Country Life

Country Life hops in the cab of a stock truck moving cattle, joins a crew planting a food forest in Canterbury and takes a tour of the country's largest wool scouring factory. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . In this episode: 1:06 - Rural News Wrap 8:15 - Fleece flies again at Napier's WoolWorks 16:10 - Future-focussed food forests 32:...

Gianina takes a drive through remote parts of Hawke's Bay with Stephenson Transport, a multi-generation family run business still going strong. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: John Robson, Bruce Stephenson, Todd Stephenson, and Kim McRae Make sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new epis...

A supermarket in forest form - Anisha joins researchers at Lincoln University to see how fruits, veggies and medicinal plants can coexist in a food forest. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: Chrystal O'Connor, Jorie Knook, Hiraina Tangiora, and Harry Baitz Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

After devastating cyclone damage, WoolWorks' Napier plant is humming again, transforming fleece from hill country shearing sheds into the clean, dry, pressed, product ready for carpet makers and other manufacturers. Country Life takes a tour. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: Rosstan Mazey and Tony Cunningham Go to this episo...

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

Country Life checks in with the Electoral Commission about rural voting enrolments and turnout, gets stuck into a spring tidy of Gianina's garden, and visits pubs around the lower South Island to learn what makes a publican. Country Life checks in with the Electoral Commission about rural voting enrolments and turnout, gets stuck into a spring tidy of Gianina's garden, and visits pubs around the l...

How are pubs across the central South Island faring in 2026 - and what do their futures look like? You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: Keith Fenwick, Donna Hall, Jim McDougall, Pravesh and Monika Kumar Make sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening. Want to chat...

The warmer weather means it's time to turn my attention back to the garden, bringing in the crops ready for harvest and preparing my seedlings for the coming season too. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . You can find our first diary entry and details of the garden set up, here . With thanks to: Hannah Zwartz Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz f...

Electoral Commision chief executive Karl Le Quesne chats about rural voters, and how they can turn out to the polls in October. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: Karl Le Quesne 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

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