Country Life

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 22 May 2026

22 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 ac...

A little bit country, a little bit Middle Earth

22 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 sing...

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

22 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 phot...

Rural News Wrap for 22 May 2026

22 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Country Life speaks to a Massey University professor who specialises in nutrition and food chemistry about different types of milk - their pros and co...

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 15 May 2026

15 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wondered how farmed salmon produce the next generation? Anisha tours Akaroa King Salmon's hatchery in Canterbury, and an award-winning Māori tru...

Spawning day on a salmon farm

15 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

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

15 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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, win...

Farming takes a village

15 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Anisha Satya speaks to Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year winner, Hinehou Timutimu, about how community-focused farming makes an impact. You can find ph...

Rural News Wrap for 15 May 2026

15 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 8 May 2026

08 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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. Y...

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

08 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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...

On-farm conservation

08 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Anisha meets Ashburton Forks farmers who are trapping, planting and testing their way to healthier farms. With thanks to:Will WrightMark McDonaldJenny...

Skinny-dipping inspires back-to-nature rural venture

08 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Rural News Wrap for 8 May 2026

08 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 1 May 2026

01 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 initiat...

Pumpkins, potatoes and a plot of land: Welcome to the Carb Club

01 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

We hunt at dawn

01 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Country music talks with Molly Harrison

01 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A chat about New Zealand's country music scene with Ashburton-based artist, Molly Harrison.With thanks toMolly HarrisonListen to her music, From the H...

On the Farm for 1 May 2026

01 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A wrap of conditions on farms and orchards around the country. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 24 April 2026

24 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Gianina chats with Otago taxidermists and butchers during the roar; Sally visits Halcombe who are remembering their Home Guard this ANZAC weekend, and...

Fencing in the classroom

24 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Anisha heads to Geraldine High School to learn about their farming skills course, the Primary Industries Academy.Learn more about Geraldine High Schoo...

From Farm to Front Line: Halcombe honours its Home Guard

24 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Many small towns in New Zealand had their own "Dad's Army" during the second world war. But far from feeble and fumbling like those in the well-known ...

Roar ready: Busy season underway for taxidermists and wild game butchers

24 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

"Once the reds start roaring, it really, really gets busy," Oliver Garland of All Over Taxidermy says.With thanks to:Oliver GarlandJordan Hamilton-Bic...

Rural News Wrap for 24 April 2026

24 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 17 April 2026

17 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week on Country Life Gianina meets a worm farmer in Hawke's Bay, while Sally drops in on a Kerikeri orchard growing dragon fruit and Anisha is wi...

Here be dragons, under cover in Northland

17 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A trial of the striking and exotic dragon fruit is hitting its straps in Northland. Could the new sweet varieties grown under cover be a viable crop i...

Arable farmers chase greener pastures

17 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Canterbury is an arable powerhouse, but in recent years, many have started moving into dairying. What's behind the change?You can find photos and read...

Wonder Worm

17 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Trevor Hellyer made the move from one mud loving animal to another - changing from pig farming to worm farming just outside Havelock North. Go to this...

Rural News Wrap for 17 April 2026

17 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 10 April 2026

10 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Country Life visits New Zealand's only cranberry farm, finds out about the origins and passion for the trusty ute and meets Laura Watson of Monowai St...

Crunchy, crispy cranberries

10 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Anisha Satya visits New Zealand's only cranberry farm - and samples the produce.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on...

Mustering the trusty ute at Methven A&P Show

10 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

While Americans have their pick-ups, Kiwis and Aussies have the ute. Mark Leishman finds out about the ubiquitous farmers' and tradies' vehicle at the...

Laura Watson's 'pinch me' moment

10 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Laura Watson is a the fourth generation of her family to run Monowai Station. She's not only helping restore wetlands and pockets of native bush on he...

Rural News Wrap for 10 April 2026

10 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 3 April 2026

03 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week Country Life meets some pioneer egg producers and a farmer growing and harvesting an ancient grain.You can find photos and read more about t...

Poultry 'pioneers': Three generations of Bennik's behind an egg empire

03 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

From moving to cage-free farming in the 90's, becoming SPCA animal welfare accredited and launching a liquid egg processing plant - the Bennik family ...

Four farmers, one forgotten grain and the pasta-maker bringing it to the plate

03 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Amid a growing eat local movement, durum wheat is being grown and turned into pasta by an artisan food producer and a group of Wairarapa farmers. You ...

Rural News Wrap for 3 April 202

03 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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

Answering the roar - hunting venison for people in need

03 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

For a few years now Lisa Daunton has been stocking food banks in Te Tai Rāwhiti with wild venison which she harvests with fellow hunters. With thanks...

