Rural
Ruby jewels of Otago a Lunar New Year treat
A look at how Clyde Orchard's recent cherry and stonefruit harvest has gone and a tour of a new purpose built accommodation for its RSE workers.
Central Otago fruitgrower's cherry pick
A look at how Clyde Orchard's recent cherry and stonefruit harvest has gone and a tour of a new purpose built accommodation for its RSE workers. Audio
Growing a farmer - Archie's life as a Pamu apprentice
Archie and Mickey are a team. Archie's 17 and an apprentice to Mickey, champion shearer and Pamu farm manager on King Country sheep and beef farm Te Wharua. We head out mustering and Archie shows how… Audio
New study into growing crops under solar panels
Growing crops alongside solar farming is a new field for New Zealand, so researchers here have been analysing studies of these sorts of systems around the world. Dr Pieter-Willem Hendriks from the… Audio
Rural News Wrap
A look at what's been making headlines on the rural news desk this week. Audio
A yarn on the farm with beef farmer Craig Pickens
A little bit of luck as well as good management is behind our guest's entry into the roaring beef market. Craig Pickens has been farming in King Country since 2005 and his present farm, Waimiha, has… Audio
Country's largest medicinal cannabis grower set to harvest biggest crop yet
Puro New Zealand has been growing medicinal cannabis since 2018 and is working with iwi on plans to increase its production in Kaikōura.
Morning rural news
Wet weather could impact this year's potato crop though mixing solar farming with growing crops is proving a winner. The morning's rural news with Gianina Schwanecke. Audio
Morning rural update
Fears rural school bus changes will hollow out communities and work is progressing on restoring exports of Meyer lemons to Korea. The morning's rural news with Gianina Schwanecke. Audio
Morning rural update for 11 February 2026
The latest rural news with Gianina Schwanecke. Audio
Midday Rural News for 10 February 2026
An update on the latest news from RNZ's rural team. Audio
New hop off the trial block
Along the banks of the Wangapeka River in Tasman, a new hop variety is being commercially released after more than a decade of research and development. Audio
Funding for emergency care meds 'lifesaving' - rural doctors
Rural doctors say new funding for emergency care drugs could be lifesaving for those in remote communities. Rebekah Doran from the Rural Health Network spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
Morning rural news
A Maori-owned agri-business could move manufacturing overseas and an update from Central Otago cherry growers as the harvest wraps up. The morning's rural news with Gianina Schwanecke. Audio
Midday Rural News for 9 February 2026
An update on the latest news from RNZ's rural team. Audio
Shaking it all up in a greenhouse trial
Researchers from the Bioeconomy Science Institute are investigating whether they can apply the vibrations of insects to disrupt pests in the greenhouse.
