra, Central Otago. The station has recently been put up on the market for sale.

FMC is aware of the property’s recreational potential, as well as its natural and human history values.
The Station’s 11,400 hectares are primarily Crown pastoral leasehold land. There are several already existing recreational allowances on the station: a popular bike park, numerous legal roads, as well as adjoining Otago Rail Trail. Besides mountain biking, the area offers other recreational opportunities like tramping, snowshoeing, trail running, walking, photography, horse-riding, nature study and history appreciation. The land is crowned by schist tors and blanketed in tall tussock grassland.

There’s an opportunity to expand public access over and above what is presently provided for if overseas buyers get involved in the sale. FMC has therefore submitted a letter of recommendation to the Overseas Investment Office, outlining the recreational values of the land and advising how to protect those values in case the OIO becomes involved in the sale.

In case the land is bought by a domestic buyer, Alexandra Mountain Biking Community is committed to working with the new owners, to secure the continuation of the bike park and free public access to it. FMC will support the Alexandra MTB Community in whatever way necessary to keep this outstanding piece of high country accessible to everyone.

Photo: Matangi Station, (c) John Robinson