CountryWide CONNECT

This episode features Kate Taylor, Central Hawke’s Bay district councillor and rural journalist discussing local government reform, council restructuring and whether regional councils in their current form have a future. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / listen. See o...

This episode features Libby Price, Australian Rural Correspondent discussing the Australian Budget and what it means for farmers, inflation, trade and the wider rural economy. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode features Robbie Ferris, Pasture Summit Chairperson and Director, GM of Piriaka Farms discussing this week’s Waikato Pasture Summit, discussing pasture profitability, progression pathways and practical farm performance. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / li...

This episode features Steve Chappell, Programme Manager, New Zealand National Fieldays Society discussing the 2026 Fieldays Innovation Awards, where AI, automation and practical farm technology dominate this year’s innovation trends. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch /...

This episode features Tim Gorton & Craig Hickman discussing imported American butter, local government reform, agtech overload and the increasingly strategic issue of BBQ smoking charcoal. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

This episode features Lauren McConnachie, NZDIA Farm Manager of The Year Winner discussing leadership, sustainability and managing one of New Zealand’s larger dairy operations. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...

This episode features Jo Luxton, Labour Spokesperson for Agriculture, Biosecurity, Customs discussing Labour’s agricultural policy direction, rural priorities and local government reform. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

US lamb tariff investigation expected to target NZ and Australia Beef tariff changes could benefit Kiwi exporters Hawke's Bay growers eye takeover of McCain factory Rural News is in partnership with Farmlands as part of CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp - our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / listen.   US lam...

CountryWide Connect – Show Summary (Working backwards from 1pm to 11am) We finish at 12:48 with the North/South Farmer Panel featuring Tim Gorton and Craig Hickman debating imported American butter, local government reform, agtech overload and the increasingly strategic issue of BBQ smoking charcoal. At 12:33, Annabel Davies, Nature Investment Officer at Pāmu, discusses the state farming org...

This episode features Tony Trewinnard, Blue Skies Weather discussing the latest outlook for farmers around the country and what conditions are shaping up like across the regions. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode features Tony Dodunski, 2026 Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award Recipient discussing practical on-farm innovation, how technology is being used at farm level, and the role of Ag Assist in connecting rural services and support. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch /...

This episode features Murray Hart, Business Development Manager, Animal Health, Ecolab discussing calving season biosecurity, hygiene and milk quality, and the practical steps farmers can take to minimise disease pressure and improve outcomes this season. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on...

This episode features Dr Shaun Presow, Acting Manager of Hazardous Substances Applications, Environmental Protection Authority discussing the withdrawal of an appeal against the EPA’s glyphosate ruling, discussing what the High Court decision means for science-based regulation and chemical oversight in New Zealand. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily...

This episode features Edward Fitzgerald, Chair of the New Zealand Century Farms & Station Awards discussing this week’s New Zealand Century Farms & Station Awards in Lawrence, celebrating farming families who have remained on the same land for 100 years. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-...

This episode features Mark Patterson, Minister for Rural Communities discussing looming local government reform, council amalgamation pressure, and what structural change could mean for rural representation and local decision-making. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / listen...

Government moves to shield businesses from climate change lawsuits ASB backs wool industry revival with Wool Impact partnership Dawn Meats acquires German Alliance Group distribution partner Rural News is in partnership with Farmlands as part of CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp - our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to wat...

This episode features Robyn Haugh, Chief Executive, True Nature discussing the new partnership with Pāmu exploring native restoration projects, biodiversity credits and the emerging environmental investment market in New Zealand. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / listen. Se...

This episode features Cristina Alvarado, NZX, Head of Dairy Insights discussing the latest Global Dairy Trade event, dairy futures and what current market signals are telling farmers. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

This episode features Colin Hurst, Federated Farmers Vice President and Freshwater Spokesperson discussing biodiversity credits, environmental investment and whether farmers are finally beginning to get recognised for conservation work already happening on-farm. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.c...

Show Summary (Working backwards from 1pm to 11am) We finish at 12:48 with Tony Trewinnard from Blue Skies Weather bringing the latest outlook for farmers around the country and what conditions are shaping up like across the regions. At 12:33, Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award winner Tony Dodunski joins us to discuss practical on-farm innovation, how technology is being used at farm level, and th...

This episode features Geoff Ross, Carbonfields & Lake Hawea Station discussing the Government’s Nature and Carbon Markets announcement, the future of environmental markets and whether farmers can generate meaningful income from natural capital and carbon systems. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit cou...

This episode features Jo Hendy, Chief Executive, Climate Change Commission discussing the Commission’s latest climate risk assessment, why agriculture is identified as a major long-term climate risk, and what adaptation and resilience could realistically look like for the sector by 2050. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed fro...

This episode features Andrew Hoggard, Associate Minister for the Environment discussing the Government’s Nature and Carbon Markets announcement, balancing environmental outcomes with practical farming realities, and where the Coalition wants to take climate and land-use policy. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm...

This episode features Matt Watson, Host, ITM Fishing Show discussing the Fisheries Amendment Bill backlash, public concern around commercial fishing reform, and whether Shane Jones has politically misread mainstream New Zealanders on fisheries management. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on...

This episode features Scott & Stacey Mackereth, NZDIA Share Farmer of the Year 2026 discussing their journey through the industry, leadership, progression and what success looks like in modern dairying. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / listen. See omnystudio.com/listen...