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Inflating cost of running a farm now structural - report
The cost of running a farm in New Zealand is more than a quarter higher than it was before the Covid pandemic, a new report shows.
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More pain for supermarket shoppers once war impact kicks in
18 Mar 2026Shoppers will take another hit when the fallout from the Iran war hits the supermarket shelves, a Foodstuffs boss says. Audio
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Demand for New Zealand cream surges in China
18 Mar 2026A growing middle class enjoying products like cakes and iced-teas in China is seeing demand for New Zealand cream surge.
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Wattie's NZ's proposed cuts 'a really big blow' to seed, arable growers
17 Mar 2026The seed industry was taking stock of what last week's announcement by Wattie's would mean for growers.
Country headlines with summaries.
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Farmers face uncertain future as fuel prices skyrocket
Gavins business manager Chris Paterson said they have been forking out an extra $60,000 a week since prices went up. Audio
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Winston Peters slams departing Fonterra boss
The NZ First leader has called the dairy giant a "sell-out globalist company".
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Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell resigns
16 Mar 2026Fonterra's chair says after a 25-year career with the dairy giant Hurrell has decided that the time is right for him to leave.
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A grape harvest pick 'n' mix
14 Mar 2026Friends, fun and community are all in the mix at a small Wairarapa vineyard's first grape pick of the season.
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'Breaking a sweat, having some fun': How line dancing found a home in the city
14 Mar 2026Line dancing is accessible, low-pressure, and fun to do with friends - and townies are among its biggest fans, Country Life discovered.
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Making memories at the Shepherdess Muster
14 Mar 2026A weekend retreat filled with crafts, relaxation, learning, fun and connection in the remote rural community of Tokanui in Southland.
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Logistics boost for Gisborne's Eastland Port ahead of big kiwifruit harvest
13 Mar 2026Growers in Gisborne have a long-awaited alternative to road transport to get their produce out of the region.
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'Warmer, drier, windier': Carterton faces more flooding, fires and drought
13 Mar 2026Carterton District Council has flagged climate as one of its top three strategic risks.
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Wattie's a big name reminder of pressure on NZ manufacturers
Heinz Wattie's announced this week it was planning to close some of its manufacturing operations.
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'Another nail in the coffin': Wattie's supplier fears for industry
Methven farmer Hamish Marr has supplied Wattie's with peas for around 20 years, and says the proposed closures is devastating for staff and growers alike. Audio
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'We can't be left behind': Wattie's employee pleads for government help
12 Mar 2026A Wattie's factory employee fears for her and her colleagues' futures, saying it has been decades since some of them have had to interview for a job. Audio
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Decorated East Coast fencing champion chases three-peat at Rural Games
13 Mar 2026Tim Garrick could win his third New Zealand Speed Fencing Championship at the Rural Games in Palmerston North this weekend.
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Pre-harvest karakia brings together team at kiwifruit orchard
12 Mar 2026About 100 people are expected at Friday's blessing at Pukerau Orchard, which has been owned by Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust since 2018.
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A taste of farm life in the central city
Auckland's Cornwall Park is opening its gates for 'Farm Week' from Saturday.
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350 jobs at risk in Heinz Wattie's proposed closures
11 Mar 2026The company's plan includes axing a number of products and brands, including frozen vegetables and Gregg's.
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Live animal exporters disappointed about U-turn
11 Mar 2026Exporters of live animals by sea are feeling "not flash" about the government's announcement it will not resume the trade this term.
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Farmers fear double whammy of rising fuel and fertiliser costs
The conflict in the Middle East has pushed up the price of oil and the spot price of urea has jumped since the war began. Audio
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Homes needed for 150 Kaimanawa wild horses as muster goes ahead
10 Mar 2026Department of Conservation backed down from plans not to fund it a muster this year, which could have led to a cull.
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West Coasters can now search all the hazard maps in one place
11 Mar 2026The portal could be instrumental for West Coast farmers, who will now be able to identify flooding risks, the council's chief executive said.
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National would only support 'gold standard' live animal exports, Todd McClay says
The Agriculture Minister has confirmed National has withdrawn its support for resuming live animal exports by sea. Audio
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What do rural sector groups think of the RMA?
Access to water, food production as a priority, and land use classifications are some of the issues primary sector groups are considering with the government's proposed new resource management…
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Work on to get beef destined for Middle East back to NZ
10 Mar 2026Premium beef cuts with a shelf life of 120 days that were on the way to Dubai have been parked by shipping companies in various ports.
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Farmer fined $35k for failing to register hundreds of cattle
9 Mar 2026Trevor Ronald Bolton failed to register 269 animals and failed to declare 571 animals that were moved off-farm.
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Aussie farmer who swam his way out of depression
After decades of self-medicating with beer, Brendan Cullen is now an open-water swimmer and a "sounding board" for rural people who are struggling.
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