Country Life: New book explores rural New Zealand through 100 objects

Source: Radio New Zealand Stand-up comedians Te Radar and Ruth Spencer have compiled a list of all the things that make up life in the New Zealand countryside. Supplied Ever wondered about the origins of the ride-on mower or the humble pair of longjohns? Then Te Radar and Ruth Spencer have the book for you. … Read more

Country Life: First stage of Waimate Trail nears completion

Source: Radio New Zealand A section of the newly surfaced Waimate Trail through DoC land Supplied The first stage of the 67km Waimate Trail – Te Ara Waimatemate is nearing completion. It will pass through native forest, limestone rock formations, tussock tops, river flats and valleys. It’s hoped the shared-use trail will be a world-class … Read more

This calf club for ‘townies’ has been running for four decades

Source: Radio New Zealand This year, Janet Macky has eight children at her calf club. Ke-Xin Li For many rural children, spring means calf club time – a much loved tradition where children raise a young farm animal and show them off for ribbons and prizes. In the Waikato community of Pāterangi, Janet Macky’s calf … Read more

F1: Liam Lawson survives clash with team-mate to grab valuable points

Source: Radio New Zealand New Zealand F1 driver Liam Lawson. FLORENT GOODEN / PHOTOSPORT Liam Lawson showed some racing maturity and survived a clash with his team-mate to pick up valuable points at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil. Lawson finished seventh after starting in the same position, but avoided some carnage on the … Read more

Unlucky All Blacks wing Caleb Clarke to miss England test

Source: Radio New Zealand Caleb Clarke and Quinn Tupaea. www.photosport.nz Caleb Clarke’s frustrating run of injuries has continued with the All Blacks wing ruled out of this weekend’s test against England at Twickenham. The Blues star suffered a head knock in Sunday’s win over Scotland at Murrayfield and assistant coach Jason Holland confirmed on Monday … Read more

Te Pāti Māori expels Tākuta Ferris and Mariameno Kapa-Kingi

Source: Radio New Zealand Te Pāti Māori’s national council has voted to expel MPs Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Tākuta Ferris, after a period of internal conflict. The National Iwi Chairs Forum had been hopeful the party’s two factions could patch things up at a hui at a Wellington marae this week. That plan has been scuppered, … Read more

Medafe begins testing Estradot oestrogen patches

Source: Radio New Zealand Garo Phanie / AFP A group of women who have had ongoing issues with Estradot patches says they feel like they’ve been heard after Medsafe told them it was initiating independent testing. A number of women have reported problems with the oestrogen patches not adhering or working properly, which has caused … Read more

DOC asks Mackenzie country farmers to help spot ‘incredibly rare’ native kakī

Source: Radio New Zealand The native kakī or black stilt bird. Supplied / Department of Conservation The Department of Conservation (DOC) is on the lookout for one of the world’s most endangered wetland birds, and asking local farmers and landowners to help. The native kakī or black stilt birds mostly call Mackenzie Basin’s braided rivers … Read more

Farmlands profit shows increased confidence in rural sector

Source: Radio New Zealand 123rf Increased farmer confidence and spending has seen the country’s largest rural supply store, Farmlands, back in black. In its annual results released last week, Farmlands reported a profit after tax of $2.8 million for 2025. It comes after the co-operative reported a loss of $9.3m last year, with revenue down … Read more

Country Life: Country museum shines light on Eketāhuna’s Scandinavian past

Source: Radio New Zealand Some of Eketāhuna Museum’s volunteers (L-R) Bridget Ferguson, Ian Day, Jean O’Brien, Bruce Laurence, Chris Petersen and Rose-Marie McGhie RNZ/Sally Round The big work table in Eketāhuna’s former 1800s-era school is laden with curiosities from the past – an old pair of lace-up boots, opera glasses, a threadbare red coat, a … Read more

Country Life: Waikato farmer using genetics to ‘solve problems’

Source: Radio New Zealand Set on 800-hectares in the Waimai Valley, north of Raglan, four generations of the Reeves family have farmed this land. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life Alastair Reeves’ father taught him that farmers can use genetics to solve problems. The Waimai Valley farmer is carrying on the line of Romney sheep his … Read more

Country Life: LIC’s quest to breed low methane emitting bulls

Source: Radio New Zealand At 106 metres long and 30 metres wide and with room for up to 120 cows, the multi-million dollar build is the largest research facility of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Supplied At 106 metres long and 30 metres wide and with room for up to 120 cows, the Livestock … Read more

Fonterra CEO says Lactalis deal will allow it to grow

Source: Radio New Zealand 123rf / Supplied images The head of Fonterra says it has been difficult for its brands to compete in global markets after shareholders voted in support of the the sale of its major brands, including Mainland and Anchor, to French dairy giant Lactalis. More than 88 percent of the votes cast … Read more

Clutha district farmers plea for more help after devastating wind storm

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Katie Todd One week since a wind storm tore through the country’s south, some Clutha district farmers say the financial hit could be harsher than they originally feared. Suzie Roy said after a week without power – trying to hold her stock in with kilometres of boundary fencing flattened … Read more

Storms knocked out virtual farm fences

Source: Radio New Zealand Craig Piggott and the ‘smart cow’ halter supplied Technology company Halter has replaced around 30 tall transmission towers vital to its virtual farm fencing systems, after they were knocked down by last week’s storms. By Labour weekend, there were 70 South Island farms affected by disruptions to the virtual, fence-less systems … Read more

What will farmers spend their $200,000 each on if Fonterra sale goes through?

