Country Life

FULL SHOW: Country Life for 30 October 2026 30.10.2026 51m

This week Country Life digs into land uses on the East Coast, visits an old rural school turned communal village and checks out the action at the Methven Rodeo. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:47 - On the Farm8:03 - The making of Te Tairāwhiti: Getting land use 'wrong' and where to from here15:42 - It takes a village30:38 - Right time for a rodeoWith thanks to:Hilton Collier, Tairāwhiti Whenua Charitable TrustDrew MackenzieBert Elstob, Rosa Dekkar, Felicity Montgomery, Angus SmithMake 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

Riding into rodeo season 30.10.2026 20m

Anisha experiences the Methven Rodeo, and meets the people behind it.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Bert ElstobRosa DekkarFelicity MontgomeryAngus SmithCurious about the proposed changes to the Code of Welfare for rodeos? Find them 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

It takes a village 30.10.2026 14m

On the site of an old school south of Ōtaki, Makahuri is becoming a village of homes, gardens, chickens, cows and neighbours who look out for one another. Sally Round visits a co-housing community discovering village life takes plenty of work, compromise and conversation. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Drew MackenzieGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The making of Te Tairāwhiti: Getting land use 'wrong' and where to from here 30.10.2026 7m

Māori agribusiness consultant Hilton Collier on Te Tairāwhiti's changing land uses. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Hilton Collier, Tairāwhiti Whenua Charitable TrustGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

On the Farm for 30 October 2026 30.10.2026 7m

A wrap of conditions on farms and orchards around New ZealandA 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 23 October 2026 23.10.2026 50m

Country Life hops in the cab of a stock truck moving cattle, joins a crew planting a food forest in Canterbury and takes a tour of the country's largest wool scouring factory.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:1:06 - Rural News Wrap8:15 - Fleece flies again at Napier's WoolWorks16:10 - Future-focussed food forests32:04 - Ride along: 90 years of helping drive Hawke's Bay's economyWith thanks to:Rosstan Mazey and Tony CunninghamChrystal O'Connor, Jorie Knook, Hiraina Tangiora, and Harry BaitzJohn Robson, Bruce Stephenson, Todd Stephenson, and Kim McRaeMake 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

Ride along: Ninety years helping drive Hawke's Bay's economy 23.10.2026 17m

Gianina takes a drive through remote parts of Hawke's Bay with Stephenson Transport, a multi-generation family run business still going strong. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:John Robson, Bruce Stephenson, Todd Stephenson, and Kim McRaeMake 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

Future-focussed food forests 23.10.2026 15m

A supermarket in forest form - Anisha joins researchers at Lincoln University to see how fruits, veggies and medicinal plants can coexist in a food forest. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Chrystal O'Connor, Jorie Knook, Hiraina Tangiora, and Harry BaitzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Fleeces fly again at Napier's WoolWorks 23.10.2026 7m

After devastating cyclone damage, WoolWorks' Napier plant is humming again, transforming fleece from hill country shearing sheds into the clean, dry, pressed, product ready for carpet makers and other manufacturers. Country Life takes a tour. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Rosstan Mazey and Tony CunninghamGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Rural News Wrap for 23 October 2026 23.10.2026 7m

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 16 October 2026 16.10.2026 50m

Country Life checks in with the Electoral Commission about rural voting enrolments and turnout, gets stuck into a spring tidy of Gianina's garden, and visits pubs around the lower South Island to learn what makes a publican. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:58 - Rural News Wrap6:38 - The state of the rural vote14:23 - Garden Diaries: Spring has sprung (for the original story, see here)29:55 - A conversation with Country PubsWith thanks to:Karl Le QuesneHannah ZwartzKeith Fenwick, Donna Hall, Jim McDougall, Pravesh and Monika KumarMake 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

What it takes to run a country pub 16.10.2026 19m

How are pubs across the central South Island faring in 2026 - and what do their futures look like?You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Keith Fenwick, Donna Hall, Jim McDougall, Pravesh and Monika KumarMake 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

Garden Diaries: Spring has sprung 16.10.2026 15m

The warmer weather means it's time to turn my attention back to the garden, bringing in the crops ready for harvest and preparing my seedlings for the coming season too. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.You can find our first diary entry and details of the garden set up, here.With thanks to:Hannah ZwartzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The state of the rural vote 16.10.2026 7m

Electoral Commision chief executive Karl Le Quesne chats about rural voters, and how they can turn out to the polls in October.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Karl Le QuesneGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Rural News Wrap for 16 October 2026 16.10.2026 5m

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 9 October 2026 09.10.2026 49m

Country Life meets a New Zealander looking after rescue bears in rural Germany and visits an orchid farm in Taranaki.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:58 - Rural News Wrap8:25 - The Kiwi among bears in Bavaria16:32 - From the Archives: Striding out on Te Aratipi Station35:25 - An Eye for an OrchidWith thanks to:John PickardRo, Ed, Selby and Harry Palmer, Te Aratipi Station (for the original story, see here)Eric Lander, Wendy Holt, and Chris GarrettMake 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

An eye for an orchid 09.10.2026 13m

Eric Lander has grown cymbidium orchids for nearly half a century. His blooms can be found in vases from Dubai to New York, carefully bred and nurtured from large greenhouses on an old sheep and dairy farm in the lee of Mt Taranaki. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Eric Lander, Wendy Holt, and Chris GarrettMake 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

From the Archives: Striding out on Te Aratipi Station 09.10.2026 18m

Set on the coast of Hawke's Bay, Te Aratipi Station offers walkers on the farm views across the bay, from the Māhia Peninsula right around to Mt Ruapehu on a clear day. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.For the original story, look here.You can find more about Te Aratipi Station, and their new venture The Bush Table, here.With thanks to:Ro, Ed, Selby and Harry PalmerGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Kiwi among bears in Bavaria 09.10.2026 8m

John Pickard chats to Country Life from the German countryside where the New Zealander has an unusual job helping rescued bears learn to hibernate and regain some of their freedom. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:John PickardGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Rural News Wrap for 9 October 2026 09.10.2026 7m

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