ABOUT US
Putting sustainability and Kiwi ingenuity at the heart of our operations, we are trying to do farming a little bit differently.
The story of Tōtara Hills officially begins in the year 2000 – the turn of the century; a time of change, excitement and re-evaluation, and also the time Grant Cochrane returned to his homeland to work on the land that he loves. From the first day he brought his family to Glenomaru Valley, the Cochranes were at home. The farm was a working beef and deer farm for the next decade, and it was wonderful – until life had other plans. Now, nearly 25 years since he did his first kilometre of fencing in the Catlins, the Cochrane family and a team of dedicated and innovative farmers are working on the newly expanded 6,000-acre sheep, beef and deer farm. Putting sustainability and Kiwi ingenuity at the heart of our operations, we are trying to do farming a little bit differently.
In the 25-year interlude between Version 1 and Version 2 of Tōtara Hills, Grant was busy building a business called Oritain – the global leader in applying forensic science to helps the world’s leading brands comply with regulation, meet ESG commitments and reduce the risk of unethical practices. Inevitably, the Cochrane family had to see first-hand what unsustainable practices look like – which is why we try to do things a little differently on our farm. You can read more about that here.
Tōtara Hills is a commitment to innovation and sustainability. We embody a thoughtful, holistic approach to farming; informed by our past and future.
Tōtara Hills is a sheep and beef breeding and finishing operation, with a focus on producing high quality products, reared sustainably and in a way that works in harmony with our environment.
Nestled in the heart of the Catlins, Tōtara Hills is located in a region of blustering and strange beauties.
Our ETHOS
Tōtara Hills is a commitment to innovation and sustainability. We embody a thoughtful, holistic approach to farming; informed by our past and future. Tōtara Hills is a business built on community and family, and we truly believe in giving back to the area.
We are also believers in quality; and we sing the praises of New Zealand’s top-quality produce. We believe in producing the highest standards of beef, lamb and venison – and we really pride ourselves on sharing this with the international market.
Finally, and importantly, we believe in sharing both our knowledge and our beautiful landscape. This is why we have a dream of creating luxury accommodation and bespoke experiences for our guests to enjoy the charm and uniqueness of a regenerative working farm, while never compromising on luxury, quality and premium services.
Our LIVESTOCK
Tōtara Hills is a sheep and beef breeding and finishing operation, with a focus on producing high quality products, which is reared sustainably and in a way that works in harmony with our environment. Animal welfare is a key to our decision-making, and we always ensure that our animals have the best possible lives on the farm.
We currently run a flock of 4000 Romney ewes. These ewes have been selected for their hardiness, fabulous mothering ability and high levels of performance on our hill country land. This flock is complimented by a 400 strong cow herd, made up primarily of Angus cows, who are well-suited to the native grasses, variable topography and less productive land found on the tops of our hills.
We also have a small herd of Speckle Park cows. These are a passion of ours, as their high IMF (Intramuscular fat), quiet temperament and high milk production make for an animal that rears progeny that challenge some of the best Wagyu steak. They also happen to be very cute to look at!
Livestock are the primary focus of the farming operation at Tōtara Hills, so raising these animals in a way that is sustainable, has a positive impact on our environment and our staff, and is of the highest quality is at the heart of what we do.
Our AREA
Nestled in the heart of the Catlins, Tōtara Hills is located in a region of blustering and strange beauties. It sits below the shaky terrains of Te Waipounamu (the South Island), and is cradled on one side by the cold waters of the South Pacific and protected on the other by the lofty Southern Alps.
There is a whole world to discover within this corner of Aotearoa – especially if you’re seeking an unadulterated nature experience. You can get up-close and personal with sea lions at Surat Bay; take a dip in Curio Bay a little further south; venture into the Cathedral Caves; soak up the views at Nugget Point Lighthouse; or, and this is our favourite, settle in to the sounds of the native birds in the bush on Tōtara Hills.