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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 24 April 2026

4/24/2026
Gianina chats with Otago taxidermists and butchers during the roar; Sally visits Halcombe who are remembering their Home Guard this ANZAC weekend, and Anisha heads to Geraldine High School to learn about their farming pathways course. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, 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. 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:00:49:40

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Fencing in the classroom

4/24/2026
Anisha heads to Geraldine High School to learn about their farming skills course, the Primary Industries Academy. Learn more about Geraldine High School's Primary Industries Academy here. With thanks to: Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:19:09

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From Farm to Front Line: Halcombe honours its Home Guard

4/24/2026
Many small towns in New Zealand had their own "Dad's Army" during the second world war. But far from feeble and fumbling like those in the well-known TV series, the volunteers were highly trained and ingenious but had few resources, according to research. Country Life is in Halcombe which remembers their own Home Guard this year. With thanks to: The archival sound in this podcast is from the New Zealand National Film Unit film Citizen Soldiers (1942), which can be viewed via Archives New Zealand here Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:17:48

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Roar ready: Busy season underway for taxidermists and wild game butchers

4/24/2026
"Once the reds start roaring, it really, really gets busy," Oliver Garland of All Over Taxidermy says. With thanks to: Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:04:02

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Rural News Wrap for 24 April 2026

4/24/2026
A round-up of the week's rural news. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:06:17

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FULL SHOW: Country Life for 17 April 2026

4/17/2026
This week on Country Life Gianina meets a worm farmer in Hawke's Bay, while Sally drops in on a Kerikeri orchard growing dragon fruit and Anisha is with some Canterbury grain farmers. Amid punishing weather and high costs, they're making the switch to dairying. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, 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. 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:00:50:23

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Here be dragons, under cover in Northland

4/17/2026
A trial of the striking and exotic dragon fruit is hitting its straps in Northland. Could the new sweet varieties grown under cover be a viable crop in New Zealand amid a changing climate? You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. And you can find Sally's other story from Northland Te Tai Tokerau about the Land family, here. With thanks to: Bioeconomy Science InstituteNorthland IncGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:17:11

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Arable farmers chase greener pastures

4/17/2026
Canterbury is an arable powerhouse, but in recent years, many have started moving into dairying. What's behind the change? You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. And you can find that other story we mentioned about the Wairarapa Grains Collective, here. 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:00:18:20

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Wonder Worm

4/17/2026
Trevor Hellyer made the move from one mud loving animal to another - changing from pig farming to worm farming just outside Havelock North. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:06:21

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Rural News Wrap for 17 April 2026

4/17/2026
A wrap of news from RNZ's rural news desk Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:05:42

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FULL SHOW: Country Life for 10 April 2026

4/10/2026
Country Life visits New Zealand's only cranberry farm, finds out about the origins and passion for the trusty ute and meets Laura Watson of Monowai Station You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. 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:00:49:49

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Crunchy, crispy cranberries

4/10/2026
Anisha Satya visits New Zealand's only cranberry farm - and samples the produce. 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:00:20:12

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Mustering the trusty ute at Methven A&P Show

4/10/2026
While Americans have their pick-ups, Kiwis and Aussies have the ute. Mark Leishman finds out about the ubiquitous farmers' and tradies' vehicle at the Methven A & P Show's Ute Muster 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:00:14:48

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Laura Watson's 'pinch me' moment

4/10/2026
Laura Watson is a the fourth generation of her family to run Monowai Station. She's not only helping restore wetlands and pockets of native bush on her family farm but across wider Te Tairāwhiti. 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:00:08:39

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Rural News Wrap for 10 April 2026

4/10/2026
A round-up of the week's rural news. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:04:45

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FULL SHOW: Country Life for 3 April 2026

4/3/2026
This week Country Life meets some pioneer egg producers and a farmer growing and harvesting an ancient grain. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. In this episode: With thanks to: Wairarapa Grains CollectiveBennik's EggsMake 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:00:50:31

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Poultry 'pioneers': Three generations of Bennik's behind an egg empire

4/3/2026
From moving to cage-free farming in the 90's, becoming SPCA animal welfare accredited and launching a liquid egg processing plant - the Bennik family has never been afraid to try something new and ruffle a few feathers. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. You can learn more about Bennik's Eggs, here, or the NZ Egg Group, here. 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:00:20:38

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Four farmers, one forgotten grain and the pasta-maker bringing it to the plate

4/3/2026
Amid a growing eat local movement, durum wheat is being grown and turned into pasta by an artisan food producer and a group of Wairarapa farmers. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. Find out more about the Wairarapa Grains Collective here Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:15:27

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Rural News Wrap for 3 April 202

4/3/2026
A round-up of the week's rural news. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:06:40

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Answering the roar - hunting venison for people in need

4/3/2026
For a few years now Lisa Daunton has been stocking food banks in Te Tai Rāwhiti with wild venison which she harvests with fellow hunters. With thanks to Lisa Daunton For more on the story, click here To find out more about Kaiwhakangau and Kai Connect, click here Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Duration:00:05:53