Source: Radio New Zealand Around 60 percent of shareholding farms could receive a windfall, if a Fonterra sale to a French dairy giant goes ahead. Supplied/ Greenpeace Retailers in rural New Zealand could be set for a boost if farmers vote on Thursday to go ahead with the sale of Fonterra’s consumer businesses to France’s … Read more

Sale of Fonterra’s consumer business expected to get shareholder approval

Source: Radio New Zealand Fonterra is looking to sell its consumer business to French dairy giant Lactalis. 123rf / Supplied images Fonterra shareholders asked to approve $4.22b sale of consumer brands business Mainland Group France’s Lactalis to take ownership of well-known brands Mainland, Anchor Farmer shareholders in line for tax-free bonus, pump billions into economy … Read more

Rawiri Waititi blames two ‘rogue’ MPs for turmoil within Te Pāti Māori

Source: Radio New Zealand Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi. RNZ / Mark Papalii Te Pāti Māori’s co-leader Rawiri Waititi is blaming two of his MPs for turmoil within the party, accusing them of going “rogue” and trying to roll the leadership. On Monday, party president John Tamihere called on Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Tākuta Ferris … Read more

Māori academic warns draft curriculum erases children’s rights to local histories

Source: Radio New Zealand Raupatu Hetaraka from Ngāti Kahu watching the kaihoe at Waitangi Day 2025. Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ A leading Māori academic says removing the requirement to teach Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories would be a step backwards – and a breach of children’s right to understand the country they live in. Margaret Mutu … Read more

Iwi leaders step in as Te Pāti Māori tensions escalate

Source: Radio New Zealand Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere. RNZ / MARK PAPALII Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere says the party’s leadership will “very shortly” consider whether to expel its MPs Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Tākuta Ferris. Iwi leaders will meet with Te Pāti Māori leadership at Parliament on Tuesday in an effort to … Read more

‘Greed, avarice, and entitlement’ – Te Pāti Māori president urges MPs to quit

Source: Radio New Zealand Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere has fired the latest salvo in an increasingly public fallout between the party leadership and two MPs. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere has told MPs Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Tākuta Ferris to “do the honourable thing” and quit Parliament, accusing the … Read more

Freshwater allocation system degrading water quality and shutting Māori out, court hears

Source: Radio New Zealand Members of the Wai Manawa Whenua coalition outside the High Court in Wellington. RNZ/Pokere Paewai A group of Māori landowners taking the government to court over freshwater rights allege the current system of water allocation is degrading water quality and shutting Māori out. Wai Manawa Whenua is seeking timely and effective … Read more

Pacific Championship rugby league: What you need to know about NZ Kiwis v Toa Samoa men’s final

Source: Radio New Zealand Samoa issue a cultural challenge to the Kiwis at Go Media Stadium. Brett Phibbs/www.photosport.nz Pacific Championship (men) – NZ Kiwi v Toa Samoa Kickoff: 6.05pm Sunday, 9 November CommBank Stadium, Sydney Live blog updates on RNZ History Toa Samoa have never beaten NZ Kiwis in six previous meetings. That said, they … Read more

Teenager charged after staff member injured at Youth Justice residence

Source: Radio New Zealand Korowai Manaaki Youth Justice residence. RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson A 15-year-old boy has been charged with assault with a weapon after a staff member was injured at a Youth Justice facility in Auckland. A police spokesperson said they were called to a residential facility on Kiwi Tamaki Road in Wiri … Read more

Farmers urged to install crush or rollover protection after quad bike death

Source: Radio New Zealand Crush protection on a quad bike. supplied ACC WorkSafe is urging farmers to install crush protection or a rollover guard on quad bikes following another death in the Far North. Emergency services were called to a rural property east of Broadwood, in North Hokianga, about 4pm on Thursday following a quad … Read more

Mt Algidus Station could be yours, if you have $50 million

Source: Radio New Zealand Mt Algidus Station. Sotheby’s / supplied One of the country’s most storied high-country stations is on the market. Offers of $50 million or more are being sought for Mt Algidus Station, a 22,120-hectare property in the Southern Alps. Author Mona Anderson lived on the property for 33 years, and detailed her … Read more

Country Life: Jemma Ostenfeld, a heritage seed collector with an eye on the future

Source: Radio New Zealand Jemma Ostenfeld RNZ/Sally Round Growing up gardening with her grandmother sowed the original seed for heritage seed collector and grower Jemma Ostenfeld. Originally from Australia’s Gold Coast, she’s been in New Zealand five years and after learning the ropes of seed collecting in Hawke’s Bay, she now collects and sows heritage … Read more