RNZ: Country Life

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 trappers. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:45 - The Masjid that's made a home in Mataura5:26 - Rural News Wrap10:06 - The future role of meat and dairy in feeding humans18:22 - Meaty, eco-friendly, good-looking but not so woolly - the making of NZ's future flock30:53 - A trap down the river: Pest control along Mid Canterbury's waterwaysWith thanks to:Haji Zamberi MatyunusDonald MooreKapiro FarmAlastair Stewart and Ray CossarKen BodyThe Rickard familyMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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 the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Alastair StewartRay CossarKen BodyThe Rickard familyGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Climate change, increasing costs, fussier consumers and changing rules have researchers and breeders working hard to develop a sheep that will not only be economic to farm but good for the planet. Country Life visits Kapiro Farm in Northland which is five years into a seven-year project to design the sheep of the future.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Ian Leaf, PāmuGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Chicago-based Global Dairy Platform's executive director Donald Moore on the importance of addressing emissions reductions with a 'global mass' approach. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Donald MooreGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A round-up of the week's rural news.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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 about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Haji Zamberi MatyunusGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

After her time at the Shepherdess muster, Country Life presenter Gianina Schwanecke shares the latest podcast from RNZ made in collaboration with the team at Shepherdess magazine, Far From Town. Host Arpége Taratoa-Rangikura meets women at the end of gravel roads and up remote valleys across Aotearoa. Over cups of tea, they talk about love, loss and connection to whenua.Jenny Sandford's life is a whirlwind. From a beauty school dropout to wild times in Canada, from being a cop to now being a mum of four and a sheep and beef farmer in Tairāwhiti. From the immense grief of miscarriage when they lost their firstborn daughter, Nina, to finding joy in line dancing in her wool shed. Jenny takes on whatever comes her way and somehow finds a silver lining.To see more images from the series, visit the RNZ website here: rnz.co.nz/farfromtownGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week Country Life is helping with the grape harvest, taking you line-dancing and meeting rural women at the Shepherdess Muster.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:37 - Dairy payouts and Kiwisaver changes with Steve Hayidakis5:50 - Rural News Wrap9:40 - Pick and be merry - harvest time at Big Sky Wines17:42 - Let's go line dancing30:00 - Making memories at the Shepherdess MusterWith thanks to:Steve HayidakisJeremy Corban and Katherine Jacobs, Big Sky VineyardNigel Mooney, Linedance ChristchurchKristy McGregor, ShepherdessMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A weekend retreat filled with crafts, relaxation, learning, fun and connection in the remote rural community of Tokanui in Southland.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.And you can hear more from Julie Keast and the Far From Town women, here.With thanks to:Kristy McGregor, ShepherdessAnd Allesha Ballard-Conway, Louise Patterson, Sophie Green, Dr Helen Paterson from the Women's Health Bus, Johnny Mauchline from Flying Trestles, Tokanui local Sheila Smith from the Small Prophet Design ShedMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Want to chat to us or find out more about RNZ Podcasts? Join the RNZ Podcasts Discussion Facebook group where we share behind the scenes info about our series, and invite you to share feedback, recommendations and ask us questions.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The rurally-rooted dance style has had a resurgence across New Zealand. Country Life attends a class to learn why. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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 bring in the first grapes of the season. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A round-up of the week's rural news.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

ANZ's general manager for business and agri discusses how the Fonterra consumer brands sale will impact rural towns and supermarket shelves.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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 Phelps, who's fighting Australia's bushfires, and Gary Lancaster of the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:1:05 - Weird, wacky wild food8:51 - Conditions Wrap16:48 - Permaculture power in Poukawa30:45 - Young kiwi pilot helps map and fight Victoria's devastating bushfires37:47 - A walk through Aotearoa's farming festivalGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Underground Festival brings rural folk from across the motu together to learn about regenerative agriculture, and share kai from the land. Anisha Satya toured around the event. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.You can learn more about the Underground Festival, here.With thanks to:Fran BaileyGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Duff family's focus is working with nature when it comes to their permaculture farm and organic nursery, Kahikatea Farm. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.You can find more information about Kahikatea Farm, here.With thanks to:Jo DuffGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Kiwi pilot Henry Phelps has gone from wilderness flying to helping combat Australia's bushfires, flying planes with special technology which provide photos to assist in the tracking and fighting of fires on the ground. He's not the only Phelps in the air over the fires. Sometimes his brother is flying over the same area in a helicopter, also on a similar mission. Henry chats to Country Life about his job and working alongside his brother as fires rage below.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

From wild deer to huhu grubs - the Wildfoods Festival in Hokitika celebrates all foods foraged and feral. Anisha Satya talks to vender coordinator Cary Lancaster. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A wrap of conditions on farms and orchards around the country.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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 Duntroon. Sir Charles Godfray is the show's guest talking about how food systems will have to change in the face of global warming. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

