Rural
"Nature's itching to put the bush back"
From a block of gorse-infected scrubland on Banks Peninsula, renowned botanist Hugh Wilson has spent half a lifetime growing Hinewai Reserve into a 1600-hectare paradise of regenerated native forest… Audio
Forging through tough times
Blacksmith Jamie Hughes has a niche business crafting knives and hand-forged metalwork for chefs, farmers and tourists from his smithy in Norsewood. Tough economic times means he's feeling it from all… Audio
Shear-will and the power of traditional healing
Serena Lyders has found her calling as a traditional Māori healer, giving back to rural communities and working with shearers all around the motu. Audio
Rural News Wrap
A round-up of the week's agricultural news with RNZ rural news reporter Sally Murphy Audio
Country Life for Friday 24 May 2024
This week Country Life meets a traditional Māori healer helping shearers around the motu and things heat up in a blacksmith's forge in Norsewood. Later we explore a native forest that grew from rough… Audio
Controversial chemical deemed 'safe to use' but growers face new rules
Kiwifruit growers are relieved they can keep using an agri-chemical that has been under scrutiny recently.
Midday Rural News for 21 May 2024
Heavy rain is causing some problems for farmers on the East Coast. Audio
Meet the Kiwis ditching modern life for 'homesteading'
A growing number of Kiwis are making the switch to the homesteading lifestyle - foregoing the conveniences of modern life with the aim to grow as much of their own food as possible. Audio
Fernhill - From DOC to dairy on the family farm
Fifth generation dairy farmer Jason Christensen took a break from the family farm to try life as a DOC ranger. His experience in the world of conservation, evident on the Mt Bruce farm in the… Audio
Country Life for 17 May 2024
This week on Country Life we hear about a country vet's daring horseback escape from Afghanistan over the mountains on horseback after 9/11. We meet Pounamu Skelton who is on a mission to help Maori… Audio
Company creating cow-less dairy products given green light to expand
Daisy Lab has been given the go-ahead to scale up production 500-fold.
Beekeeper furious over burning of $2m honey crop
North Canterbury's Steven Brown is calling for a new approach to a hive-destroying disease. Audio
Midday Rural News for 14 May 2024
Growers are scrambling to help their Vanuatu RSE workers stuck here. Audio
Egg and poultry businesses 'lucky' bird flu not here yet
Bird flu, the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus, was top of the agenda at the International Poultry Council's annual meeting in Argentina last week.
Banned plant toxic to humans and livestock set to bloom
Farmers and gardeners are being asked to keep an eye out for a poisonous pest plant that will bloom in June.