Rural
'Back to the land': Commune still going strong after 50 years
Rainbow Valley is located on regenerating whenua at the end of a gravel road near Takaka. Several families share the land and help run a small farm for the benefit of the whole community. Audio
Rural News Wrap for 7 March 2025
A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector Audio
Grape picking starts soon at organic Waipara Valley vineyard
A pre-harvest update from the Greystone Wines, that recently hosted the inaugural Underground soil, food and farming festival, with viticulturalist and farming advisor, Nick Gill. Audio
Country Life Friday 7 March 2025
This week Country Life takes a look at the process of breeding new varieties of apples, gets an update on the grape harvest and visits a commune in Golden Bay. Audio
Grape picking starts soon at organic Waipara Valley vineyard
A pre-harvest update from Greystone Wines, host recently to the inaugural Underground soil, food and farming festival, with viticulturalist and farming advisor, Nick Gill.
Top axeman preparing for NZ Rural Games
King Country woodchopper Jack Jordan achieved the sport's first ever three-peat at last year's Timbersports World Trophy in Italy.
Sheep farmers suspended after animal welfare investigation
Two farmers have been temporarily suspended as part of a New Zealand Merino Company investigation into allegations around animal welfare at some of its supplier's farms.
Midday Rural News for 6 March 2025
Growers in Hawkes Bay are supporting a proposed new water storage facility. Audio
Drivers fume, asked to 'be patient', as new lights at busy intersection cause queues
A week in, motorists are still trying to get used to the new road layout, some taking to social media about the backed up traffic caused by the lights.
Moment of Calm: Country road with crickets
Take the sound of a summer night with you, no matter how cold it is outside. Audio
Midday Rural News for 5 March 2025
A Tauranga company is behind the newly launched Yamaha Agriculture. Audio
Farmer's edible bale netting gets overseas attention
Since Grant Lightfoot shared his story on Country Life last week, he's received dozens of calls and even more emails from farmers interested in his product.
Morning Rural News for 5 March 2025
People who tasted the Wallaby quesadillas at the recent Northland Field Days are still talking about the rich meaty snack one week on from the event. Audio
Pāmu reports half-year net profit of $62 million
Pāmu - formerly Landcorp - is the country's largest pastoral farmer, managing about 360,000 hectares across 112 farms.
Toa Henderson wins Golden Shears Open
The Northland shearer has become the first debut finalist to win the Golden Shears Open in 15 years.
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
