Country Life
938 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 days ago -Country Life takes you down country roads to meet ordinary people achieving their dreams.
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Episodes
Easing the way for farmers in difficult times at Field Days
March 24, 2023 06:38 - 18 minutes - 16.9 MBCountry Life is among drones, driverless tractors, nude sheep and comfy rocking chairs at the Central Districts Field Days, seeing what products are on offer to make the work of hard-pressed farmers and growers a little easier.
Mushrooms sprout new lease on life in remote woolshed
March 24, 2023 06:16 - 8 minutes - 7.47 MBKyle Davey took a winter off two years ago, but what sprouted from his boredom turned out to be some pretty fungi.
Rural News Wrap
March 24, 2023 06:07 - 6 minutes - 6.36 MBRNZ's rural news reporter, Sally Murphy, takes a look at the week's agricultural news.
Country Life for 24 March
March 24, 2023 06:06 - 49 minutes - 45.6 MBSally gets in amongst it at the Central Districts Field Days to find out what's new in the ag world, Cosmo tracks down a bike trail that follows one of New Zealand's longest gold-mining water races and Leah meets a farmer, turned builder, turned mushroom grower in Taranaki.
Southland farmer caught on the hop
March 17, 2023 06:38 - 20 minutes - 18.5 MBHarvesting is about to get underway at Garston Hops which has gone from traditional sheep farming to a two tier operation with big plans afoot.
How a freezer kickstarted a 50 year career in bag-making
March 17, 2023 06:23 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBNearly 50 years ago, Dan Hickman swapped a freezer for a sewing machine. These days, you won't find many people in Otorohanga that aren't proud owners of a colourful Danzbagz bag.
Rural News Wrap
March 17, 2023 06:15 - 7 minutes - 7.24 MBRNZ's rural news reporter, Maja Burry, takes a look at the week's agricultural news.
Country Life for 17 March 2023
March 17, 2023 06:07 - 50 minutes - 45.9 MBNZ's southernmost hop farm, a small town business which has it all in the bag, an online trapping network tightens the net on pests and the ag news wrap with Maja Burry.
Trappers unite over the net
March 17, 2023 06:07 - 8 minutes - 7.45 MBAmid the shiny tractors, new sheep breeds and delicious smelling spit roast at the Central Districts Fieldays in Feilding this weekend, was a stand featuring different types of pest traps. People were hunched over computers finding out about the digital support system, Trap.NZ, which is connecting thousands of trappers around the country.
Crunch-time for Greytown apple orchard
March 10, 2023 06:40 - 17 minutes - 16.5 MBIt's a return to the old days for the Cooke family of Greytown who are inviting people to come with their buckets and baskets to pick their own apples fresh off the tree. It's been a struggle for Molewood Orchard to keep going in the pandemic and it's hoped PYO will stop apples going to waste and houses from taking over the fertile soil.
A bigger picture - dairy farmer discovers landscape photography
March 10, 2023 06:25 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBCapturing beautiful South Island landscapes is more than just a hobby for agricultural entrepreneur and aspiring mushroom-grower Edwin Mabonga.
A smooth roll for Kihikihi
March 10, 2023 06:18 - 5 minutes - 4.75 MBKihikihi Bowling Club has said goodbye to their mower and hello to a vacuum cleaner. Their new carpet green has doubled the clubs membership proving a smooth roll plays an important role in the community.
Rush of Jack Russells in Wānaka
March 10, 2023 06:13 - 4 minutes - 3.93 MBGet your collars ready - a rush of Jack Russells are about to race through Wānaka. The annual K9 Natural Jack Russell Race is an undisputed highlight of the Central Otago town's two-day A&P show and this year over 60 dogs are expected to attend.
Country Life for Friday 10 March 2023
March 10, 2023 06:07 - 50 minutes - 46 MBCountry Life meets ag-entrepreneur Edwin Mabonga who also takes beautiful photos of Southland and drops in on a Wairarapa apple orchard throwing open its gates for a touch of nostalgia.
Rural News Wrap
March 10, 2023 06:07 - 7 minutes - 7.26 MBRNZ's rural news reporter, Maja Burry, takes a look at the week's agricultural news.
Lou Lou the Cow Whisperer
March 03, 2023 13:35 - 14 minutes - 13 MBCows are Laura Murdoch's passion. She shares her everyday interactions with them on Facebook and Tiktok and some of her Cow Whisperer videos have racked up quite a few views.
Stubbs Farm protecting the future through windows to the past
March 03, 2023 06:30 - 15 minutes - 14.2 MBWith over 800 acres of protected land on the farm, Ben Stubbs shares the hidden treasures deep in caves that motivate him to never make the same mistake.
