Country Life

Country Life's Garden Diaries: From lawn to leafy greens 05.06.2026 20min

Follow along over the next few months as Gianina Schwanecke turns her backyard into a food garden in the name of resiliency.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Hannah ZwartzMake sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.Want to chat to us or find out more about RNZ Podcasts? Join the RNZ Podcasts Discussion Facebook group where we share behind the scenes info about our series, and invite you to share feedback, recommendations and ask us questions.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 5 June 2026 05.06.2026 50min

Country Life digs into the art of growing your own food and dips into the archives to to visit one of the country's longest running alternative communities.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:40 - Rural News Wrap6:49 - From the Philippines to Southland15:00 - From the Archives: Community living in Rainbow Valley29:14 - Country Life's Garden Diaries: From lawn to leafy greensWith thanks to:Guillermo and Christina TolentinoRobert Jenkins, Anne Taylor, Kahu Squires and Cosmo Kentish-BarnesHannah ZwartzMake sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

From the Archives - A visit to Rainbow Valley 05.06.2026 14min

Rainbow Valley in Golden Bay is one of New Zealand's longest running alternative communities. Country Life paid the community a visit last year as it turned 50 years old. You can find photos and read more about this story here.With thanks to:The Rainbow Valley communityGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

From the Philippines to Southland 05.06.2026 8min

Guillermo and Christina Tolentino share the joys and challenges of migrating to rural New Zealand.With thanks to:Guillermo TolentinoChristina TolentinoMake sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.Want to chat to us or find out more about RNZ Podcasts? Join the RNZ Podcasts Discussion Facebook group where we share behind the scenes info about our series, and invite you to share feedback, recommendations and ask us questions.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Rural News Wrap for 5 June 2026 05.06.2026 5min

A wrap of the week's news from RNZ's rural news team.You can find more from RNZ's rural news team, here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 29 May 2026 29.05.2026 51min

This week Country Life is at a training centre for wild Kaimanawa horses, and checks out the oyster harvest in Bluff.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.Make sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.Want to chat to us or find out more about RNZ Podcasts? Join the RNZ Podcasts Discussion Facebook group where we share behind the scenes info about our series, and invite you to share feedback, recommendations and ask us questions.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Oysters every way 29.05.2026 20min

Anisha heads to Bluff to understand the state of the wild oyster fishery.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Graeme WrightJohn EdminstinMax RussellAnn, Margaret and Betty RobertsonMake sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.Want to chat to us or find out more about RNZ Podcasts? Join the RNZ Podcasts Discussion Facebook group where we share behind the scenes info about our series, and invite you to share feedback, recommendations and ask us questions.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Teaching trust to the Kaimanawas 29.05.2026 12min

Kelly Wilson trains Kaimanawa wild horses at the sanctuary she's built on just over 18 hectares, a few minutes out of Taupō. Jimmy Ellingham paid her a visit to see how she helps get them used to the human touch so they can be rehomed. You can find photos, video and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Kelly Wilson, Morgan Chandler-Bruce and Bjarne StreylMake sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.Want to chat to us or find out more about RNZ Podcasts? Join the RNZ Podcasts Discussion Facebook group where we share behind the scenes info about our series, and invite you to share feedback, recommendations and ask us questions.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Northland pests no match for backyard trap-maker 29.05.2026 8min

Steve Allan's been trapping and making traps for nearly 50 years. His simple, strong kill traps made in his home factory in Northland have eradicated thousands of pests over the years and can be found as far away as the Falkland Islands.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Steve AllanMake sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.Want to chat to us or find out more about RNZ Podcasts? Join the RNZ Podcasts Discussion Facebook group where we share behind the scenes info about our series, and invite you to share feedback, recommendations and ask us questions.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

