Rural
Canterbury student finding solution to age old farming problem
University of Canterbury student Jade Luxton has identified a critical gap in New Zealand's livestock vaccination process - which is costing farmers millions annually and raises animal welfare issues… Audio
Hospitality industry on govt's two new work visas
Farmers, winemakers and tour operators are welcoming the government's announcement of two new work visas to help bring workers into the country - but the hospitality industry says it's been left out… Audio
Cover crops and critters - a dirty love affair
Stephen Newman has gone from IT to conventional farming to becoming a devotee of the regenerative farming movement.
How to weather the great grass shutdown in the south
The gloom and wet of winter is especially challenging for Southland's farms where pasture can go for nearly a third of the year without growth.
K?rero and Kai - sharing stories and flavours on the marae
Producer Justine Murray flexes her tastebuds on traditional kai cooked up at Otawhiwhi Marae where food and stories came together as part of this year's Flavours of Plenty Festival. It's the first… Audio
The Soil Hacker - one farmer's quest to outsmart the weather
Kaipara farmer Stephen Newman is intent on improving soils and pasture in low cost, natural ways. He's now helping others too and hopes these methods will become even more useful as the country… Audio
A wrap from RNZ's rural news desk
A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector. Audio
'Planning key' to getting winter grazing right
Over the winter months many farmers rely on intensively grazing stock on high nutrition crops to make the most of limited feed, however, this can lead to environmental challenges and even animal… Audio
Country Life Friday 8 August 2025
This week Country Life takes a look at efforts to save soil on farms at both ends of the country and takes you to taste some traditional kai in the Bay of Plenty. Audio
Fiery meeting held in North Canterbury over police station closures
Hundreds of north Canterbury locals turned out to a fiery meeting in Culverden on Wednesday night, angry about a proposal to remove the town's two police officers. Anna Sargent reports. Audio
Canterbury firm keeps craft wool processing in New Zealand
The country's last operational woollen dye house and spinning mill has been saved from the scrap heap.
Federated Farmers' comments on police 'not helpful', district commander says
Police are accusing Federated Farmers of scaremongering over a proposed restructure in rural Canterbury. Audio
Are NZ shoppers hungry for genetically-modified foods?
Food Standards Australia New Zealand approved updated definitions for genetically-modified food in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code in June for review, following public consultation. Audio
Canterbury farmers upset over proposal to cut local police services
Farmers in Canterbury are furious about a proposal to cut local police services in favour of 24/7 hubs in Rangiora and Rolleston. North Canterbury Federated Farmers' president Bex Green spoke to Corin… Audio
