Past
Present
People.
Past
Originally, Benmore Station was a 240,166-acre farm that span from the head of Lake Ohau with natural borders marked by the Ohau River (now Lake Ruataniwha) to the north and the Ahuriri River to the south.
It was first taken up by prominent Otago runholder Robert Campbell in 1852 before being subdivided for returned servicemen from World War I and has been farmed by Sutherland's ever since.
James Sutherland managed the property for Campbell and Co in 1916 and was given the opportunity to farm Run 543, known then as the"Homestead Block", which is Benmore Station as it is today.
Harsh winters with heavy snow saw huge stock loss during his time as guardian of the land.
Although sheep breeds have evolved over time, one thing has stayed the same - wool has always remained at the heart of the station and the primary product.
In those early years, wool was hauled over the pass to Kurow by traction engine and sold at auction in Oamaru at the old wool scour, a building that still stands today in the historic part of town.
In 1968, James ‘Jim’ Sutherland saw an opportunity to freehold the land. A very forward-thinking and costly decision at the time.
A year later, he and wife Kathleen established the Benmore Station Hereford Stud. It quickly became an iconic stud, drawing buyers each May for the annual Benmore Bull Sales.
The stud became well known for producing “Cattle with the Extra Heart” — a nod to the distinctive double-heart brand carried by Benmore Station.
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The Hereford Stud was deregistered in 2004, but the double-heart ethos and brand lived on.
Today, it remains a recognisable symbol of Benmore Station and continues to be used as the official station logo, proudly stamped on all Benmore wool bales.
The Benmore Merino Stud was established in 1983 and following Jim’s sudden death in 1985, his son’s Bill and Andrew returned home and took over running the station.
Present
These days, Benmore Station is proudly run by fourth generation Sutherlands, William ‘Bill’ and wife Kate together with Andrew and wife Deidre.
In the late 1980s, as farms across the region began pioneering the move to Merino sheep, Benmore Station followed suit. Recognising their unique ability to thrive in the harsh, rugged conditions of North Otago, Bill and Andrew saw the opportunity to build a resilient and high-performing operation around the breed.
Merinos remain at the heart of Benmore today. Across the combined properties, the station runs close to 12,000 Merino ewes, along with the widely acclaimed Benmore Merino Stud - with Merino and Half Bred Rams and Sires available for purchase.
This operation is supported by more than 5,000 half-bred ewes and approximately 750 breeding Hereford cows.
Internationally recognised for our ability to produce a range of high-quality fine and superfine Merino wool, as well as premium half-bred wool, Benmore Station continues to proudly supply wool with The New Zealand Merino Company.
Our wool is used by a number of leading international brand partners including Icebreaker, Smart Wool, Mons Royale, Reda, Loro Piana, All Birds, Glerups and more.
In 1999, Bill and Andrew bought Ahuriri Downs and then Clay Cliffs in 2016 which are farmed together to complement the Benmore operations.
Water, a critical and historically scarce resource in the Upper Waitaki Valley, was first introduced to the station in 2006 through the Benmore Irrigation Scheme. For a region long defined by dry conditions, the scheme was revolutionary, delivering reliable water and transforming the way Benmore Station farms. This marked a pivotal shift into a more resilient, productive, and modern farming era.
Many historic buildings remain on the property, including the station’s woolshed, original shepherds’ quarters, stables and wool store. All these buildings stand in their original, untouched condition — preserving the heritage and stories of a family that has proudly farmed this harsh yet delicate environment for generations.
People
Benmore Station remains a proudly family run high country station, shaped by the same passion and dedication to farming that guided our ancestors many years ago.
Throughout Benmore's history, countless skilled stockmen and women have lived and worked here, shaping the fabric of the station with their time, resilience and deep connection to the land.
In a country blessed with diverse terrain, the Otago High Country stands apart - wild, raw and unforgiving. From harsh winters to scorching hot summers, steep alpine faces to sweeping flats.
It's an environment that demands respect and no one understands the land better than those who work it the most. For those who call this place home, farming isn't simply a job, it's a way of life.
Our people are deeply immersed in this environment, knowing we are merely guardians of the land for the time we're here.
At Benmore, caring for the land is a lifelong responsibility, a mission we embrace wholeheartedly. Our people are guided by a genuine desire to care for the land to ensure its longevity for many generations to come.