Farming
Farmers Markets celebrate success
At the weekend, tens-of-thousands of New Zealanders supported their local growers at the country's 25-or-so Farmers Markets.
The markets, which comprise more than 1000 small food businesses, have… Audio
'Give us a break!' say surfing farmers
Every Thursday afternoon, Banks Peninsula farmers head to the beach in Hickory Bay and ride waves to forget about work. Farmer and surfing coach, Kristin Savage, runs the Surfing for Farmers… 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.
Frustrated farmer says grassland deemed ‘outstanding natural landscape’
Some landowners were recently caught by surprise when the proposed West Coast district 'one' plan deemed sections of land as Outstanding Natural Landscape.
Midday Rural News for 7 March 2024
Despite sales of New Zealand-made infant formula remaining strong to our main market of China - producers are being warned against relying on just one market.
Monique Steele has the rural news. Audio
'Sensible' for infant formula producers to look beyond China for sales
The advice comes as China increases its own domestic dairy production and birth rates remain low.
More than 11,000 support petition to keep ban on live animal exports
The petition's organiser says he worked in the livestock export industry for 40 years and fears repealing the ban will unravel all the hard work that has been done.
Red-meat export value falls to five year low
Volatility in global markets has resulted in red-meat exports for January falling to a five year low.
Midday Rural News for 6 March 2024
International attention is honing in on forestry practices over on the East Coast, with promises audits around harvest practices will improve.
Monique Steele has the rural news. 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.
Midday Rural News for 5 March 2024
Orchardists in China have been illegally growing Zespri's SunGold fruit - and now they're using counterfeit Zespri packaging.
Monique Steele has the rural news. Audio