Rural
Saving seeds, saving stories
Jemma Ostenfeld collects and germinates seeds on a patch of borrowed land in the eastern Bay of Plenty. She is helping to preserve the genetic memory of plants - each seed a story of survival… Audio
From the Archives - Sheep on the board
In this story for the long-running programme Spectrum, first broadcast in 1972, Jack Perkins joins a Wairarapa shearing gang, on a farm near Masterton. It starts at the beginning of a day's shearing… Audio
A wrap from RNZ's rural news desk
A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector. Audio
A kiwi's life in the world's largest dairy farms
Twenty years ago Berwick Settle was a Southland sharemilker. Since then he's worked in some of the biggest dairy farms in the world, helping set up farms in China and Russia where cows live year round… Audio
Winner of the Young Horticulturist of the Year
Canterbury nursery manager Jake Linklater has won the prestigious Young Horticulturist of the Year trophy. He won the title last night after an intensive two-day competition. Jake also took out the… Audio
Midday Rural News for 7 November 2025
An update on the latest news from RNZ's rural team. Audio
Morning Rural News for 7 November 2025
The latest rural news with Gianina Schwanecke. Audio
DOC asks southern farmers to help spot endangered kakī
The native black stilt birds mostly call Mackenzie Basin's braided rivers and wetlands home, but conservation staff expect they could be on the move following recent storms.
Christchurch trials sheep to reduce Port Hills fire risk
Christchurch City Council is trialling sheep as a way to combat fire risk in the Port Hills. The popular Kennedys Bush track is closed until Wednesday to allow sheep to graze the dry grass in the… Audio
Midday Rural News for 3 November 2025
The Bay of Plenty regional council has bought a large dairy farm as part of its sustainability efforts. Audio
'Every-day operation': What it takes to get trees ready for Christmas
Trimming, fertilising, recruiting and ready - Christmas tree farms reckon real trees are more popular than ever.
Morning Rural News for 3 November 2025
The government recently lowered its 2050 methane reduction target from 24 to 47 percent to 14 to 24 percent below the 2017 levels. Audio
Being 'the keeper of the community's stories'
Eketāhuna Museum is a treasure chest of curiosities which shines a light on the small town's Scandinavian heritage and the challenges of running a country museum.
Breeding the 'wagyu of lamb' for an ever-changing environment
Alastair Reeves has followed in his father's footsteps, using genetics to help farmers solve problems on farm by breeding sheep that make for good eating, are tolerant of facial eczema and emit lower…
It's a 'numbers game': Company's quest to breed low methane-emitting bulls
The team of scientists at LIC, the Livestock Improvement Corporation, hope to know by late next year if they can offer farmers more methane-friendly bulls.
Eketāhuna Museum - keeper of the community's stories
Volunteers at the Eketahuna Museum are getting ready to reopen. This treasure chest of curiosities shines a light on the small town's Scandinavian heritage and the challenges of running a country… Audio
Breeding the 'wagyu of lamb' for an every-changing farm environ
Alastair Reeves has followed in his father's footsteps, using genetics to help farmers solve problems on farm by breeding sheep that make for good eating, are tolerant of facial eczema and emit lower… Audio
A 'numbers game' LIC's quest to breed low methane emitting bull
The team of scientists at LIC, the Livestock Improvement Corporation, hope to know by late next year if they offer farmers more methane friendly bulls. Audio
