Actor's pigs in surprise visit to Tasmania

Mr Neill's pigs at Langdale Farm, Tasmania

Two pigs belonging to New Zealand actor and vineyard owner Sam Neill have turned up in Tasmania, to the astonishment of farming couple Fiona and Oliver Stocker, who woke to find the sow and her slip on their tiny, free range pig farm at Glengarry, in the West Tamar Valley in the island's north. 

The pigs were found feasting on a crop of pears from the farm. 'We recognised them at once as belonging to Mr Neill, as they're quite distinctive and feature on his social media, along with Susan Sarandon and Bryan Brown, quite often,' said Ms Stocker. As 'large whites', they were easy to tell apart from the rare breed Berkshires that the couple raise on their farm. 'Plus we don't normally allow ours on the back patio,' she added. ​

It's believed the pigs are an advance guard sent by Mr Neill to Tasmania, who is appearing on 18th May at this year's BOFA Film Festival in Launceston. 'We think he's sent them over the check out the region's Pinot Noir and sniff out interesting varietals,' said Ms Stocker, who is employed part time by the Tamar Valley Wine Route. 'Pigs have fine noses and are known to like a good drop. It could be industrial espionage of course. Can't say.' The pigs were also unable to comment.   

Mr Neill famously owns the vineyard Two Paddocks in New Zealand's premium wine region of Central Otago, producing exceptionally fine Pinot Noir and also Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. The wines are similar to those of the Tamar, also one of the world's premium cool climate wine regions. 

Actor Sam Neill's pigs on the back patio of the farm.

The Stockers have offered to host the pigs until Mr Neill visits Launceston in two weeks' time for BOFA and can be reunited with them. "We won't be putting them in our farm stay accommodation because that's usually for paying guests," said Ms Stocker. "But they're very comfortable in the paddocks and we'll certainly show them some of the sights of Launceston and northern Tasmania, and offer them a tour of the Tamar's great wines while they're here, for comparison to those of their own region."

​Mr Neill could be assured there was no possibility of the pigs being used for bacon while on the farm, she added. 

​Persons who may be able to contact Mr Neill to advise him of his pigs' whereabouts should contact the farm. For further news of the pigs, please check back on the Langdale Farm Facebook page later in the week. ​

---

We're now able to bring you these further updates on Sam Neill's pigs, as they continue to be made welcome in Tasmania, taking in the sights in both town and country. 'These are well behaved pigs,' remarked farmer and author Fiona Stocker. 'Really, you'd hardly know they were there.' 

Meeting fellow rare breed the Tassie tiger in Launceston's central mall

River walk and Autumn colours in Deloraine

Out to lunch. The pigs joining a tourism networking meeting at Inside Cafe.