Farming
Synlait’s comeback delayed as costs stay high
The dairy company is forecasting a hefty half-year loss as its recovery takes longer than hoped.
Needle steriliser a 'third hand' for farmers
The final touches are being put on a new gadget promising to speed-up vaccinating or giving pain relief to livestock. Audio
A life in the bush, a woolshed of memories
Lew Pickens' passions hark back to his days clearing land in Northland - camp oven cooking and driving bullock teams. He has a woolshed full of memorabilia on the family farm in King Country and he is…
Milking the opportunity, no herd required
Farmers are being urged to embrace the growing demand for "experiential tourism" from overseas visitors.
IKEA owner's first New Zealand forest: 'We're here for the long term'
Ingka Investments, the parent company of furniture giant IKEA, now owns 30,000 hectares of forestry in Aotearoa. Its first purchase saw the conversion of Wisp Hill Station in southern Otago from…
Camp ovens, bullockies and other tales from the bush
King Country farmer Lew Pickens' passions hark back to his days clearing land in Northland - camp oven cooking and driving bullock teams. He has a woolshed full of early tools and farming machines in… Audio
Ikea owner's first New Zealand forest 'Timber production first
Ingka Investments, the parent company of furniture giant Ikea, now owns 30,000 hectares of forestry in Aotearoa. It's first purchase saw the conversion of Wisp Hill Station in southern Otago from… Audio
Growing demand for on-farm fun from international tourists
Agritourism NZ's Marijke Dunselman outlines how farmers and growers can take advantage of growing global demand for authentic experiences on the farm. Audio
Full Episode for Friday 30 January 2026
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 forest growing wood into products for Ikea and find… Audio
Tai Rawhiti farms facing huge clean up and access problems
Some farms in Tai Rawhiti are facing huge clean up jobs and access problems following heavy rain and flooding last week. Mud and slips have cut off roads and communities higher up the coast near Hicks… Audio
Farmer banned from owning livestock for life after sheep neglect
Inspectors found sheep suffering from advanced foot-rot, necrotic tissue and maggot infestation.
Water nitrate levels rise in district previously hit by unsafe levels
Nitrate levels are inching up in parts of the South Canterbury's Waimate district where some council water supplies were previously off limits for extended periods twice following breaches of the…
'End of an era' for Napier's wool auctions
Major wool broker PGG Wrightson will no longer hold wool auctions in Napier, after more than 140 years.
Call to ban all caged hens
Animal rights charity says cages cause harm and distress for hens and the government should phase them out..
Elite working dogs fetch more than $300,000 in auction frenzy
Organisers of a long-standing North Island working dog auction say a shortage of quality farm dogs is pushing up prices.
Midday Rural News for 27 January 2026
An update on the latest news from RNZ's rural team. Audio