For a town of only 100 people, Duntroon has more than its share of attractions, with a blacksmiths, a master saddler, the intriguing Vanished World Heritage Centre with its fossils, and a Heritage Trail. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Blade shearers from around the world have been sharpening their tools and their eye before the Golden Shears in Masterton under the tutelage of Allan Oldfield, a world champion blade shearer, at a woolshed in Tinui.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Sir Charles Godfray has told the Riddet Institute's Agrifood Summit our food systems will have to change in order to limit the impacts of global warming. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A round-up of the week's rural news Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:41 - A festival for farmers7:50 - Rural News Wrap14:50 - Moonshine matriarch: Southland's tradition of distilling Scottish whisky28:13 - Turning brewery gunk and forest junk into something good for the soilWith thanks to:Fran Bailey, Underground FestivalJim Geddes, Hokonui Moonshine Museum and DistilleryMatthew Welton and Tania PaioMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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 End and after careers as a prison officer and cartographer, he has come full circle, this time turning the organic waste he collects into biochar for farmers and growers on his Akatarawa property. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A look inside the Hokonui Moonshine Museum where the manufacture of this legendary spirit continues in the modern day.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.You can learn more about the Hokonui Moonshine Museum and Distillery, here.With thanks to:Jim GeddesGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A round up of news from RNZ's rural news teamYou can find more from RNZ's rural news team, here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Underground Festival organiser Fran Bailey chats with Anisha Satya about the idea, the execution, and what makes it different from other farming forums. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Fran Bailey, Underground FestivalGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Too many grapes, international headwinds and a dramatic drop in drinkers is proving problematic for our wine producers.Perfect growing conditions for grapes at a time when demand for wine is dropping is likely to result in more fruit left on the vine again this harvestFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Country Life gets the latest on the beef market and cherry harvest, learns how pairing solar and horticulture could help with growing and joins one of Pāmu's young apprentices on a King Country farm. Follow Country Life on your favourite podcast platform or listen on the RNZ website. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:00 - A yarn on the farm with beef farmer Craig Pickens0:00 - Rural News Wrap0:00 - New study into growing crops under solar panels0:00 - Growing a farmer - Archie's life as a Pāmu apprentice0:00 - Central Otago a fruitgrower's cherry pickWith thanks to:Craig PickensPieter-Willem HendriksArchie Davidson and Alan MacDonaldKris Robb and Mike Mangau, Clyde OrchardsMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.You can learn more about Clyde Orchards, here.With thanks to:Kris Robb and Mike MangauMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Want to chat to us or find out more about RNZ Podcasts? Join the RNZ Podcasts Discussion Facebook group where we share behind the scenes info about our series, and invite you to share feedback, recommendations and ask us questions.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Archie's 17 and an apprentice to Micky, champion shearer and Pāmu farm manager on King Country sheep and beef farm Te Wharua. We head out mustering and Archie shows how he's working with his whistle and his dogs. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Archie Davidson and Alan MacDonaldGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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 research team at Lincoln University spoke to Sally Round. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Pieter-Willem HendriksGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A wrap of the week's news from the primary sector.You can find more from RNZ's rural news team, here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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 gone through some changes, lately the move to finishing beef cattle.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Craig PickensGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week the Country Life team takes you riverside to find out about an unusual ferry which has been running for 130 years, they delve into the science of insect vibrations which may be a way of protecting crops, and getting a taste of Americana at Burkes Pass. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.Make sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Producer Mark Leishman goes on a personal journey to Burkes Pass, a place with deep family ties. A fire in the 1990s destroyed most of the Burkes Pass Hotel run by his grandparents and has been replaced by a replica 1950s Americana village complete with its own "Pin Up Queen". You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Researchers from the Bioeconomy Science Institute are investigating whether they can apply the vibrations of insects to disrupt pests in the greenhouse. Our Changing World's Claire Concannon heads along to the tomato growing greenhouse where they're trialling the use of biotremology. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The southern hemisphere's only still operational river ferry celebrates 130 years.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.You can find more about the punt, here.With thanks to:Tom JonesGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A wrap of the week's news from the primary sector.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Country Life is back for 2026 with a classic tale of the bush, bullocks and camp ovens at an old woolshed in King Country. The team check in on a forest growing wood into products for Ikea and find out how farmers can make the most of the demand from international tourists for a taste of life on the farm. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:44 - On The Farm8:25 - Growing demand for on-farm fun from international tourists18:09 - Ikea owner's first New Zealand forest: 'Timber production first and foremost'31:00 - Camp ovens, bullockies and other tales from the bushWith thanks to:Marijke Dunselman, Agritourism NZJosh Cairns, Southern ForestsLew, Julie and Craig Pickens, and Julie TannneauMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details