Rural
Could small-scale farms be the best way to feed the country?
Alison Bentley is a small-scale farmer with big ideas on how smaller farms can help solve the growing problem of food insecurity in New Zealand.
Country Life: Conditions on the farm
Grapes are being picked in Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa, Taranaki's in drought and the hop harvest is about to start in Tasman. Audio
Could small-scale farms be the best way to feed the country?
Seven hectares can produce a "magnificent" amount of food. So says small-scale farmer and Kellogg scholar Alison Bentley who's done just that, growing beef cattle, hazelnuts and a wide range of fruit… Audio
Wairarapa town hosts annual Golden Shears competition
Golden Shears President Trish Stevens shares her love of the wool industry and which heats the one to watch at this year's shearing and woolhandling championship event in Masterton. Audio
On the Farm - a wrap of conditions around the country
A round-up of conditions on farms and orchards around the country. Audio
Country Life Friday 28 February 2025
Coming up on Country Life... we meet a small-scale farmer who has big ideas on how smaller farms can help solve the growing problem of food insecurity in New Zealand... and a Southland deer farmer… Audio
'No one else is doing it': Farmer rapt with edible bale netting
Paddocks free of plastic wrapping waste are becoming a reality thanks to Grant Lightfoot.
Midday Rural News for 28 February 2025
New Zealand's first-ever seaweed festival kicks off this weekend. Audio
Drought declared in Taranaki amid 'desperate conditions'
Hot dry conditions and below average rainfall have affected pasture growth and farmers have had to feed-out or sell livestock earlier.
Midday Rural News for 27 February 2025
Taranaki farmers will finally get some support for the extremely dry conditions they are facing. Audio
Morning Report Essentials for Wednesday 26 February 2025
On today's episode, Foreign Minister Winston Peters meets his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi in Beijing on Wednesday, the Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is expected to make an announcement on Wednesday… Audio
Churches and a funeral home set on fire in Masterton
The mayor of Masterton says the community has been overwhelmed by local support - after multiple churches and a funeral home were set on fire Saturday. Masterton Mayor Gary Caffell spoke to Corin… Audio
Farmers turn weed into wellness products
Hemp grows beside wheat, barley and peas at Blair and Jody Drysdale's farm in Northern Southland. The seeds are pressed and made into nutritional oil and skincare cream, that the couple sell direct to…
Sunflower community project brightening Central Hawke's Bay
A dairy farm field filled with sunflowers in Central Hawke's Bay is bringing joy and happiness to the local community, with people invited to walk through the flowers, and pick some to take away.
Farmers turn weed into wellness products
Hemp grows beside wheat, barley and peas at Blair and Jody Drysdale's farm in northern Southland. The seeds are pressed in the farmyard and made into nutritional oil and skincare cream, that the… Audio
Sino-vino ties - a wine-lover linking China and New Zealand
Fang Mei fell in love with wine after working in the banking industry in New Zealand and China. Now she has her own vineyard here and educates people in China about New Zealand wine, gleaning insights… Audio
Ag student's dreams come true 15 years on
We check back in with Hamish Best of Conscious Valley just outside Wellington. A keen ag student the last time he spoke to Country Life, he's now a finalist for the prestigious trans-Tasman Zanda… Audio
Rural news wrap for 21 February 2025
A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector Audio
