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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 10 October 2025

10/10/2025
This week Country Life is in Marlborough's back country on Molesworth Station, we check out the sale action at the Feilding saleyards and learn more about Chinese mooncakes, or suncakes as one gardener views them. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. In this episode: With thanks to guests: Make 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.nz Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:50:13

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From the Archive: Mustering at Molesworth

10/10/2025
It's an early start for the musterers at Molesworth Station. The bulls are out with the cows for the mating season and everyone needs to beat the heat. Country Life producer Sally Round spent a day with the stockmen, the farmer and the cook, peeling back some of the mystique of New Zealand's most famous farm. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. With thanks to: Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:24:34

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The 'big money' changing hands at the Feilding saleyards

10/10/2025
Global demand for red meat is driving strong prices for sheep and cattle, some of the best former Feilding farmer Eric Linklater has seen in over 20 years of guiding tours at the local saleyards. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. You can find more about the tours, here. With thanks to: Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:15:39

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Rural News Wrap for 10 October 2025

10/10/2025
A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:04:03

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Mooncakes under a southern sun

10/10/2025
David Ruan says the colourful vegetables growing in his garden are like little cakes relying on the sun for energy, hence the name Suncakes Gardens. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. With thanks to: Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:04:06

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FULL SHOW: Country Life for 3 October 2025

10/3/2025
This week Country Life is inside one of Fonterra's large dairy plants and meets a Canterbury farming couple making beautiful wool coats from their family's flock. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. In this episode: With thanks to guests: The ClipMake 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.nz Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:47:33

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The Clip: Wool to Wear

10/3/2025
Driven by a desire to find a pure New Zealand wool coat, and to find more use for the bales of wool sitting idle in the shearing shed, Charlotte Bell started her fashion business The Clip. She and husband Hamish farm in Hakataramea Valley in Canterbury You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. With thanks to guests: The ClipMake 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.nz Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:15:19

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The high-tech dairy hub feeding China's sweet tooth

10/3/2025
A growing taste for pastries, cakes and dairy-topped drinks in China and southeast Asia is fuelling demand for New Zealand-made cream cheese. Country Life takes a tour of Fonterra's high-tech factory at Darfied to see how it's made. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. With thanks to guests: Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:16:25

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The art of the auction

10/3/2025
Feilding livestock agent and saleyards auctioneer Alex Stewart on breaking into an old man's game, human calculators and conducting the sale. With thanks to guests: Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:06:21

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On the Farm for 3 October 2025

10/3/2025
A wrap of conditions on farms and orchards around the country. 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

Duration:00:07:35

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FULL SHOW: Country Life for 26 September 2025

9/26/2025
This week Country Life meets a couple who've had a lifetime on the same farm, and some newcomers to the truffle industry, and the team also talk fitness with a farming-focused physiotherapist. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. In this episode: With thanks to guests: Make 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.nz Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:50:43

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Sniffing out a new life at Trufflewood

9/26/2025
Indie has just finished her first harvest as a truffle hunter, showing outstanding skills for a pup. Her owners have just finished their first harvest too and are relishing life on the land after years searching for a place to call home. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. With thanks to guests: 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.nz Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:20:56

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A life on the land at Lansdown Farm

9/26/2025
Farmer Ian Buckingham was born at Lansdown Farm at Hook near Waimate 85 years ago and he's never left. 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

Duration:00:12:25

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Rural News Wrap for 26 September 2025

9/26/2025
A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:07:59

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Taking physio to the farmers

9/26/2025
Constant wet weather on hilly Te Tai Rāwhiti farms has led to an uptick in injuries among farmers there. Our guest this week, physiotherapist-cum-farmer Storm Baynes-Ryan, gives in-paddock advice to help them recover, stay strong and keep fit. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. With thanks to guests: Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:07:32

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FULL SHOW: Country Life for 19 September 2025

9/19/2025
This week Country Life delves into the world of the harakeke plant and its many uses - from fashion to paper - and finds out about skincare products made from wool. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. In this episode: With thanks to guests: RomenePakoheMake 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.nz Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:50:33

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The many lessons of the pā harakeke

9/19/2025
Whanganui couple Marilyn and Marty Vreede have been making paper from leftover harakeke from the district's many weavers. Between processing the strong fibre and making sheets of paper, they also help revitalise te reo Māori. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. You can find more about Pakohe, here. In this episode: With thanks to: 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.nz Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:20:56

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Huhana Smith - artist, scholar, activist and farmer

9/19/2025
Huhana Smith grows olives, fruit and harakeke on six hectares of land at Kuku north of Wellington. It's a productive testing ground for growing healthy food and, potentially, a sustainable fashion industry. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. With thanks to: Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:14:55

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Rural News Wrap for 19 September 2025

9/19/2025
A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:06:51

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Romene: From sheep to sheet mask

9/19/2025
Southland sheep farmer Megan Seator is unravelling new uses for Romney's strong wool in a range of skincare products. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. You can find more about Romene, here. With thanks to: Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:05:46