Country Life

Country Life meets a New Zealander looking after rescue bears in rural Germany and visits an orchid farm in Taranaki. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . In this episode: 0:58 - Rural News Wrap 8:25 - The Kiwi among bears in Bavaria 16:32 - From the Archives: Striding out on Te Aratipi Station 35:25 - An Eye for an Orchid With thanks to: John...

Eric Lander has grown cymbidium orchids for nearly half a century. His blooms can be found in vases from Dubai to New York, carefully bred and nurtured from large greenhouses on an old sheep and dairy farm in the lee of Mt Taranaki. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: Eric Lander, Wendy Holt, and Chris Garrett Make sure you’re...

Set on the coast of Hawke's Bay, Te Aratipi Station offers walkers on the farm views across the bay, from the Māhia Peninsula right around to Mt Ruapehu on a clear day. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . For the original story, look here . You can find more about Te Aratipi Station, and their new venture The Bush Table, here . With thanks to:...

John Pickard chats to Country Life from the German countryside where the New Zealander has an unusual job helping rescued bears learn to hibernate and regain some of their freedom. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: John Pickard Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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

This week Country Life gets some tips for the coming season from drought-hardened farmers, meets a flower grower turning blooms into bouquets and balms and heads to the Clash of the Colleges where students compete in ag events. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . In this episode: 1:09 - Rural News Wrap 9:33 - The Potion Room: 'Therapeutic...

As farmers prepare for the impacts of the intense El Niño weather pattern, drought veterans, younger farmers and rural support specialists compare plans, share hard-earned lessons and discuss when to act before dry conditions arrive. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: Willie Falloon, Hannah French, John Booth, and Robert Hicks...

Motorbikes, fencing and gumboot throwing - the Canterbury Clash of the Colleges has it all. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: Daniel O'Regan, Tess Bamford, Maddi Ballinger, Evan McSherry, and Chris Adams Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A Nūhaka teacher turns flowers and plants grown in her garden into budget bouquets, balms and healing treatments in her at home Potion Room. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: Kelly Doyle, The Potion Room Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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

This week Country Life is at a rural school in Wairarapa celebrating its sesquicentennial and visits a Taranaki piggery to hear how one farming family is adapting to major changes in New Zealand's pork industry. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . In this episode: 0:47 - On the Farm 7:58 - Good greens, small sprouts 14:33 - Room to oink 28:40...

While pastoral farming saw the settlement of Tinui established over 150 years ago, things have changed as farmland's been converted to forestry and the school's roll has decreased. Earlier this month past pupils gathered to reflect on the school's sesquicentennial and its future. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . Learn more about Tinui Schoo...

A Taranaki pig farmer is spending $2 million creating more space for pigs as welfare expectations change. Country Life visits Stanley Bros near Ōpunake to see what's involved. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: Karl Stanley Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Southern Alps Sprouts owner Karen McGrath shares her business' journey. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: Karen McGrath, Southern Alps Sprouts 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 looks back over the Ron Vine Collection of farming photos from the 1930s and 40s, gains insights into a King Country Māori-owned farm, and learns about on-farm biodiversity efforts in Banks Peninsula. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . In this episode: 0:59 - Rural News Wrap 7:29 - The farm photographer who captured a changing Ne...

Anisha joins the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust for a day to learn about on-farm native restoration. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: Maree Burnett, Tim Coop, James Wright, Josh Foster, Sarah Anderson and Ian Luxford Make sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday...

At Pukepoto it's about using data to 'grow more grass, make more money' and set the farm up for future generations. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: Weo Maag, Aloma Shearer, Terry Head, and Darren McNae, Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A collection of more than 1,400 photographs taken by pioneering agricultural journalist Ron Vine between 1934 and 1947 has been recognised for its unique record of New Zealand farming, land development and Māori communities during a period of profound change. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: Malcom Duffy Walsh Memorial Libra...

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

This week Country Life is in Ōtaki finding out about the town's plans to become carbon neutral, and looks at the art of making tallow and the different qualities of raw milk. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . In this episode: 0:48 - Turing tallow into skincare 8:43 - Rural News Wrap 15:55 - A 24/7 milk machine: The Good Cow 28:38 - The small...

Can a small town plant its way towards carbon neutrality? In Ōtaki, landowners, school children, volunteers and community groups are creating a ring of native forest around the town. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . You can find more about the Ōtaki Carbon Forest Project, here . With thanks to: Di Buchan, Cam Butler, Drew Mackenzie, Rhian S...

Anisha visits The Good Cow's milk vending station in North Canterbury. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: Tammy Acton-Adams Interested in vending machine milk? Listen to Sally’s story on a stall near Wellington, here . Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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

Zoë Vaughan shares how Earth Glow converts butchery waste into balms and creams. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: Zoë Vaughan Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details