Country Life

This week Country Life is on a nighttime nature walk in the Bay of Plenty alongside a young conservationist with a passion for bugs, meets Te Horo's backyard builders on a fledgling trapping project and revisits a North Canterbury farm where native trees are making a comeback, all in celebration of Conservation Week. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

After a lifetime of working to clear land, Chris Bolderston is rewilding parts of his sheep and beef farm in North Canterbury. This story was first broadcast in September 2024.You can find photos and read more about this story here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Showing off bugs under torchlight is just one of Jack Karetai-Barret's extra curricular activities. The 15-year-old takes Country Life on a night walk through the bush on the trail of wildlife, showing what it's like to be a volunteer on Whakatāne's kiwi conservation project. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A wrap 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.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A garage in Te Horo is buzzing as backyard builders make traps for a predator-free zone from the beach to the hills.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week on Country Life, Kiwi and Aussie dairy farmers gather in Leeston to explore regenerative, low-input farming methods aimed at improving sustainability and profitability, and a look at the ancient skill of using a scythe with a Coromandel woman who's encouraging others to take up the sharp-bladed tools. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:46 - Rural News Wrap5:51 - Green brew benefits for livestock emissions14:03 - Could old-school tools change how we garden?28:26 - Symposium reflects shift in dairy farmingWith thanks to guests:Peter Ralph, University of Technology SydneyBryan Innes, Beth and Joanna PearsallChloë Dear, Sue Cuberworth, Deane Parker, Chris Hibbert, and Kate Mirams, Dairy's Regenerative Transition SymposiumMake sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

More than 70 farmers, researchers and advisors from New Zealand and Australia gathered in Leeston, to share lessons on low-input, regenerative dairy practices - swapping science, stories and solutions for farming's future. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.You can find more about the symposium, here.With thanks to:Chloë Dear, Sue Cuberworth, Deane Parker, Chris Hibbert, and Kate Mirams.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

Beth Pearsall wants to revive the ancient skill of scything. She loves swishing the sharp-bladed tool through her own garden and holds workshops to teach others about the scythe and its uses. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Bryan Innes, Beth and Joanna PearsallGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Researchers at the University of Technology Sydney and brewers at Young Henrys are using algae to remove carbon dioxide from the brewing process, which can then be fed to livestock to help cut down methane emissions. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Peter Ralph, University of Technology SydneyGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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

This week Country Life learns more about a dairy alternative made from barley and how farm life influences a Waitaki illustrator's work. The team also revisits a Cambridge farming family using regenerative agriculture to finish sheep and cattle they process for their butchery, Wholly Cow.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:37 - Creamy, sustainable and high in fibre - barley eyes up the dairy aisle9:33 - Rural News Wrap17:16 - From gumboots to storybooks - Farming with a twist of magic29:19 - Wholly Cow: Cambridge butcher's childhood dream come trueWith thanks to guests:Dr Gert-Jan Moggré, Plant and Food ResearchEmma Nowell, EJV DesignLuke, Tom and Carrie Andrews of Wholly Cow and FlockMake sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Andrews family has gone from selling farm-raised meats at the Cambridge Farmers' Market to running their own butchery, adding a micro-abattoir, tannery and tallow production to complete the whole. You can find photos and read more about this episode on our webpage, here.You can also listen back to when we first met the family here.In this episode:0:20 - Luke takes us round Wholly Cow4:41 - Paddock to plate7:38 - We meet Tom and Carrie back at the farm9:33 - From tallow to tannery14:05 - The micro-abattoir and a regenerative approachWith thanks to:Luke, Tom and Carrie Andrews of Wholly Cow and FlockMake 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

Emma Nowell transforms life on the land into art, children's stories and games, while keeping the farm and family at the heart of it all. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to guests:Emma Nowell, EJV DesignGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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

A new barley, bred for high fibre and low waste, is being turned into milk and yoghurt - a sustainable alternative with benefits for farmers and big potential in the global dairy-free market. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to guests:Dr Gert-Jan Moggré, Plant and Food ResearchGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week Country Life learns more about a woman trialling growing rice at her home in Nelson, we check in with dog trainer Chris and his young star Miley one last time and we take a look back through the archives to revisit the battle for the West Coast's top rugby prize, the Woodham Shield.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:40 - Rural News Wrap6:22 - Here Now: Yuki Fukuda's trials with rice10:23 - Miley the Huntaway's a 'main act' now25:02 - From the Archive: Mud and bloodWith thanks to:Dr Yuki FukudaChris Shaw and Miley the HuntawayMake sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A trip to the archives where tradition meets passion as four South Westland teams compete for the region's foremost rugby prize, the Woodham Shield. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.You can find photos from the day, 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

For the past year, Country Life has been in the yards or out in the paddock watching Wairarapa dog triallist Chris Shaw train up his latest working dog, Miley - a young Huntaway that's got that "X-factor". You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.Revisit our first meeting with Chris and Miley to see what progress she has made.You can also find previous training sessions to track her progress, here and here.With thanks to:Chris Shaw and Miley the HuntawayGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Pretty much the last place you'd think you'd find a rice paddy growing is on a hill in Nelson, but Yuki Fukuda is doing just that. You can find photos and more information from this story, here. Or take a listen, here.Here Now is another of RNZ's podcasts meeting people from all over the world who've made New Zealand home, bringing their music, sport, traditions and food with themWith thanks to:Dr Yuki FukudaGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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