The country's largest farm is about to undergo its biggest change in 140 years of operation.
In July, control of Molesworth Station which straddles Canterbury and Marlborough will be transferred to the Department of Conservation.
That has raised many eyebrows in the high country farming community - a community already deeply frustrated with government policies in the area they live.
Over 180,000 hectares in size and 65 kilometres wide, the station is home to 9000 cattle and one proud manager.
"We're humbled to be here, it's a unique and special property not just for the farming community but the wider community as well," says Jim Ward.
The Conservation Department is set to become the new landlord and say they want to allow more public recreation and more conservation but with so many interests involved there is a lot at stake.
A recent field day may have been about showcasing the station, but it also carried some political sting with many feeling the future of New Zealand's high country will become a hot election issue
Those contentious issues include land tenure review and, most recently, public access to all farmland.
"I tell you there is a problem and it will be dealt to," says Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton.
Sutton received a lukewarm response during the field day and a stark warning that frustration on issues like access is mounting at the farm gate.
"It is greater now than in any time in my political experience," says John Aspinall of Federated Farmers.
Now though, everyone is waiting to see how three often conflicting passions - farming, recreation and conservation - can co-exist.
"We know exactly what the bottom line is regarding productivity and there is no reason why we can't increase productivity and have the public here," says Ward.
It's a promise that many people will be watching closely.
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