Marlborough

Muller Station is located in the upper reaches of Marlborough’s Awatere Valley in the northern South Island. The station sits approximately 87 kilometres up Awatere Valley Road and occupies some of New Zealand’s most iconic high-country landscape. 

The farming system is based around Merino sheep and beef cattle. The station runs approximately 13,000 Merino sheep producing premium fine wool, alongside approximately 2,600 cattle including a significant breeding cow herd. Wool remains an important contributor to the business, with much of the clip supplying premium apparel markets, while livestock sales provide an increasingly important source of income. 

The station also operates a Merino stud programme established in 2005, focused on breeding productive, resilient sheep suited to high-country conditions. The sheep system is built around a dual-purpose Merino that performs across both wool and meat production. The aim is to produce sheep that are productive, resilient and well suited to the station's high-country environment, while delivering strong wool quality and lamb performance. 

Farm Story: 

Muller Station is one of New Zealand’s best-known high-country farming businesses. Situated at the head of the Awatere Valley alongside Molesworth Station, the property has built a reputation for combining profitable livestock farming with long-term environmental stewardship. 

Owned and operated by Steve and Mary Satterthwaite, alongside the next generation of the family, including Alice Satterthwaite and Ben Satterthwaite, the station remains a family-run business with a strong focus on farming, environmental stewardship and long-term sustainability. 

The Satterthwaite family have spent decades adapting their farming system to a challenging high-country environment characterised by low rainfall, cold winters and large areas of rugged terrain. Alongside producing premium Merino wool and livestock, the family has invested heavily in biodiversity management, pest and weed control, and protecting the unique ecological values of the station. 

The Satterthwaite’s were recognised as Marlborough Farmer of the Year, reflecting both its farming performance and its commitment to responsible land management. The family are highly engaged in industry leadership and are well known for sharing their experiences with the wider farming community.