Farming
Animals posing hazards on the roads
The New Zealand Transport Agency is asking livestock owners to be more vigilant about where their animals are, after a number of recent incidents on highways. Journey manager Nicole Felts spoke to… Audio
Tasman vineyard owner keeping close eye on rainfall
Last week's floods left vineyard owner Dave Pratt's property in Brightwater, southwest of Nelson, buried in so much silt that he and his team have not had time to clear it. He spoke to Corin Dann. Audio
Motueka farmer fears further damage
A Motueka farmer whose farm was badly affected by the recent flooding is waiting to see what new damage might have been done. Paul Woollaston spoke to Corin Dann. Audio
New climate change resilient apple exports tipped to nearly double this year
The zesty red 'Sassy' apple is now being sold to more than 10 countries and it's forecast that 1.8 million kilos of the fruit will be exported this year. Audio
Extra flood support for flood affected farmers announced
The government has unlocked extra support for flood-affected farmers and growers in Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough, following last week's deluge. Rural Communities Minister, Mark Patterson spoke to… Audio
Midday Report Essentials for Monday 30th June 2025
In today's episode, Farmers in Tasman and Nelson are getting on with repairs while they wait to see if more bad weather comes to frutition, 17 homes in Nelson and Tasman are currently uninhabitable… Audio
PGG faces $780K in liability for farm sale negligence
Court documents showed the sale featured incorrect descriptions about the herd size and milk production at the 105 hectare site near Hokitika.
Homes flooded in Marlborough
Malborough dairy farmer, Dione Timuiaiala, whose home flooded over the weekend called it a shock to wake to water underfoot. She spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
South Island farmers badly affected by the storm
Farmers in Nelson and Tasman are reeling from a major weather event that's left some farms totally devastated. Ingrid Hipkiss spoke to Federated Farmers president Kerry Irvine. Audio
Invest in nature, no gumboots required
Country Life: What are biodiversity credits and how can they work for NZ?
Roebuck Farm Where the garden beds are rich 'like chocolate cak
Over the past 20 years, Jodi Roebuck and his wife Tanya have turned a bare paddock into a thriving market garden with an emphasis on microgreens, teachers others from around the world how to do the… Audio
Bokashi by the Tonne Farmers turns waste into natural fertilise
The Japanese anaerobic composting system, which ferments organic matter, is helping to maintain healthy soils on a sheep and dairy grazing farm in North Canterbury. Audio
Dollars for nature - a look at biodiversity credits
News that government this month said is looking to support a market system to help fund the huge cost of restoring nature could be music to the ears of farmers and iwi wanting to do their bit for… Audio
Full Episode for Friday 27 June 2025
This week Country Life dives underground to take a closer look at soils, from Canterbury farmers using the Japanese Bokashi system to a market gardener making garden beds as rich as chocolate cake in… Audio
Bokashi by the tonne - chocolate brown and teeming with worms
Two North Canterbury farmers have been bitten by the bokashi bug. As well as being a soil superfood, it's also cost effective.
