Rural
It might be a drought - but it's part of a 'perfect storm' facing farmers
Farmers are a resilient bunch, but the conditions they're facing are out of the ordinary, the Agriculture Minister says.
Farmers in top of South Island still facing extremely dry conditions
Many farmers across the top of the South Island are still facing extremely dry conditions, with no significant rain on the horizon. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay met with farmers in South… Audio
Live export ban petition passes 20,000 signatures
A lobby group is spending $1 million to make sure the ban is overturned, and animal rights campaigners are fighting back.
From woolshed to bed - two sisters spin their homeware dreams
How did two sisters design throws and blankets using lambs wool from the family farm? Kate Cullwick and Prue Watson share the secret to their Foxtrot Home business success and why it's essential to… Audio
Young fruit growers climb the hort ladder
Kaahu Birdling and Jordan Popata are supervisors at Thomas Brothers Orchard in Riwaka. They manage their own teams and are embracing every opportunity to learn about leadership and orchard management.
…Country Life for Friday 15 March 2024
From woolshed to bed - two sisters spin their homeware dreams, Young fruit growers climb the hort ladder, A blast from the past - Mustering in Marlborough and a wrap of the week's rural news Audio
A wrap of the week's rural news
More government support will be heading the way of farmers and growers in the Marlborough, Tasman and Nelson districts where an intense dry spell has been labelled a medium-scale adverse event. Audio
Farmer confidence 'still in the gutter'
Federated Farmers says it is good to see an improvement in confidence, but it is coming from the "lowest base we've ever had".
'No turning back' - horse-trekking from Bluff to Picton
Karolin van Onna had been talking about horse trekking the length of the South Island for years and last summer she finally did it. Audio
"Fresh ideas, younger muscles" - taking on the family farm
Sarah Maxwell switches from inseminating cows in the morning to shifting cows and sheep in the afternoon, working at the local sale yards and more besides. Audio
'No turning back' - From Bluff to Picton on horseback
Karolin van Onna and her friend had dreamt about horse trekking the length of the South Island for years - and last summer they finally did it. Video, Audio
Country Life for Friday 8 March 2024
'Give us a break!' say surfing farmers, a back country dream comes true on horseback, Sarah Maxwell's farming journey and a wrap of the week's rural news. Audio
A wrap of the week's rural news
A chat about the top stories this week from RNZ's rural news team with Susan Murray in Kirikiriroa Hamilton. Audio
MPI aims to slash consultant spend by 34%
The department, which is being asked to find overall savings of 7.5 percent, spent $57.81m on consultants and contractors in the 2022-23 financial year.
Rural Games taking place in Palmerston North this weekend
Contenders young and old from around the country have been revving their chainsaws and refining their red band tossing technique to prepare for this weekend's Rural Games. It's New Zealand's largest… Audio
Otago: update on Bluecliffs erosion state of emergency
Time now to head to the regions and today we're getting the latest from Otago with RNZ reporter Tess Brunton Audio
Rural athletes converge on Palmerston North
Thousands are expected for the event which is now in its tenth year. Audio
Dry conditions in South Island a 'tough time' for farmers - Minister
Some farmers at the top of the South Island are already distributing their winter feed supplies to stock as dry conditions bite.
Whangārei farmers kept poorly fed, emaciated cows - court
Underfed cows on a Northland dairy farm were in such poor condition that some had ingrown horns and eye infections. One was so emaciated that a vet recommended it be euthanised, a court has heard.