Country Life

Episod

• 
  FULL SHOW: Country Life for 25 September 2026 25.09.2026 51min

  This week Country Life is at a rural school in Wairarapa celebrating its sesquicentennial and visits a Taranaki piggery to hear how one farming family is adapting to major changes in New Zealand's pork industry.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:47 - On the Farm7:58 - Good greens, small sprouts14:33 - Room to oink28:40 - 150 years of Tinui SchoolWith thanks to:Karen McGrath, Southern Alps SproutsKarl StanleyDuncan Smith, Amanda Aitken, Jenny Balfour, Reverend Steve Thomson, Ian Perry, Phyllis French, and Caryl ForestMake 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 [email protected] to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
• 
  150 years of Tinui School 25.09.2026 21min

  While pastoral farming saw the settlement of Tinui established over 150 years ago, things have changed as farmland's been converted to forestry and the school's roll has decreased. Earlier this month past pupils gathered to reflect on the school's sesquicentennial and its future. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.Learn more about Tinui School and its 150th celebrations, here.With thanks to:Duncan Smith, Amanda Aitken, Jenny Balfour, Reverend Steve Thomson, Ian Perry, Phyllis French, and Caryl ForestMake 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 [email protected] to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
• 
  Taranaki pig farmer goes whole hog to stay ahead 25.09.2026 13min

  A Taranaki pig farmer is spending $2 million creating more space for pigs as welfare expectations change. Country Life visits Stanley Bros near Ōpunake to see what's involved.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Karl StanleyGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
• 
  Good greens, small sprouts 25.09.2026 6min

  Southern Alps Sprouts owner Karen McGrath shares her business' journey.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Karen McGrath, Southern Alps SproutsGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
• 
  On the Farm for 25 September 2026 25.09.2026 7min

  A wrap of conditions on farms and orchards around the country.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
• 
  FULL SHOW: Country Life for 18 September 2026 18.09.2026 50min

  Country Life looks back over the Ron Vine Collection of farming photos from the 1930s and 40s, gains insights into a King Country Māori-owned farm, and learns about on-farm biodiversity efforts in Banks Peninsula. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:59 - Rural News Wrap7:29 - The farm photographer who captured a changing New Zealand15:56 - 'Looking for an edge': Data driven decisions on a Māori owned farm31:00 - 25 years of farmland conservationWith thanks to:Malcolm DuffyWeo Maag, Aloma Shearer, Terry Head, and Darren McNaeMaree Burnett, Tim Coop, James Wright, Josh Foster, Sarah Anderson and Ian LuxfordMake 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 [email protected] to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
• 
  25 years of farmland conservation 18.09.2026 18min

  Anisha joins the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust for a day to learn about on-farm native restoration.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Maree Burnett, Tim Coop, James Wright, Josh Foster, Sarah Anderson and Ian LuxfordMake 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 [email protected] to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
• 
  'Looking for an edge': Data driven decisions on a Māori owned farm 18.09.2026 14min

  At Pukepoto it's about using data to 'grow more grass, make more money' and set the farm up for future generations. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Weo Maag, Aloma Shearer, Terry Head, and Darren McNae,Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
• 
  The farm photographer who captured a changing New Zealand 18.09.2026 8min

  A collection of more than 1,400 photographs taken by pioneering agricultural journalist Ron Vine between 1934 and 1947 has been recognised for its unique record of New Zealand farming, land development and Māori communities during a period of profound change. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Malcom DuffyWalsh Memorial Library at the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT)Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
• 
  Rural News Wrap for 18 September 2026 18.09.2026 6min

  A wrap of news from RNZ's rural newsdesk.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 11 September 2026 11.09.2026 50min

  This week Country Life is in Ōtaki finding out about the town's plans to become carbon neutral, and looks at the art of making tallow and the different qualities of raw milk.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:48 - Turing tallow into skincare8:43 - Rural News Wrap15:55 - A 24/7 milk machine: The Good Cow28:38 - The small town growing a forestWith thanks to:Di Buchan, Cam Butler, Drew Mackenzie, Rhian Salmon, Patsy Matheson, and Leigh RamsayMake 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 [email protected] to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
• 
  The small town growing a forest 11.09.2026 21min

  Can a small town plant its way towards carbon neutrality? In Ōtaki, landowners, school children, volunteers and community groups are creating a ring of native forest around the town. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.You can find more about the Ōtaki Carbon Forest Project, here.With thanks to:Di Buchan, Cam Butler, Drew Mackenzie, Rhian Salmon, Patsy Matheson, and Leigh RamsayMake 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 [email protected] to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
• 
  A 24/7 milk machine: The Good Cow 11.09.2026 12min

  Anisha visits The Good Cow's milk vending station in North Canterbury.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Tammy Acton-AdamsInterested in vending machine milk? Listen to Sally’s story on a stall near Wellington, here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
• 
  Rural News Wrap for 11 September 2026 11.09.2026 7min

  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
• 
  Turning tallow into skincare 11.09.2026 7min

  Zoë Vaughan shares how Earth Glow converts butchery waste into balms and creams.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Zoë VaughanGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
• 
  FULL SHOW: Country Life for 4 September 2026 04.09.2026 48min

  This week Country Life is food foraging around Christchurch, picking flowers for a floral fundraiser and finding out what it takes to become a top young winegrower.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:54 - Rural News Wrap7:40 - Green fingers, golden flowers14:13 - Tomorrow's vineyard leaders put to the test27:36 - From red zone to restaurantWith thanks to:The O’Boyle family, MarangaiSam Bain, Nicky Grandorge, Kris Godsall, Cyril Butler, Paul Fairweather, James Kenny, Alex CoombsAdam Harrison, Shannon Dwyer, Tussock Hill RestaurantGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
• 
  From red zone to restaurant 04.09.2026 20min

  Chef Adam Harrison forages produce around Christchurch for his Michelin-starred kitchen. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Adam Harrison and Shannon DwyerMake 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 [email protected] to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
• 
  Tomorrow's vineyard leaders put to the test 04.09.2026 13min

  New Zealand's top young viticulturists put their technical knowledge, practical skills and leadership abilities to the test in the Young Viticulturist of the Year competition. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Sam BainNicky GrandorgeKris GodsallCyril ButlerPaul FairweatherJames KennyAlex CoombsGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
• 
  Green fingers, golden flowers 04.09.2026 6min

  "Every corner of this farm she's touched something, planted something," says Pattie O'Boyle of the legacy left behind by Marangai's first farming family.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:The O’Boyle family, MarangaiGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
• 
  Rural News Wrap for 4 September 2026 04.09.2026 6min

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