Country Life
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Country Life
The Country Life team take you all over the motu to hear the extraordinary stories of every day rural New Zealand.
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FULL SHOW: Country Life for 17 April 2026
This week on Country Life Gianina meets a worm farmer in Hawke's Bay, while Sally drops in on a Kerikeri orchard growing dragon fruit and Anisha is wi...
Here be dragons, under cover in Northland
A trial of the striking and exotic dragon fruit is hitting its straps in Northland. Could the new sweet varieties grown under cover be a viable crop i...
Arable farmers chase greener pastures
Canterbury is an arable powerhouse, but in recent years, many have started moving into dairying. What's behind the change?
You can find photos a...
Wonder Worm
Trevor Hellyer made the move from one mud loving animal to another - changing from pig farming to worm farming just outside Havelock North.
Rural News Wrap for 17 April 2026
A wrap of news from RNZ's rural news desk
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
FULL SHOW: Country Life for 10 April 2026
Country Life visits New Zealand's only cranberry farm, finds out about the origins and passion for the trusty ute and meets Laura Watson of Monowai St...
Crunchy, crispy cranberries
Anisha Satya visits New Zealand's only cranberry farm - and samples the produce.
You can find photos and read more about the stories in this epi...
Mustering the trusty ute at Methven A&P Show
While Americans have their pick-ups, Kiwis and Aussies have the ute. Mark Leishman finds out about the ubiquitous farmers' and tradies' vehicle at the...
Laura Watson's 'pinch me' moment
Laura Watson is a the fourth generation of her family to run Monowai Station. She's not only helping restore wetlands and pockets of native bush on he...
Rural News Wrap for 10 April 2026
A round-up of the week's rural news.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
FULL SHOW: Country Life for 3 April 2026
This week Country Life meets some pioneer egg producers and a farmer growing and harvesting an ancient grain.
You can find photos and read more...
Poultry 'pioneers': Three generations of Bennik's behind an egg empire
From moving to cage-free farming in the 90's, becoming SPCA animal welfare accredited and launching a liquid egg processing plant - the Bennik family...
Four farmers, one forgotten grain and the pasta-maker bringing it to the plate
Amid a growing eat local movement, durum wheat is being grown and turned into pasta by an artisan food producer and a group of Wairarapa farmers.
Rural News Wrap for 3 April 202
A round-up of the week's rural news.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Answering the roar - hunting venison for people in need
For a few years now Lisa Daunton has been stocking food banks in Te Tai Rāwhiti with wild venison which she harvests with fellow hunters.
With...
FULL SHOW: Country Life for 27 March 2026
Country Life meets a family using bullock-power instead of diesel to grow their own food, and gets a taste of the tomatoes grown by some of Wellington...
Off-grid, thriving and feeding whānau without fossil fuels
Bullocks and horses power the Land's farm in the Hokianga where three generations live off-grid, growing practically all their own food without the ne...
Roots that run deep - Capri tomatoes
From Italy to Wellington's south coast, growing and eating great food is central to the Cuccurullo family maintaining its cultural heritage. For the p...
Standing up for migrant farmers
Anisha Satya chats with Kristine Asuncion, Filipina dairy farmer and advocate.
With thanks to:
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more de...
On the Farm for 27 March 2026
A wrap of conditions on farms and orchards around the country.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
FULL SHOW: Country Life for 20 March 2026
Country Life visits a mosque in remote Southland, the sheep of the future in Northland, and traverses Mid Canterbury's rivers and shorelines with pest...
A trap down the river: Pest control along Mid Canterbury's waterways
Farmers, tradies and 4x4 enthusiasts are doing their bit to protect Mid Canterbury's rivers and oceans.
You can find photos and read more about...
Meaty, eco-friendly, good-looking but not so woolly - the making of NZ's future flock
Climate change, increasing costs, fussier consumers and changing rules have researchers and breeders working hard to develop a sheep that will not onl...
The future role of meat and dairy in feeding humans
Chicago-based Global Dairy Platform's executive director Donald Moore on the importance of addressing emissions reductions with a 'global mass' approa...
Rural News Wrap for 20 March 2026
A round-up of the week's rural news.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
The Masjid that's made a home in Mataura
The Mataura Masjid provides a place of community for those from as far as Roxborough and Tapanui to Wyndham.
You can find photos and read more a...
What to Listen to Next: Far From Town
After her time at the Shepherdess muster, Country Life presenter Gianina Schwanecke shares the latest podcast from RNZ made in collaboration with the...
FULL SHOW: Country Life for 13 March 2026
This week Country Life is helping with the grape harvest, taking you line-dancing and meeting rural women at the Shepherdess Muster.
You can fin...
Making memories at the Shepherdess Muster
A weekend retreat filled with crafts, relaxation, learning, fun and connection in the remote rural community of Tokanui in Southland.
You can fi...
Let's go line dancing
The rurally-rooted dance style has had a resurgence across New Zealand. Country Life attends a class to learn why.
You can find photos an...
Pick and be merry - harvest time at Big Sky Wines
Harvest time at Big Sky Wines, established by Kath Jacobs and Jeremy Corban, begins or ends with friends and neighbours in the vineyard helping to bri...
Rural News Wrap for 13 March 2026
A round-up of the week's rural news.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Dairy payouts and Kiwisaver changes with Steve Hayidakis
ANZ's general manager for business and agri discusses how the Fonterra consumer brands sale will impact rural towns and supermarket shelves.
Go...
FULL SHOW: Country Life for 6 March 2026
Country Life visits the Duff family's permaculture farm in the Hawke's Bay, a farming festival in North Canterbury, chats to young Kiwi pilot Henry Ph...
A walk through Aotearoa's farming festival
The Underground Festival brings rural folk from across the motu together to learn about regenerative agriculture, and share kai from the land. Anisha...
Permaculture power in Poukawa
The Duff family's focus is working with nature when it comes to their permaculture farm and organic nursery, Kahikatea Farm.
You can find...
Young kiwi pilot helps map and fight Victoria's devastating bushfires
Kiwi pilot Henry Phelps has gone from wilderness flying to helping combat Australia's bushfires, flying planes with special technology which provide p...
Weird, wacky wildfood
From wild deer to huhu grubs - the Wildfoods Festival in Hokitika celebrates all foods foraged and feral. Anisha Satya talks to vender coordinator Car...
On the Farm for 6 March 2026
A wrap of conditions on farms and orchards around the country.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
FULL SHOW: Country Life for 27 February 2026
Country Life is with blade shearers from around the world in a woolshed in Tinui and immersed in the many attractions of the tiny community of Duntroo...