The Wolds Station encompasses much of the iconic "brown" lanscape of the Mackenzie Basin. Tussock grassland accross a landscape shaped by glacial geomorphology and erosion. Closer inspection will reveal a landscape ravaged by rabbit plagues and the weed pest hieracium. Its a harsh place to farm, yet several generations of farmers have applied strong stewardship to keep the land from further deterioration. A number of tiny rare native plants still survive and thrive despite the degradation, grazing and extreme climate
South Canterbury's history is tied to the large stock raising units known as pastoral runs. The runs are Crown lease land, either renewable crown pastoral lease land on a thirty-three year term, with permanent right of renewal and rental assessed on stock limitations or pastoral run licences. Very few farmers paid off their leases as the rental was low. Some did and this land became freehold, unrestricted ownership. May 30 1889 run leases were put up for auction by the Government. The Land Act of 1892 provided that, unless under special circumstances, no run shall be of greater extent than would carry 20,000 sheep. Most runs contain some flat river valley land that is intensively developed and contain much larger areas of rugged tussock land. Many of the runs were subdivided for closer settlement