Farming
Scheme helping teens enter the farming industry
From being chased by bulls to killing sheep and ensuring the budget is balanced, there's no end of things to learn from life on a farm. Now, 19 teenagers are being put through their paces in a new… Audio
Moonshine matriarch: Southland's tradition of distilling Scottish whisky
A look inside the Hokonui Moonshine Museum where the manufacture of this legendary spirit continues in the modern day.
Biochar made with hops, slash, and number 8 wire magic
Waste hops from a Wellington brewery, cotton offcuts from a New Zealand clothing brand and forestry slash are being turned into so-called "black gold" at a kiln in the heart of the Akatarawa Valley.
How UK farmers inspired New Zealand's agricultural festival
The Underground Festival in Waipara, held this week, brought farming families together to share information, a feed, and time off the farm together.
Turning brewery gunk and forest junk into something good
Hops from a Wellington brewery, cotton offcuts from a fashion label and forestry slash has turned Matt Welton into a bit of a Heath Robinson. His first job was collecting scrap metal in London's East… Audio
Moonshine matriarch
A look inside the Hokonui Moonshine Museum where the manufacture of this legendary spirit continues in the modern day. Audio
A festival for farmers
Underground Festival organiser Fran Bailey chats with Anisha Satya about what goes into a festival for farmers, and what inspired the event. Audio
Country Life Friday 20 February 2026
Country Life heads to Waipara for the Underground Festival, looks at the tradition of whiskey making in Southland and meets a biochar-maker north of Wellington. Audio
Midday rural news for 20 February 2026
An update on the latest news from RNZ's rural team. Audio
Fences taken out, crop destroyed as floods hammer farmers
Farms along the banks of the Waipā River are most affected, an Ōtorohanga farmer says.
Archie the apprentice finds his farming feet
Archie, Micky and their dogs make up a good team on Te Wharua Station. The 17-year-old is apprenticed to the farm manager and champion shearer as part of Pāmu's year-old cadet scheme. Country Life …
Ruby jewels of Otago a Lunar New Year treat
A look at how Clyde Orchard's recent cherry and stonefruit harvest has gone and a tour of a new purpose built accommodation for its RSE workers.
Central Otago fruitgrower's cherry pick
A look at how Clyde Orchard's recent cherry and stonefruit harvest has gone and a tour of a new purpose built accommodation for its RSE workers. Audio
Growing a farmer - Archie's life as a Pamu apprentice
Archie and Mickey are a team. Archie's 17 and an apprentice to Mickey, champion shearer and Pamu farm manager on King Country sheep and beef farm Te Wharua. We head out mustering and Archie shows how… Audio
New study into growing crops under solar panels
Growing crops alongside solar farming is a new field for New Zealand, so researchers here have been analysing studies of these sorts of systems around the world. Dr Pieter-Willem Hendriks from the… Audio
Rural News Wrap
A look at what's been making headlines on the rural news desk this week. Audio
A yarn on the farm with beef farmer Craig Pickens
A little bit of luck as well as good management is behind our guest's entry into the roaring beef market. Craig Pickens has been farming in King Country since 2005 and his present farm, Waimiha, has… Audio
