Meet Angela and Hamish Cottle, the husband-and-wife team behind Highgrounds Farm in Downlands, South Canterbury. They're one of the farms behind Harmony pork, the brand we've chosen for Good Groceries by Wonky, and their approach to farming shows exactly what we're backing.
When Hamish returned to his family's farm in 2007, they needed a way to support two families on one property. They found it in free-range pigs—but not just any setup. A system where pigs could actually be pigs.
Today, Highgrounds runs 280 breeding sows alongside sheep and beef on 370 hectares of South Canterbury farmland. The pigs get proper space to roam—no cages, no concrete floors. Just open fields, fresh air, and sunshine.
The sows get purpose-built heated yurts for farrowing, designed so mum can come and go while keeping piglets safe. The philosophy is simple: provide plenty of bedding, feed on demand, and access to grass and shelter. Keep the pigs comfortable, and they'll thrive.
The Cottles move their pigs around the farm on a five to six-year rotation. Pigs spend four to five months in older pasture, naturally fertilising the soil as they root around. Once they move on, the paddock is sown into a catch crop which is harvested for other stock, then returns to pasture for sheep and beef.
Keeping the pigs on "cleanground" minimises disease risk. The result is better grass, better crops, healthier soil, happier pigs and a farm that works smarter.
Angela is the South Island Technical Specialist for soil and fertiliser at PGG Wrightson. With a farm management degree, 18 years of fertiliser experience and a passion for soil science, she brings cutting-edge knowledge back to the farm and handles the policy work that keeps a modern operation running.
Hamish completed a butchery apprenticeship before working as a Jackaroo mustering cattle in outback Australia (on horseback and by helicopter), then spent time playing rugby and working on farms in Scotland. When he came home, he brought a clear vision for better farming.
Together, they've built a farm that works for their family, their animals, and their land.
The Cottles face the same challenges as other Kiwi farmers - rising costs and competition from cheap imported pork that floods our supermarkets. The quality gap and welfare standards are massive. While farmers like Angela and Hamish are passionate about giving their animals the best possible life, imported pork often comes from systems that prioritise cost-cutting over welfare.
This is why we chose to stock Harmony pork, because it comes from farms like Highgrounds. When you buy from Good Groceries by Wonky, you know your meat comes from farmers who prioritise animal welfare and sustainable farming practices.
No mystery meat. Just traceable, ethical pork from a real South Canterbury family farm, delivered fresh with your Wonky Box.
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