Country Life

This week Country Life is at a training centre for wild Kaimanawa horses, and checks out the oyster harvest in Bluff. 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. Want to chat to us or find out more about RNZ Podcasts? Join the RNZ Podcasts...

Anisha heads to Bluff to understand the state of the wild oyster fishery. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: Graeme Wright John Edminstin Max Russell Ann, Margaret and Betty Robertson Make 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...

Kelly Wilson trains Kaimanawa wild horses at the sanctuary she's built on just over 18 hectares, a few minutes out of Taupō. Jimmy Ellingham paid her a visit to see how she helps get them used to the human touch so they can be rehomed. You can find photos, video and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: Kelly Wilson, Morgan Chandler-Bruce and Bjarne Str...

Steve Allan's been trapping and making traps for nearly 50 years. His simple, strong kill traps made in his home factory in Northland have eradicated thousands of pests over the years and can be found as far away as the Falkland Islands. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: Steve Allan Make sure you’re following us on your favou...

A round up of conditions on farms and orchards around the country 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. Want to chat to us or find out more about RNZ Podcasts? Join the RNZ Podcasts Discussion Facebook group where we share behind the...

This week Country Life follows a farrier as he fits a horse with new shoes, compares different milks and their nutritional benefits, and visit's an actor's bit of country in Middle Earth. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . In this episode: 0:38 - Milking it: Which milk is best? 16:36 - Rural News Wrap 24:36 - Hoofin' it in Central Otago:...

William Kircher, known for his role as Bifur the dwarf in The Hobbit trilogy, has moved to the country. When not performing overseas, he and jazz singer Nicole Chesterman Kircher are enjoying the rural pace with sheep, chooks, fruit trees and an honesty box at the gate. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: William Kircher and Ni...

From working with 2000 degrees Celsius heat to moving a half tonne animal, being a farrier is no easy job, as Country Life found out. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . You can find more about Barton Blacksmithing Services, here . With thanks to: Bruce Barton, Twix and Rip 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 speaks to a Massey University professor who specialises in nutrition and food chemistry about different types of milk - their pros and cons. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: Louise Brough, Massey University And to hear more from the previous guests featured: Alex Irvine of Canterbury's Choice Cameron Ravenw...

Ever wondered how farmed salmon produce the next generation? Anisha tours Akaroa King Salmon's hatchery in Canterbury, and an award-winning Māori trust-owned farm in Te Tai Tokerau has had to battle fierce flooding this year. Sally is in the farm ute touring the damage. Also, Dairy Woman of the Year Hinehou Timutimu talks about how she is inspired to farm for the community. You can find photos and...

What does it take to make salmon babies that grow into big, tasty fish. Anisha Satya visits Akaroa King Salmon's hatchery in North Canterbury. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: Stewart Hawthron Hagen Kocksch Henry Wilson Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In just three years the Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust's beef farm in Northland was able to boast a "million-dollar herd" on its rehabilitated whenua, winning the prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy in 2025. But this year the farm has been hit by floods and mudslides from intense weather events. Sally Round paid a visit to see how the farm has coped. You can find photos and read more about the stories in thi...

Anisha Satya speaks to Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year winner, Hinehou Timutimu, about how community-focused farming makes an impact. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: Hinehou Timutimu Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A wrap of news from RNZ's rural news desk Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Sally meets the founder of skincare brand Nudi Point, Gianina's at the Pureore Hunting Competition, and Anisha's bug-hunting in the Ashburton Forks. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . In this episode: 0:39 - Rural News Wrap 5:56 - Skinny-dipping inspires back-to-nature rural venture 15:17 - On-farm conservation 30:20 - Hunting out the next ge...

The nearly 40-year-old competition, which runs during the peak hunting period known as the roar, is the only such of its kind run by the Department of Conservation. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . You can find more about the Pureora Hunting Competition, here . Check out last week's episode when Country Life headed out for a hunt with...

Anisha meets Ashburton Forks farmers who are trapping, planting and testing their way to healthier farms. With thanks to: Will Wright Mark McDonald Jenny McDonald Campbell Sommerville Sonja Vreugdenhil Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Northland skin care brand Nudi Point is named after the swimming hole where Blair Coates spent many happy summers. The former banker who suffered bad skin as a teen makes moisturisers and serums in the converted cow shed. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: Blair Coates 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

Anisha sits down with a country musician, Gianina joins a Waikato farmer on a deer hunt, and Sally visits the Carb Club, a shared food-growing initiative. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . In this episode: 0:42 - Conditions Wrap 9:19 - Country music chats 15:53 - We hunt at dawn 29:35 - The Carb Club With thanks to: Molly Harrison Allen Juno...

It takes a grower, a gatherer - of people - and a plot of land to create a "carb club". The idea is to make it easier for people to grow staple crops which might need more than your average-sized backyard vegetable garden. About 20 families have been pooling their labour to produce enough potatoes and pumpkins to see them through the year, and have a lot of fun besides. You can find photos and rea...

A chat about New Zealand's country music scene with Ashburton-based artist, Molly Harrison. With thanks to Molly Harrison Listen to her music, From the Hillside, on all streaming platforms. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Gianina Schwanecke heads for the hills of Waikato to learn more about the art of deer stalking during the roar. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: Allen and Sophie Juno Tune in next week to learn more about the Pureora Hunting Competition . 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