Country Life

The Country Life team take you all over the motu to hear the extraordinary stories of every day rural New Zealand.

Hosted and produced by Sally Round, Cosmo Kentish-Barnes, Duncan Smith and Gianina Schwanecke

An abstract heart constructed from shapes similar to rural fields seen in aerial photography sits behind the text 'Country Life'.

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FULL SHOW: Country Life for 11 April 2025

This week on Country Life the team take a walk on the wild side with a herd of water buffalo in Clevedon, check out a botanical growing trial in Taranaki and visit an Invercargill native nursery.
New episode
A milking herd of water buffaloes enjoying their feed.

Clevedon - where the water buffalo roam

Clevedon couple Richard and Helen Dorresteyn were the first to farm water buffalo in New Zealand. These giant, burly beasts produce the softest award-winning cheeses.
Richard Dorresteyn with some of his herd of water buffaloes.

Weathering the 'worst drought in 50 years' as an organic dairy farmer

Organic dairy farmer Janet Fleming is in her eighth season of once a day milking, something she credits with helping get her through Taranaki's recent drought. She's also trialing growing a range of new botanicals.
Janet Fleming has been an organic dairy farmer for 20 years. More recently she's branched out into growing a range of organic botanicals.

Eco-sourced plants are flying out the gate at a Rūnaka-owned nursery

Phil Moeke is the manager of Te Kōhaka o Tāne, a commercial nursery in Invercargill that has grown over 800,000 native trees and plants since it opened in 2022.
Te Kōhaka o Tāne

Rural News Wrap for 11 April 2025

A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector
Sheep

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 4 April 2025

This week on Country Life the team catch up with a Wairarapa farming family that's added sheep dairy to their farming operation, and every day is a hoot for Gloria Harris, who runs a little owl and morepork rescue service near Invercargill.
A traditional sheep and beef farmer, Jeff was always interested in dairy. He's found sheep dairy has been a good addition to their traditional farm set up.

'Milk from an almond, then why not a sheep': Fernglen Farm's sheep dairy addition

Fernglen Farm is a family affair helping people learn more about the benefits of sheep milk, while finding new ways to balance the hardships of farming on Wairarapa's coast.
It's a family affair at Fernglen farm with each of Jeff and Shirley Ravenwood's three children - Ben, Cameron and Baeley - all involved in the business.

Southland retiree takes injured night birds under her wing

Gloria Harris has been running a ruhu nohinohi little owl and ruru morepork rescue service for 30 years. "I've probably cared for close to 300 birds," she told Country Life proudly.
Owl Rescue

SheepMaster: Hawke's Bay farm's foray into shedding sheep

Dean Martin has carried on the legacy set by his dad and is not afraid to try new things - from shedding sheep to regenerative agriculture practices.
Dean Martin of Glenlands Farm.

On the Farm for 4 April 2025

A round-up of conditions on farms and orchards around the country.
Dairy cows grazing on supplementary feed in Taranaki.

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 28 March 2025

Country Life this week digs deep into the world of kūmara and finds out about farm training for young people with disabilities.
The pumpkin harvest at Kai Rotorua

On-farm learning a success - "I've been enjoying it. I like being with the cows and being in the shed"

A training initiative in Southland is giving young adults with high-functioning disabilities the skills required to work on a dairy farm.
Dairy farm training programme

The Kūmara Connection

It's nearly time for the kūmara harvest at Kai Rotorua and this year there's something new to weave into the legends, poetry and traditional knowledge surrounding the staple crop.
Te Rangikaheke Kiripatea in the kūmara storage house made of hempcrete

Rural News Wrap for 28 March 2025

A look at what's been making headlines on the rural news desk this week.
Hawke's Bay cherries being sold in Auckland.

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 21 March 2025

This week the Country Life team catch up with some sheep farmers busy with docking and crutching on the land, and then a taste of the sea, as they sample different seaweeds.
Mt Tarawera at sunrise

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