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 27 March 2026

27 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Country Life meets a family using bullock-power instead of diesel to grow their own food, and gets a taste of the tomatoes grown by some of Wellington...

Off-grid, thriving and feeding whānau without fossil fuels

27 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Bullocks and horses power the Land's farm in the Hokianga where three generations live off-grid, growing practically all their own food without the ne...

Roots that run deep - Capri tomatoes

27 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

From Italy to Wellington's south coast, growing and eating great food is central to the Cuccurullo family maintaining its cultural heritage. For the p...

Standing up for migrant farmers

27 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Anisha Satya chats with Kristine Asuncion, Filipina dairy farmer and advocate.With thanks to:Kristine AsuncionGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more...

On the Farm for 27 March 2026

27 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A wrap of conditions on farms and orchards around the country. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 20 March 2026

20 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Country Life visits a mosque in remote Southland, the sheep of the future in Northland, and traverses Mid Canterbury's rivers and shorelines with pest...

A trap down the river: Pest control along Mid Canterbury's waterways

20 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Farmers, tradies and 4x4 enthusiasts are doing their bit to protect Mid Canterbury's rivers and oceans.You can find photos and read more about the sto...

Meaty, eco-friendly, good-looking but not so woolly - the making of NZ's future flock  

20 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Climate change, increasing costs, fussier consumers and changing rules have researchers and breeders working hard to develop a sheep that will not onl...

The future role of meat and dairy in feeding humans

20 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Chicago-based Global Dairy Platform's executive director Donald Moore on the importance of addressing emissions reductions with a 'global mass' approa...

Rural News Wrap for 20 March 2026

20 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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

The Masjid that's made a home in Mataura

20 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Mataura Masjid provides a place of community for those from as far as Roxborough and Tapanui to Wyndham.You can find photos and read more about th...

What to Listen to Next: Far From Town

15 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

After her time at the Shepherdess muster, Country Life presenter Gianina Schwanecke shares the latest podcast from RNZ made in collaboration with the ...

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 13 March 2026

13 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week Country Life is helping with the grape harvest, taking you line-dancing and meeting rural women at the Shepherdess Muster.You can find photo...

Making memories at the Shepherdess Muster

13 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A weekend retreat filled with crafts, relaxation, learning, fun and connection in the remote rural community of Tokanui in Southland.You can find phot...

Let's go line dancing

13 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The rurally-rooted dance style has had a resurgence across New Zealand. Country Life attends a class to learn why. You can find photos and read more a...

Pick and be merry - harvest time at Big Sky Wines

13 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Harvest time at Big Sky Wines, established by Kath Jacobs and Jeremy Corban, begins or ends with friends and neighbours in the vineyard helping to bri...

Rural News Wrap for 13 March 2026

13 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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

Dairy payouts and Kiwisaver changes with Steve Hayidakis

13 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

ANZ's general manager for business and agri discusses how the Fonterra consumer brands sale will impact rural towns and supermarket shelves.Go to this...

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 6 March 2026

06 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Country Life visits the Duff family's permaculture farm in the Hawke's Bay, a farming festival in North Canterbury, chats to young Kiwi pilot Henry Ph...

A walk through Aotearoa's farming festival

06 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Underground Festival brings rural folk from across the motu together to learn about regenerative agriculture, and share kai from the land. Anisha ...

Permaculture power in Poukawa

06 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Duff family's focus is working with nature when it comes to their permaculture farm and organic nursery, Kahikatea Farm. You can find photos and r...

Young kiwi pilot helps map and fight Victoria's devastating bushfires

06 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Kiwi pilot Henry Phelps has gone from wilderness flying to helping combat Australia's bushfires, flying planes with special technology which provide p...

Weird, wacky wildfood

06 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

From wild deer to huhu grubs - the Wildfoods Festival in Hokitika celebrates all foods foraged and feral. Anisha Satya talks to vender coordinator Car...

On the Farm for 6 March 2026

06 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A wrap of conditions on farms and orchards around the country.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 27 February 2026

27 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Country Life is with blade shearers from around the world in a woolshed in Tinui and immersed in the many attractions of the tiny community of Duntroo...

Duntroon - the biggest little town in the valley

27 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

For a town of only 100 people, Duntroon has more than its share of attractions, with a blacksmiths, a master saddler, the intriguing Vanished World He...

Sharpening their edge for the Golden Shears

27 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Blade shearers from around the world have been sharpening their tools and their eye before the Golden Shears in Masterton under the tutelage of Allan ...

An Oxford professor on the future of food and food production

27 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Charles Godfray has told the Riddet Institute's Agrifood Summit our food systems will have to change in order to limit the impacts of global warmi...

Rural News Wrap

27 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 20 February 2026

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Country Life heads to Waipara for the Underground Festival, looks at the tradition of whiskey making in Southland and meets a biochar-maker north of W...

