Rural
PM's 'fashion crime' T-shirt now up for auction
The infamous over-the-suit T-shirt worn by the PM at a Parliament barbecue has gone on sale to raise funds for children living in poverty, in a TradeMe auction.
Topdresser notches up major milestone in 'tractor of the skies'
Aerial topdresser John Bargh has notched up 30,000 hours in the air in nearly five decades spreading fert on hill country farms. Despite tough economic times, his passion for flying remains.
Green shoots showing for grower two years after Cyclone Gabrielle
When Cyclone Gabrielle, fourth-generation orchardist Cameron Taylor sprang into action rescuing people from rooftops in his Taylor Corporation helicopter.
Green shoots showing for grower two years after Cyclone Gabriel
When Cyclone Gabrielle hit two years ago, 4th generation orchardist Cameron Taylor sprang into action rescuing people from rooftops in his Taylor Corporation helicopter. Since then it's been non-stop… Audio
'Tractor of the skies' pilot notches up major milestone
Aerial topdresser John Bargh is preparing for another season up in the air. He's spent nearly five decades in the skies spreading fert on hill country farms and says this season has been as tough as… Audio
Country Life for Friday 14 February 2025
Country Life this week heads inside a Hawke's Bay packhouse and orchard once covered in millions of litres of silt after Cyclone Gabrielle, meets a topdressing pilot who's still flying after nearly… Audio
Families leaving rural life after cuts to school bus routes
Federated farmers says families are being forced to abandon rural life because they can't get their kids to school after cuts to bus routes. Its spokesperson Toby Williams spoke to Lisa Owen. Audio
'The scars will always be there': Farmers reflect on two years post Cyclone Gabrielle
While many have begun to move on from the cyclone, Ian and Helen Burgess remain in limbo.
Te Kuiti man takes home over $20,000 for sub 20 second shear
Kiwi shearer Jack Fagan joined Jesse to discuss winning shearing's biggest cash prize. Audio
Desert Road closure puts tiny town's biggest event on the map
Organisers are anticipating the shutdown will bring even more people flocking through the gates.
Full circle composting on a Tararua dairy farm
The team at Waka Dairies near Dannevirke is turning waste from milking cows into fertiliser that can be worked back into the farm.
The robots that could replace fungicides
Led by Bragato Research Institute in partnership with A Lighter Touch, the research project aims to see if UV-C light can be used to control powdery mildew in place of traditional fungicides.
Northland banana growers taking on many varieties
Leonard Powell meets the Northland farmers growing multiple varieties of bananas. Audio
'Nightmare' - teacher quits to homeschool after daughter's school bus cancelled
A Hawkes Bay teacher quit her job to home-school her daughter after the teenager's school bus route was canned by the Ministry of Education. Audio
Tora Coastal Walk celebrates 30 years
It's 30 years since the Elworthy family began the Tora Coastal Walk, one of the first multi-day hikes on farmland in NZ. It's been the key to this marginal farm's survival. Audio
Across the board support for shearing fundraiser
Dozens of shearers slipped on their moccasins for the Shear For Life charity shearing event at Hinds, raising $150,000 for the Ashburton Cancer Society and Hospice Mid Canterbury. Audio
Full circle composting on a Tararua dairy farm
The team at Waka Dairies near Dannevirke is turning waste from milking cows into fertiliser that can be worked back into the farm. Audio
Rural News Wrap for 7 February 2024
A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector Audio