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Country Life

RNZ New Zealand

The Country Life team take you all over the motu to hear the extraordinary stories of every day rural New Zealand.

Location:

Wellington, New Zealand

Description:

The Country Life team take you all over the motu to hear the extraordinary stories of every day rural New Zealand.

Language:

English

Contact:

PO Box 489, Hamilton 07 8580729


Episodes
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FULL SHOW: Country Life for 21 February 2025

2/21/2025
We meet a farming couple in Southland that are making health products from the hemp they grow, and we get some insights into the Chinese market for New Zealand wine. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:50:35

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Farmers turn weed into wellness products

2/21/2025
A hemp crop flourishes beside wheat, barley and peas at Blair and Jody Drysdale's farm in northern Southland. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:19:51

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Sino-vino ties: A wine-lover linking China and New Zealand

2/21/2025
Fang Mei fell in love with wine after working in the banking industry in New Zealand and China. Now she has her own vineyard here and educates people in China about New Zealand wine. You can read more, here. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:12:15

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Ag student's dreams come true 15 years on

2/21/2025
We check back in with Hamish Best of Conscious Valley just outside Wellington. A keen ag student the last time he spoke to Country Life, he's now a finalist for the prestigious trans-Tasman Zanda McDonald Award. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:10:38

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Rural News Wrap for 12 February 2025

2/21/2025
A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:05:46

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FULL SHOW: Country Life for 14 February 2025

2/14/2025
Head inside a Hawke's Bay packhouse and orchard once covered in millions of litres of silt after Cyclone Gabrielle and meet a topdressing pilot who's still flying after nearly half a century on the job. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:50:15

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Green shoots showing for grower two years after Cyclone Gabrielle

2/14/2025
When Cyclone Gabrielle hit two years ago, 4th generation orchardist Cameron Taylor sprang into action rescuing people from rooftops in his Taylor Corporation helicopter. Since then it's been non-stop in restoring the family orchard and packhouse into working order. You can find photos from the clean-up and recovery here. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:20:05

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'Tractor of the skies' pilot notches up major milestone

2/14/2025
Aerial topdresser John Bargh is preparing for another season up in the air. He's spent nearly five decades in the skies spreading fert on hill country farms. You can read more about John's lengthy flying career here. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:12:25

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Gut fixing seaweed cuts methane emissions from gassy cattle

2/14/2025
Red seaweed grown in Bluff has been shown to significantly reduce methane emissions in beef and dairy cattle with no adverse effects to the animals, their products or the environment. You can read more here. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:12:18

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Rural News Wrap for 14 February 2025

2/14/2025
A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:03:49

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FULL SHOW: Country Life for 7 February 2025

2/7/2025
We head to a woolshed where hundreds of sheep are being shorn for charity and find out how the Tora Coastal Walk has helped a rugged sheep and beef farm weather tough times. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:50:52

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Boots on the ground see farm through tough times - Tora Coastal Walk celebrates 30 years

2/7/2025
It's 30 years since the Elworthy family began the Tora Coastal Walk, one of the first multi-day hikes on farmland in NZ. It's been the key to this marginal farm's survival. Head here for photos and story Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:21:06

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Across the board support for shearing fundraiser

2/7/2025
Dozens of shearers slipped on their moccasins for the Shear For Life charity shearing event at Hinds, raising $150,000 for local charitable groups. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:12:03

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Full circle composting on a Tararua dairy farm

2/7/2025
The team at Waka Dairies near Dannevirke is turning waste from milking cows into fertiliser that can be worked back into the farm. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:09:27

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Rural News Wrap for 7 February 2025

2/7/2025
A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:05:58

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FULL SHOW: Country Life for 31 January 2025

1/31/2025
Meet farmers Joyce and Jock Wyllie, who first met when she was a locum vet visiting his isolated farm in Golden Bay. We also check back in to see what progress Miley the Huntaway is making and talk to Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:51:24

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Vet marries farmer and the rest is history

1/31/2025
Joyce and Jock Wyllie first met when she was a locum vet visiting his isolated farm in Golden Bay. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:21:04

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From pup to pro: Miley the Huntaway hits her stride at 1-year-old

1/31/2025
We catch up with Miley the young Huntaway and her trainer Chris Shaw as she celebrates her first birthday. You'll be blown away by how much progress she's made. Learn more: hereGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:11:20

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Wayne Langford on the farm

1/31/2025
How do New Zealand's farming leaders juggle the farm with the many other hats they may wear in the public arena? We go behind the scenes and catch up with Wayne Langford. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:09:58

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On the Farm for 31 January 2025

1/31/2025
A round-up of conditions on farms and orchards around the country. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:06:41