Mad about Mahinga Kai
March 03, 2023 06:18 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBKarl Russell has been gathering food from local rivers all his life and has witnessed the decline in water quality. Now he educates farm leaders on the importance of protecting the waterways for future generations.
Country Life for 3 March 2023
March 03, 2023 06:07 - 50 minutes - 45.9 MBOn Country life this week, a Southland farmer who has a knack of bonding with cows, the hidden treasures in caves on a Waitomo farm, a kaumātua who educates farm leaders on the importance of protecting the waterways for future generations and a wrap of farming conditions from around the country.
On the Farm - a wrap of farming conditions around NZ
March 03, 2023 06:07 - 6 minutes - 5.91 MBThe effects of cyclones are still being felt, while the added rain in summer has grass growing berserk across the North Island. However, the south could do with a bit more and more supplementary feed is being dished out to stock.
Cyclone aftermath: Keeping tabs on mental wellbeing a top priority
February 24, 2023 20:35 - 6 minutes - 6.21 MBThe Rural Support Trust is planning support hubs in remote places for those farmers and growers impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle.
One step at a time for fruit growers who face uncertain future
February 24, 2023 06:48 - 8 minutes - 8.24 MBOrchardist Lesley Wilson and her family plan the next steps for their apple growing operation after a traumatic escape from flood waters.
Farm kitchens fire up in wake of cyclone
February 24, 2023 06:42 - 6 minutes - 6.03 MBThe Greer family kitchen is headquarters to a group which is no stranger to dealing with hard times in rural communities. The Collective Hug, sparked by Hawkes Bay's 2020 drought, is on fire again - cooking and stockpiling meals for those affected by the cyclone. They'll need to be sustained during the tiring months ahead.
Black Hawk Up - fixing fences and feeding stock
February 24, 2023 06:13 - 21 minutes - 19.9 MBLight planes and helicopters are among the workhorses helping in the cyclone recovery effort. Hundreds of kilometres of farm fences need fixing and donated feed is leaving as fast as it's being delivered.
Country Life for 24 February 2023
February 24, 2023 06:07 - 50 minutes - 46.6 MBCountry life meets some of the people doing the mahi to help cyclone-ravaged Hawkes Bay including those feeding people, fixing fences, choppering in supplies and dishing out feed for stock. And the show also features its new segment, the rural news wrap of the week.
Rural News Wrap
February 24, 2023 06:07 - 5 minutes - 5.48 MBRNZ's rural news reporter, Sally Murphy, takes a look at the week's agricultural news dominated by the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle.
Guiding on the Heaphy Track
February 17, 2023 06:30 - 5 minutes - 4.98 MBAngus McKenzie has spent the past ten years as a guide on the Heaphy Track in the Kahurangi National Park in the northwest corner of the South Island.
A city boy's love affair with growing green
February 17, 2023 06:21 - 10 minutes - 9.9 MBFrom golf course turf to your well known Kikuyu, Mark Eman grows it all and has done for almost 40 years.
Will Halliday on dealing with livestock during disaster
February 17, 2023 06:11 - 4 minutes - 4.54 MBMany farmers and people living rurally will be dealing with the issue of flood-stricken animals. Will Halliday of Beef and Lamb NZ has some tips for those handling stressed livestock.
Country Life for Friday 17 February
February 17, 2023 06:01 - 52 minutes - 47.9 MBCountry Life visits a regenerative farm near Ashburton farming wagyu beef and hears some of the harrowing stories from rural areas hard hit by Cyclone Gabrielle. The show takes you onto the Heaphy Track and a turf farm and shares tips for dealing with flood-stricken livestock.
Fossil Creek Farm: 'It hugs you'
February 10, 2023 06:35 - 23 minutes - 21.4 MBChildren and teens with mental health issues are entranced when they spend time at Fossil Creek Farm just outside Nelson. The donkey Holly senses when she should snuggle close and the rhythm of egg collecting and duck feeding brings a sense of stability to all who spend time there.
Rugged farmland reverting back to bush
February 10, 2023 06:21 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MB700 hectares of hill country on Nigel and Cathy Graham's Kaikoura farm is being retired. Income from honey and carbon credits are repacing livestock on the regenerating land. The couple have also protected a wetland that has one of the best examples of a raupo reedland in the district.
A taste of country in growing suburbia
February 10, 2023 06:11 - 7 minutes - 6.99 MBOnce on the outside of Hamilton sits an urban farm keen to deliver vegetables that don't cost the planet. Run by five women, Earth Stewards practices poly-cropping on their organic vegetable beds.
News Wrap
February 10, 2023 06:07 - 6 minutes - 6.2 MBThis new segment looks at some of the major agricultural news of the week with RNZ's rural news team. Reporter Maja Burry chats about dragonfruit, deer milk, rural support for flood-stricken farmers and the departing of Dairy NZ boss Tim Mackle.
