Rural
Norsewood factory Norsewear a sign of close-knit community
The Norsewear factory in Norsewood is a community affair, with families, an entire volunteer fire brigade and neighbours working alongside each other over the decades. They have been celebrating 60… Audio
Dam project aims to stop flooding in Christchurch's Early Valley
A series of dams to capture stormwater as it runs off the Port Hills are being constructed on farmland near Christchurch. It's the brainchild of Brent and Shirley Rawstron from Rossendale Wines, who… Audio
Reaping pink gold from South Island hydro canals - caviar harvest
Mt Cook Alpine Salmon in the Mackenzie District began experimenting with caviar three years ago and is in the midst of its short harvest period. Sally Murphy caught up with the company's chief… Audio
On the Farm - a wrap of conditions around the country
A dry autumn will make for a tough winter for many farmers across the lower North Island, meanwhile it's made a great end to harvest with growers in Hawke's Bay and Marlborough busy pruning. Audio
Country Life for May 31 2024
This week on Country Life, caviar being farmed in Mackenzie Country, a flood-prone vineyard in Canterbury which has created flood prevention basins to keep dry and a woollen sock company which is at… Audio
Lack of wool education means farmers 'will suffer'
New Zealand, once renowned for its wool industry and high-end merino products, is now seen as neglecting wool education, industry insiders say.
"Nature's itching to put the bush back"
From a block of gorse-infected scrubland on Banks Peninsula, renowned botanist Hugh Wilson has spent half a lifetime growing Hinewai Reserve into a 1600-hectare paradise of regenerated native forest… Audio
Forging through tough times
Blacksmith Jamie Hughes has a niche business crafting knives and hand-forged metalwork for chefs, farmers and tourists from his smithy in Norsewood. Tough economic times means he's feeling it from all… Audio
Shear-will and the power of traditional healing
Serena Lyders has found her calling as a traditional Māori healer, giving back to rural communities and working with shearers all around the motu. Audio
Rural News Wrap
A round-up of the week's agricultural news with RNZ rural news reporter Sally Murphy Audio
Country Life for Friday 24 May 2024
This week Country Life meets a traditional Māori healer helping shearers around the motu and things heat up in a blacksmith's forge in Norsewood. Later we explore a native forest that grew from rough… Audio
Controversial chemical deemed 'safe to use' but growers face new rules
Kiwifruit growers are relieved they can keep using an agri-chemical that has been under scrutiny recently.
Midday Rural News for 21 May 2024
Heavy rain is causing some problems for farmers on the East Coast. Audio
Meet the Kiwis ditching modern life for 'homesteading'
A growing number of Kiwis are making the switch to the homesteading lifestyle - foregoing the conveniences of modern life with the aim to grow as much of their own food as possible. Audio
Fernhill - From DOC to dairy on the family farm
Fifth generation dairy farmer Jason Christensen took a break from the family farm to try life as a DOC ranger. His experience in the world of conservation, evident on the Mt Bruce farm in the… Audio
Country Life for 17 May 2024
This week on Country Life we hear about a country vet's daring horseback escape from Afghanistan over the mountains on horseback after 9/11. We meet Pounamu Skelton who is on a mission to help Maori… Audio
Company creating cow-less dairy products given green light to expand
Daisy Lab has been given the go-ahead to scale up production 500-fold.