Carol Stiles

Grass growth is bouncing back in the North Island following the cold snap. In Canterbury, snow settled on the plains for the first time since 1992. Audio

Rain's fallen in most North Island regions this week, but only Taranaki and Whanganui, down to Horowhenua, and Hawkes Bay, have had transformational rain. In the South Island temperatures are dropping… Audio

Friday was beautifully sunny over the North Island, and despite Cyclone Pam, nearly every region still needs more moisture, while in Southland farmers are weighing up whether it's worth buying in… Audio

For more than 20 years now Jim Edwards has been working alongside people with disabilities. He runs a kaupapa Māori daily activities programme under the umbrella of Ngā Tukemata-O-Kahungunu Charitable… Audio

Some North Island regions have had reasonably good rain, but follow up is needed, while in the South Island, Marlborough and Canterbury have missed out on rain and Otago needs a lot more. Audio

It is dry everywhere, many regions are desperate for rain. The Otago Regional Council is asking the Government to call for a state-of-drought declaration. Audio

Regions relying heavily on dairy cheques for business are reeling with the size of this week's payout drop, but on farm most places had lovely warm days mid-week in the North Island and grass growth… Audio

For the first time, New Zealand's treatment of people with disabilities is to be scrutinised by the United Nations. Audio

Around the North Island most farms have low pasture covers because it's been colder than usual and condensed lambing and calving has quickly pushed up demand for feed. Calving and lambing's in full… Audio

Canterbury-based Lincoln University has entered into two new farming ventures in the North Island; one is with St. Peter's School in Cambridge. The school has its own dairy farm. Audio

Around the North Island the effects of a lot of rain are being felt with pastures pugging, and in the South, snow has whitened the hills in Otago and Southland. Audio

A nor westerly wind's warmed up the East Coast of the North Island this week, and in the South, temperatures reached a balmy 19 degrees in Central Otago. Audio

A very cold snap hit the North Island at the start of the week while in the south dairy grazers are returning home in time for calving. Audio

Even a mild brain injury can have a huge impact on a person's life. Following an accident, medical staff often focus on the injuries they can see and sometimes brain injuries are missed. One in Five… Audio

It's been particularly warm and wet around the country. Audio

There are 17 assistance dogs working with people with disabilities in New Zealand – and a long list of people who would like one. Assistance Dogs New Zealand breeds the labradors and retriever crosses… Audio

In the North Island the last of the kiwifruit is coming off and picking gangs are going straight into pruning, while in the South pregnancy scanning is underway on cows and sheep. Audio

Doug Laing reports on New Zealand's success at the Olympics of Shearing. Audio