Full Episode for Friday February 10 2023
February 10, 2023 06:06 - 51 minutes - 46.8 MBCountry Life vists a suburban market garden delivering vegetables that don't cost the earth and a beef farm where hills are being returned to native bush. Also in the show, a trip to Fossil Creek Farm in Nelson where people are at the centre ... its animals and beautiful setting help nurture and heal troubled minds.
Downhill adventures for diversifying farmers
February 04, 2023 20:40 - 20 minutes - 18.6 MBA new mountain bike park has the run of the hills at Rick and Julia King's farm at Clarence near Kaikōura. It's the brainchild of their daughter Genevieve and has replaced the Merino sheep and cattle at Middle Hill Station.
From one bunch to four greenhouses
February 03, 2023 06:21 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBWith no flora experience but the need for a new direction, Colin and Mary Birch have become the owners of a lily nursery in Cambridge.
More boots on the ground for Gisborne clean-up
February 03, 2023 06:11 - 7 minutes - 7.3 MBFarmers in Tairāwhiti are looking forward to having more boots on the ground this month to help clean up their farms still littered with forestry debris from recent floods. Regional Federated Farmers president Toby Williams who farms sheep and beef talks about the pain his fellow farmers are going through after another major storm last month.
On the Farm - Floating onions and slipping farmland
February 03, 2023 06:07 - 8 minutes - 7.37 MBAssessment of damage is underway in Pukekohe after a deluge of rain saw onions floating down the street and farms turned into lakes. Kiwifruit vines and structures have also been wiped out - while parts of the South Island start preparing for a drought.
Country Life for Friday February 3
February 03, 2023 06:07 - 50 minutes - 45.8 MBThis week Country life is at a new mountain bike park that has the run of the hills at Rick and Julia King's farm at Clarence near Kaikōura. The team also visits flood-stricken growers south of Auckland, a farmer cleaning up after another Gisborne storm, and a lily nursery in Cambridge.
A Year on the Farm - Part 4: The calves get a health check
January 27, 2023 08:31 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBA monthly account of life on the land with Oxford farmer and YouTube vlogger Alistair Bird. In this episode, he explains what happened on-farm in December and gets some calves ready for living on the hills.
Billy Barton - 'They call me the Ferret Man'
January 27, 2023 06:40 - 22 minutes - 20.2 MBBilly Barton used to compete with ferrets as a past-time in his native Wales. Now he trains them and a pack of white shepherd dogs to hunt out rabbits and feral cats in NZ's war against pests.
Grapes on track at estate-grown winery
January 27, 2023 06:13 - 7 minutes - 7.2 MBThe unique limestone hills of the Waipara Valley are home to Greystone's 50-hectare organic vineyard. General manager and founding viticulturist Nick Gill says that despite a lack of direct sunlight, the grapevines are approaching véraison, a French term that heralds the start of the ripening process.
Country Life for 27 January
January 27, 2023 06:07 - 51 minutes - 46.8 MBBilly Barton - 'They call me the Ferret Man', A Year on the Farm - Part 4: Calves get health check before heading onto hills, Grape growth on track at organic vineyard, and On the Farm - a wrap of farming conditions around NZ.
Summer Series: Country Life for 20 Jan 2023
January 20, 2023 06:07 - 50 minutes - 45.8 MBFarmer Time gets kids focused on farming, Plenty of wriggle room for world's largest worm farm & From Mother to Daughter - A Smooth Transition for Multi-generation Farmers
Summer Series: Country Life for 13 January 2023
January 13, 2023 06:07 - 49 minutes - 45 MBOkarito GorseBusters, Horse and plough add French touch to Marlborough vineyard & Sheep farmers roll out woolen mat for the wellness market
Summer Series: Country Life for 6 January 2023
January 06, 2023 06:07 - 50 minutes - 46.5 MBJoin Us, Sheep farmer struggles to control huge hungry hoppers & Healing by Horse
Summer Series: Country Life for 30 December 2022
December 30, 2022 06:07 - 49 minutes - 45.5 MBA scent of the past on Mahia Peninsula, Putting a steak in the ground with heritage breed & Nevalea Alpaca
Summer Series: Country Life for 23 December 2022
December 23, 2022 06:07 - 49 minutes - 45.6 MBWorking dogs go under the hammer, Aiming for Sweet Success - from old carpet factory to vertical strawberry farm & Choice Cherimoyas
Sam Neill - finding balance among the vines
December 16, 2022 08:33 - 19 minutes - 17.5 MBVeteran New Zealand actor Sam Neill returned to his Central Otago vineyard earlier this month to find vines shooting up, pet pigs waiting for a scratch and a young stand of native trees thriving on a ridge overlooking his Red Bank Vineyard. He's celebrating the 25th vintage of Two Paddocks wine.