RNZ

Country Life

Society EN ↓ 300 episodes

The Country Life team take you all over the motu to hear the extraordinary stories of every day rural New Zealand.

Author

RNZ

Category

Society

Podcast website

www.rnz.co.nz

Latest episode

Jul 10, 2026

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Episodes

Galvbike: E-bike makers riding agritech wave at Fieldays 12.06.2026

Anthony Clyde, considered the godfather of e-bikes in New Zealand, has created a new electric farmbike that's proving a hit at Fieldays, the Galvbike. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . You can learn more about Galvbike, here . With thanks to: Anthony Clyde Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Rural News Wrap for 12 June 2026 12.06.2026

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

Country Life's Garden Diaries: From lawn to leafy greens 05.06.2026

Follow along over the next few months as Gianina Schwanecke turns her backyard into a food garden in the name of resiliency. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here . With thanks to: Hannah Zwartz 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 abou...

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 5 June 2026 05.06.2026

Country Life digs into the art of growing your own food and dips into the archives to to visit one of the country's longest running alternative communities. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

From the Archives: A visit to Rainbow Valley 05.06.2026

Rainbow Valley in Golden Bay is one of New Zealand's longest running alternative communities. Country Life paid the community a visit last year as it turned 50 years old. You can find photos and read more about this story here . With thanks to: The Rainbow Valley community Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

From the Philippines to Southland 05.06.2026

Guillermo and Christina Tolentino share the joys and challenges of migrating to rural New Zealand. With thanks to: Guillermo Tolentino Christina Tolentino 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 s...

Rural News Wrap for 5 June 2026 05.06.2026

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

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 29 May 2026 29.05.2026

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...

Oysters every way 29.05.2026

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...

Teaching trust to the Kaimanawas 29.05.2026

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...

Northland pests no match for backyard trap-maker 29.05.2026

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...

On the Farm for 29 May 2026 29.05.2026

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...

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 22 May 2026 22.05.2026

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:...

A little bit country, a little bit Middle Earth 22.05.2026

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...

Hoofin' it in Central Otago: Walking a mile in a farrier's shoes 22.05.2026

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

Rural News Wrap for 22 May 2026 22.05.2026

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

Milking it: Which milk is best? 22.05.2026

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...

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 15 May 2026 15.05.2026

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...

Spawning day on a salmon farm 15.05.2026

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

Northland's storms test award-winning farm with "million-dollar" herd 15.05.2026

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...

Farming takes a village 15.05.2026

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

Rural News Wrap for 15 May 2026 15.05.2026

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 8 May 2026 08.05.2026

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...

Hunting out the next generation of hunters at the Pureora Hunting Competition 08.05.2026

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...

On-farm conservation 08.05.2026

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

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