Rural

On a good spring weekend, Maria and Robert Lupton can find themselves in high demand. They are farmers in Waikato. But alongside their stock, they are breeders of leeches. Thousands of them. All… Audio

The speed and scale of the government's farming reforms and regulations are being blamed for a dramatic fall in farmer confidence.

Susan Murray has nga kōrero e pa ana ki te taiwhenua. Audio

There's renewed hope a Southland town could be free of more than 10,000 tonnes of potentially toxic waste by Christmas.

Court action taken by the Environmental Defence Society against the Tiwai Point… Audio

There's renewed hope Mataura may finally be freed of the burden of 10,000 tonnes of potentially toxic waste.

Court action taken by the Environmental Defence Society against the Tiwai Point aluminium… Audio

News from the rural and farming sector. Audio

Political parties outline their plans for rural health.

Susan Murray has nga korero e pa ana ki te taiwhenua. Audio

Roads closed, power out, and animals freezing.

Some farmers in the South Island are describing the dumping on snow in spring as the worst they've seen in a decade.

How do the weather scientists rate… Audio

Rain, snow and powerful winds continued to cause problems for some farmers in the far south overnight.

John Gardyne farms at Waikaka, north of Gore, Southland and Nigel Woodhead is a sheep and beef… Audio

Snow or sleety showers and strong southwesterlies have continued to cause problems for some farmers in the south ovenight.

The weather is now expected to improve, but the full extent of stock losses… Audio

News from the rural and farming sector. Audio

Southland farmers are out trying to assess stock losses.

Susan Murray has te pūrongo taiwhenua. Audio

News from the rural and farming sector. Audio

Strong wind warnings have been issued for the entire South Island, and the south of the North Island this morning and Lewis Pass and the Milford Road are both closed due to the snow.

Susan Murray has… Audio

News from the rural and farming sector. Audio

Dana Thompson and her family are living off the land in South Otago and helping others who want to do the same. She shares what she has learned in a weekly blog and a vlog. She's also penned several… Video, Audio

Construction of a new 'centre of excellence' for horticulture is expected to begin in Katikati early next year. The education hub will be based at Katikati College and will bring together training… Audio

Plant and Food Research would like to empower the development of a much larger bumblebee industry in New Zealand. It has developed the technology to successfully breed bumblebees, now it wants… Audio