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Rural Southland communities band together after destructive storm
The severe winds caused widespread damage and thousands of power outages, downing trees, power lines and tearing roofs off buildings.
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Farmlands profit shows increased confidence in rural sector
11:22 am todayIncreased farmer confidence and spending has seen the country's largest rural supply store, Farmlands, back in black.
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Being 'the keeper of the community's stories'
1 Nov 2025Eketāhuna Museum is a treasure chest of curiosities which shines a light on the small town's Scandinavian heritage and the challenges of running a country…
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Breeding the 'wagyu of lamb' for an ever-changing environment
1 Nov 2025Alastair Reeves has followed in his father's footsteps, using genetics to help farmers solve problems on farm by breeding sheep that make for good eating, are…
Country headlines with summaries.
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It's a 'numbers game': Company's quest to breed low methane-emitting bulls
1 Nov 2025The team of scientists at LIC, the Livestock Improvement Corporation, hope to know by late next year if they can offer farmers more methane-friendly bulls.
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Fonterra CEO says Lactalis deal will allow it to grow
31 Oct 2025The head of Fonterra says it has been difficult for its brands to compete in global markets. Audio
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'Where's the help?': Farmers count the cost of devastating storm
30 Oct 2025One week since a wind storm tore through the country's south, some Clutha district farmers say the financial hit could be harsher than they originally feared.
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Most virtual farm fences re-connected after storms affect 70 sites - Halter
30 Oct 2025By Labour weekend, there were 70 South Island farms affected by disruptions to the virtual, fence-less systems for livestock, mostly in Canterbury, Southland and Otago.
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Farmers vote on the Fonterra brand sale today - what you need to know
Shareholders are set to vote on whether to sell the company's consumer arm, which includes well-known brands like Mainland and Anchor, to a French company.
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What will farmers spend their $200,000 each on?
Around 60 percent of shareholding farms could receive a windfall, if a Fonterra sale to a French dairy giant goes ahead.
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Irrigation equipment smashed by winds - 'A huge concern coming into the summer period'
More than 700 pivot spans - worth $30,000 each - have been damaged in North Canterbury.
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Rural nurses target measles vaccination 'hesitancy'
29 Oct 2025Measles is so infectious, it requires an immunity rate of at least 95 percent in the community to prevent spread.
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First responders worry about 'chainsaw cowboys' in aftermath
28 Oct 2025A local farmer believes it's a miracle no one was hurt, but he worries about injuries in the clean-up. Audio
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Southland farmers exhausted as recovery from storm grinds on
27 Oct 2025Rural Support Trust says fatigue is setting in for storm-hit farmers still relying on generators, as efforts shift from animal welfare to human well-being.
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Fonterra sale could inject $4.5b into economy
24 Oct 2025The dairy giant is hoping to sell its Anchor and Mainland brands to a French company, though the deal is far from set in stone. Audio
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Clydesdales: 'He's not really a horse, he's a person'
27 Oct 2025Billy is quite the character and Cate Smith describes him as her mother's one true love.
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Battling off-roaders and pests at Thornton Lagoon
25 Oct 2025Ben Banks is trying to protect the fragile dunes, wildlife and vegetation at a coastal lagoon near Whakatāne trapping for pests but there's another threat to the area - the four-wheeled kind.
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'You're never very far away from rural life in New Zealand'
25 Oct 2025Husband and wife duo Te Radar and Ruth Spencer have recently partnered together on a new book 'Kiwi Country: Rural New Zealand in 100 Objects'.
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Bikes, art and walking shoes all welcome on new Canterbury trail
25 Oct 2025Volunteers are nearing completion of the first leg of a new trail for walkers, runners and cyclists in South Canterbury.
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This calf club for 'townies' has been running for four decades
24 Oct 2025At the club, the children learn about every aspect of their animal's life. Audio
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'Chainsaws running red hot': Falling trees kill sheep, cut power
24 Oct 2025Despite the damage and livestock deaths, most farmers will just roll up their sleeves and do what needs to be done, a farming boss says.
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Farmers keep milking despite ferocious wind storm
23 Oct 2025They are coping with power outages, road closures and damaging winds - with all eyes on rising rivers.
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Lawyers fail in bid for weedkiller reassessment
23 Oct 2025However, they remain concerned about the risks posed by glyphosate-based products, the most commonly used herbicide in Aotearoa.
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Time to consider controversial changes to pig welfare rules cut
22 Oct 2025Farrowing crates -which were used to prevent a sow crushing her piglets, but are so small a sow cannot turn around -were due to be banned at the end of this year under changes brought in by the…
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Ikea owner buys up Northland forestry
21 Oct 2025Ingka Investments, the parent company of furniture giant Ikea, has bought 10,000 hectares of production forestry in Northland.
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Alliance farmers vote yes on $270m deal with Irish meat company
21 Oct 2025Under the agreement, Dawn Meats will acquire a 65 percent stake in Alliance Group.
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Ex-All Black legend's farm tipped to stay in beef production
A rural land agent has allayed fears a significant Hawke's Bay farm will be planted in pine trees.
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Minister, mayor want answers after massive flooding in Waitomo
22 Oct 2025The mayor says the district was hit by "severe storms" and a red warning should have been issued. Audio
Top News stories
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