Kim and Janette Osborne have weathered injury, drought, and political controversy to build a resilient farming and wool enterprise at Hollow Hill Farm near Waitomo writes Chris Gardner.
Janette and Kim Osborne on their Hollow Hill Farm. Photo: Chris Gardner
Hollow Hill Farm, formerly Te Toko Station, has been home to Kim Osborne since 1984, when he moved there with his parents, Bob and Judy, and sister Tui.
Today, Kim and his wife Janette run the 800-hectare property on Hauturu Road near Waitomo Caves wintering more than 1600 ewes, 300 two-tooth ewes, and 80 Angus breeding cows.
Sheep and lambs on Hollow Hill
They also nurture a unique flock of Corriedale-cross sheep for Briar Patch, their wool business.
Their journey has been anything but smooth, marked by injury, drought, and tough breeding seasons – yet each challenge has sparked new ideas and opportunities.
The couple officially took over the farm in 2023, but the next 18 months tested the couple’s resolve.
In April last year Kim was seriously injured when a wool bale fell on him, leaving him with a 10-month recovery.
King Country Farmer November 2025
Spring brought further hardship with a breeding disaster – only nine calves from 80 Angus cows – followed by a summer drought that forced them to sell nearly all their lambs as store stock.
“We got through this with the help of casual staff, friends and family,” Janette says.
So, when Country Calendar came calling, the Osbornes saw more than a chance to share their story. They hoped the exposure might boost Briar Patch and help offset lost cattle income.
“Country Calendar always likes to feature a small business alongside a farming operation,” Janette says.
The episode, which feature their natural knitting yarns side hustle, will finally air this month.
Both Kim and Janette share their story on screen.
Hollow Hill Farm on a glorious King Country day.
The Department of Conservation owned Hollow Hill Cave accessed from the farm by permit.
But the episode didn’t air as planned as in the lead-up to local body elections, TVNZ postponed the programme after a complaint that Janette was being given an unfair advantage.
At the time, she was running for Waitomo mayor and the Waitomo Rural Ward. She missed out on the mayoralty but retained her rural council seat by a narrow margin.
“It’s just fantastic it will finally air,” Janette says. “I’m so sorry that it was stopped.”
For Briar Patch, which began in Canterbury in 2006 and now produces fine, naturally coloured wool for international markets, the timing couldn’t have been better.
When Janette moved north in 2010 – having met Kim the previous year – she brought her llamas, black sheep, and dog – and a vision for creating premium wool.
Kim Osborne
Today, her flock of around 200 black sheep produces fibre that is soft enough for next-to-skin wear, averaging 25 microns, and comes in a palette of shades from pale coffee and silver-grey to deep browns and near-black.
“Through careful and selective breeding, the wool is exactly where I wanted it to be,” she says.
That dedication has taken Briar Patch wool to international stages, including Vogue Knitting Live in New York and the World Merino Conference in France.
More recently, her work as a director of Carrfields Primary Wool and chair of Primary Wool Co-operative introduced her to hemp fibre, leading to exclusive New Zealand rights for the Hemp for Knitting yarn range from Canada.
It’s a diversification that reflects the same philosophy driving Hollow Hill Farm – resilience, innovation, and a commitment to quality.
The main commercial sheep flock is Perendale.
“My flock is my special breed which is predominantly Corriedale but also contains heritage from Arapawa, Oxford, Gotland, Romney and now Wesleydale,” says Kim.
The Country Calendar crew also explored the Department of Conservation owned Hollow Hill Cave accessed from the farm by permit.
Janette Osborne
Kim’s son George, fiancé Callie, and neighbours Corin and Brydie Walker Bain led the party.
“It took the six helpers to help the three Country Calendar Film crew in and carry in all the lights and film equipment,” says Kim.
Hollow Hill is believed the largest cavern in the North Island with capacity for a small cruiser liner and is listed by Waikato Regional Council as being of national significance.
More than 280 hectares has been retained in native bush with a further 20 hectares being planted in 35,000 manuka plants.
From the depths of Hollow Hill Cave to the rolling paddocks of Perendale and Corriedale sheep, the Osbornes have built a farming story defined by resilience and reinvention.
What began as a family farm has grown into a diversified enterprise blending tradition with innovation – from premium wool and hemp yarns to conservation projects that protect native bush.
Looking ahead, Kim’s daughter – former Piopio College pupil and Tokyo Olympics rowing silver medallist Hannah Osborne-Allen – will eventually take over the farming operation.
With Hannah poised to take the reins, Hollow Hill Farm is set to continue its legacy of adaptability and excellence for generations to come.
In the spotlight: Janette Osborne responds to questions from the Country Calendar crew about her boutique wool operation.