On the Farm for 29 May 2026 29.05.2026 7min

A round up of conditions on farms and orchards around the countryYou can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.Make sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.Want to chat to us or find out more about RNZ Podcasts? Join the RNZ Podcasts Discussion Facebook group where we share behind the scenes info about our series, and invite you to share feedback, recommendations and ask us questions.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 22 May 2026 22.05.2026 58min

This week Country Life follows a farrier as he fits a horse with new shoes, compares different milks and their nutritional benefits, and visit's an actor's bit of country in Middle Earth.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:38 - Milking it: Which milk is best?16:36 - Rural News Wrap24:36 - Hoofin' it in Central Otago: Walking a mile in a farrier's shoes38:36 - A little bit country, a little bit Middle EarthWith thanks to:Louise Brough, Massey UniversityBruce Barton, Barton Blacksmith ServicesWilliam Kircher and Nicole Chesterman-KircherMake sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A little bit country, a little bit Middle Earth 22.05.2026 19min

William Kircher, known for his role as Bifur the dwarf in The Hobbit trilogy, has moved to the country. When not performing overseas, he and jazz singer Nicole Chesterman Kircher are enjoying the rural pace with sheep, chooks, fruit trees and an honesty box at the gate. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:William Kircher and Nicole Chesterman KircherMake sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.Want to chat to us or find out more about RNZ Podcasts? Join the RNZ Podcasts Discussion Facebook group where we share behind the scenes info about our series, and invite you to share feedback, recommendations and ask us questions.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Hoofin' it in Central Otago: Walking a mile in a farrier's shoes 22.05.2026 13min

From working with 2000 degrees Celsius heat to moving a half tonne animal, being a farrier is no easy job, as Country Life found out.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.You can find more about Barton Blacksmithing Services, here.With thanks to:Bruce Barton, Twix and RipGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Rural News Wrap for 22 May 2026 22.05.2026 7min

A round-up of the week's rural news.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Milking it: Which milk is best? 22.05.2026 7min

Country Life speaks to a Massey University professor who specialises in nutrition and food chemistry about different types of milk - their pros and cons.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Louise Brough, Massey UniversityAnd to hear more from the previous guests featured:Alex Irvine of Canterbury's ChoiceCameron Ravenwood of Fernglen FarmFrans Steenkamp of the now closed Brooklyn CreameryDr Gert-Jan Moggré, the man behind Plant and Food's Barley Dairy ProjectGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 15 May 2026 15.05.2026 49min

Ever wondered how farmed salmon produce the next generation? Anisha tours Akaroa King Salmon's hatchery in Canterbury, and an award-winning Māori trust-owned farm in Te Tai Tokerau has had to battle fierce flooding this year. Sally is in the farm ute touring the damage. Also, Dairy Woman of the Year Hinehou Timutimu talks about how she is inspired to farm for the community. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:42 - Rural News Wrap7:37 - Farming takes a village15:49 - Northland's storms test award-winning farm 30:16 - Spawning day on a salmon farmGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Spawning day on a salmon farm 15.05.2026 18min

What does it take to make salmon babies that grow into big, tasty fish. Anisha Satya visits Akaroa King Salmon's hatchery in North Canterbury.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Stewart HawthronHagen KockschHenry WilsonGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Northland's storms test award-winning farm with "million-dollar" herd 15.05.2026 14min

In just three years the Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust's beef farm in Northland was able to boast a "million-dollar herd" on its rehabilitated whenua, winning the prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy in 2025. But this year the farm has been hit by floods and mudslides from intense weather events. Sally Round paid a visit to see how the farm has coped. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here, and the Ahuwhenua Trophy, here.With thanks to:Wess WetereMatthew PayneKirean WetereAhuwhenua TrophyGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Farming takes a village 15.05.2026 8min

Anisha Satya speaks to Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year winner, Hinehou Timutimu, about how community-focused farming makes an impact. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Hinehou TimutimuGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Rural News Wrap for 15 May 2026 15.05.2026 6min

A wrap of news from RNZ's rural news deskGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details