Rural
Full Episode for Friday 9 May 2025
There are two sorts of harvest on Country Life this week - muttonbirds on the titi islands and walnuts at one of Canterbury's biggest walnut orchards. Also, a trip into the past to visit an historic… Audio
Harvesting time is nuts at busy walnut orchard
The walnut harvest is underway at Lightfoot Orchard in Canterbury.
Passing down traditions in the tītī 'pluck house'
Dan Tarrant's ancestors have been harvesting muttonbirds or tītī for 500 years. The autumn harvest is a family affair and a chance to pass down skills and traditions.
Surviving a nuclear war ... in Palmerston North
A new study looks at what it would take to feed a city in the event of a global catastrophe.
Midday Rural News for 7 May 2025
A New Zealand garden product has been recognised on the world stage. Audio
New bill aims to stop animal cruelty through imported products
The proposed bill would require imported products to meet the same animal welfare standards applied locally.
Fonterra to appeal court decision over trademark licensing agreements
The dairy giant wanted a ruling to ensure its divestment plans would not affect its existing trademark deal with Bega Cheese.
Life is gourd for pumpkin seed growers at Summer Hill Seeds
Whanganui farming couple Clare and Grant Adkins are growing plant proteins alongside their animal proteins.
Thousands of chooks saved from Canterbury floods
Much of Canterbury has been inundated with flood water after days of heavy rainfall.
Supermarket prices: 'Residents aren't getting a good deal'
Shoppers in regional New Zealand are missing out on the best supermarket prices, Consumer NZ says.
Conditions on farms and orchards around the motu
Wet weather caused flooding and disrupted the kiwifruit harvest. But for many drought-afflicted farmers it's been welcomed.
Life is gourd for pumpkin seed growers at Summer Hill Seeds
Whanganui farming couple Clare and Grant Adkins are growing plant protein alongside their animals proteins. Audio
South Auckland artist absorbs farm life
Raymond Sagapoutele was not sure what to expect when he arrived at Castle Hill Station for a Creative NZ residency. The photographer hadn't spent time on a farm before, but it wasn't long before he… Audio
Farming 101 - grapevine pruning
Winter's coming up and that means pruning time in the vineyard. How do you prune a grapevine and why? Audio
'Farms are one of the last places I'd ever wanted to be'
Raymond Sagapolutele was not sure what to expect when he arrived at Castle Hill Station for a Creative NZ residency.
Country Life Friday 2 May 2025
This week Country Life is at a pumpkin farm in Manawatu, finding out about seed growing and meets a photographer from South Auckland who's spending time at one of New Zealand's iconic hill country… Audio
Rural families amped for duck hunting season
"Getting out of house and seeing what's out and about in the wild ... it's a bonus if you get a duck or two," says 10-year-old George Slavin.