Rural
The high-tech dairy hub feeding China's sweet tooth
A growing taste for pastries, cakes and dairy-topped drinks in China and southeast Asia is fuelling demand for New Zealand-made cream cheese. Country Life takes a tour of Fonterra's high-tech factory… Audio
The art of the auction
Feilding livestock agent and saleyards auctioneer Alex Stewart on breaking into an old man's game, human calculators and conducting the sale. Audio
Full Episode for Friday 3 October 2025
This week Country Life is inside one of Fonterra's large dairy plants and meets a Canterbury farming couple tailoring woollen coats from their family's flock. Audio
'Out of control' love for tractors forces Kiwi to auction 116
Two rugby field-sized sheds have been barely enough to contain Wānaka man Allan Dippie's obsession.
Wānaka man to auction part of vintage tractor collection
The Wānaka man with more than 400 tractors is parting with some of his prized collection. Allan Dippie spoke to Charlotte Cook. Audio
Rural News for 3 October 2025
What could the sale of Bremworth mean for New Zealand wool? Audio
Rural Health roadshow travels the country
The government is touring the country as part of a Rural Health roadshow, aimed at hearing directly from communities about their healthcare needs. Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey spoke to Corin… Audio
Timber industry welcomes 10% tariff as a 'bit of relief'
News the US imposed a tariff of 10 percent on imported timber has come as a relief to industry, which expected a higher figure.
Meet Chianina, the cattle the size of a car
"The steak's so big you can't get your potatoes on the plate. I don't think that's really a problem."
New Zealand's rural freshwater at risk, study finds
Canterbury, Waikato and Southland had the highest amounts of contamination.
LDR's Southland report with Matt Rosenberg
LDR's Matt Rosenberg has all the news from the neighbourhoods around Invercargill/Southland. Audio
Country Life: Sniffing out new life at Trufflewood
Springer Spaniel Indie has just finished her first harvest as a truffle hunter, showing outstanding skills for a pup.
Storm's got your back (and knees)
Physio and farmer Storm Baynes-Ryan gives in-paddock advice to help Te Tai Rāwhiti farmers recover from injuries, stay strong and keep fit.
Farming, tea and tales gone by
Farmer Ian Buckingham was born at Lansdown Farm at Hook near Waimate 85 years ago, and he's never left.
Sniffing out a new life at Trufflewood
Indie the Springer Spaniel has just finished her first harvest as a truffle hunter, showing outstanding skills for a pup. Her owners Nikki & Lance Dodd of Trufflewood have just finished their first… Audio
A life on the land
Farmer Ian Buckingham was born at Lansdown Farm at Hook near Waimate 85 years ago and he's never left. Audio
A wrap from RNZ's rural news desk
A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector. Audio