Turning brewery gunk and forest junk into something good for the soil

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Hops from a Wellington brewery, cotton offcuts from a fashion label and forestry slash has turned Matt Welton into a bit of a Heath Robinson. His firs...

Moonshine matriarch: Southland's tradition of distilling Scottish whisky

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A look inside the Hokonui Moonshine Museum where the manufacture of this legendary spirit continues in the modern day.You can find photos and read mor...

Rural News Wrap for 20 February 2026

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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

A festival for farmers

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Underground Festival organiser Fran Bailey chats with Anisha Satya about the idea, the execution, and what makes it different from other farming forum...

BONUS: The Detail - The wine industry headache

18 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Too many grapes, international headwinds and a dramatic drop in drinkers is proving problematic for our wine producers.Perfect growing conditions for ...

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 13 February 2026

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Country Life gets the latest on the beef market and cherry harvest, learns how pairing solar and horticulture could help with growing and joins one of...

Ruby jewels of Otago a Lunar New Year treat

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A look at how Clyde Orchard's recent cherry and stonefruit harvest has gone and a tour of a new purpose built accommodation for its RSE workers.You ca...

Growing a farmer - Archie's life as a Pāmu apprentice

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Archie's 17 and an apprentice to Micky, champion shearer and Pāmu farm manager on King Country sheep and beef farm Te Wharua. We head out mustering a...

New study into growing crops under solar panels

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Growing crops alongside solar farming is a new field for New Zealand, so researchers here have been analysing studies of these sorts of systems around...

Rural News Wrap for 13 February 2026

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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

A yarn on the farm with beef farmer Craig Pickens

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A little bit of luck as well as good management is behind our guest's entry into the roaring beef market. Craig Pickens has been farming in King Count...

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 6 February 2026

06 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week the Country Life team takes you riverside to find out about an unusual ferry which has been running for 130 years, they delve into the scien...

A Little Route 66 on State Highway 8

06 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Producer Mark Leishman goes on a personal journey to Burkes Pass, a place with deep family ties. A fire in the 1990s destroyed most of the Burkes Pass...

Shaking it all up in a greenhouse trial

06 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Researchers from the Bioeconomy Science Institute are investigating whether they can apply the vibrations of insects to disrupt pests in the greenhous...

130 years: Take a punt on the Tuapeka Mouth Ferry

06 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The southern hemisphere's only still operational river ferry celebrates 130 years.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode ...

Rural News Wrap for 6 February 2026

06 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A wrap of the week's news from the primary sector.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 30 January 2026

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Country Life is back for 2026 with a classic tale of the bush, bullocks and camp ovens at an old woolshed in King Country. The team check in on a fore...

Camp ovens, bullockies and other tales from the bush

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Old-timer Lew Pickens' passions hark back to his days clearing land in Northland - camp oven cooking and driving bullock teams. He has a woolshed full...

Ikea owner's first New Zealand forest: 'Timber production first and foremost'

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ingka Investments, the parent company of furniture giant Ikea, now owns 30,000 hectares of forestry in Aotearoa. It's first purchase saw the conversio...

Growing demand for on-farm fun from international tourists

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Agritourism NZ's Marijke Dunselman outlines how farmers and growers can take advantage of growing global demand for authentic experiences on the farm....

On the Farm for 30 January 2025

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A wrap of conditions on farms and orchards around the country. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 19 December 2025

19 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Country Life heads to an arboretum where dozens of different types of trees are grown, including a few for Christmas. We travel up the Whanganui River...

Life's a strawberry patch with the Roys of Piopio

19 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Roy family all pitch in getting berries from orchard to Christmas plate over the festive season. They have been growing berries in Piopio for more...

RD6: Life along the Whanganui River

19 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Rural postie Tracy Marshall takes visitors along her mail delivery route which winds along the Whanganui River. You can find photos and read more abou...

How planting exotic trees can enable native trees to grow

19 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"You can come here and see nearly every type of forestry system that can be applied," Blair Jamieson says of Tāmata Hauhā's demonstration farm near ...

Rural News Wrap for 19 December 2025

19 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 12 December 2025

12 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Country Life this week visits Cornwall Park Farm, the farm within New Zealand's largest city, and heads to the Bay of Plenty to meet animal trainer Be...

The trainer turning animal tricks into teen confidence

12 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chickens play football and sheep wave their hooves at Bex Tasker's place. She used to be a dog handler with customs and now uses her expertise in anim...

Cornwall Park: The farm within the heart of a city

12 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Cornwall Park farm is something of a hidden gem in the heart of Auckland City. But being a farm in the city comes with specific challenges. You can f...

Rural News Wrap for 12 December 2025

12 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A wrap of the week's news from the primary sectorGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details