Rural
Jump in productive land being used for urban development
Fruit and vegetable prices could rise by 58 percent because of of a drop in productive land, Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ research suggests.
Farmers have 'fingers crossed' for rain after driest summer on record
Rain forecast for Thursday cannot come soon enough for drought-stricken South Island farmers.
Imam dairy farmer fined $200,000 over migrant exploitation
One of the workers raised the alarm with MBIE.
NZ Post to end rural parcel and newspaper deliveries on weekends
NZ Post chief operating officer Brendon Main said Saturday services to rural areas were not commercially viable.
From techie to market gardener - 'Getting made redundant really pushed me'
Morgan Kane moved back home when she lost her job at a tech start up. It was the start of her move, with her husband, into market gardening. She and her parents welcome the advantages of… Audio
Sheds and cupboards cleaned out for Banks Peninsula fundraiser
Every year on Easter Saturday, unwanted bric-a-brac goes under the hammer at a huge Paddy's Market and White Elephant in Akaroa. It's run by the Akaroa and Bays Lions Club, which raises thousands of… Audio
Brothers turn rivals as they compete for top farmer title
Brothers Callum and Archie Woodhouse have been named the top two finalists in this year's East Coast Young Farmer of the Year competition. We catch up with the siblings as they prepare for the next… Audio
On the Farm - a wrap of conditions around the country
Rain is still needed in many parts of the country. Hay and baleage is being trucked around to ensure stock get the feed they need. The grape harvest is well through in Central Otago with good yields… Audio
Country Life for Friday 5 April 2024
This week Country Life meets a young woman who lost her job in the tech industry and turned things around by getting her hands in the soil and starting up a market garden. The team also heads to Banks… Audio
Sheep race set to be a traffic-stopper in Te Kuiti
The popular Running of the Sheep is returning to Te Kuiti's main street on Saturday.
Movies return to Raetihi's beloved Royal Theatre
As well as being a boon for the small Ruapehu District town, it's also one for the history buffs, as it is thought the Royal is the oldest provincial cinema in New Zealand still in existence. Audio
Instadate: A speed dating service for Cantabrians 'over the apps'
After three disappointing years on dating apps, Canterbury woman Beaulieu Matthews founded the speed dating service Instadate last year. Now she hosts speed dating events and tells funny anecdotes… Audio
Midday Rural News for 4 April 2024
A leading sheep farming is giving up selling through wool auctions.
Monique Steele has the rural news. Audio
Piggery effluent lands Canterbury farm $29,000 fine
A mid-Canterbury farm has been fined for discharging piggery effluent.
Govt urged to sell farming body Pāmu into private ownership
An agribusiness accountant says selling Pāmu could boost government finances by $2 billion.
New Zealand at 'electrifcation tipping point'
New Zealand is at the 'electrification tipping point', according to a new report from non-profit Rewiring Aotearoa. Rewiring Aotearoa's aims to boost knowledge of electronificaiton. CEO Mike Casey… Audio
Synlait investors crossing fingers before first-half results released
Investors will be looking for a resolution to Synlait's debt situation when it releases its first-half result Tuesday morning.
Wild horse lovers hustle to find homes for herd
After last year's muster was cancelled, nearly half the herd is looking for homes - and they are running out of time.