Rural
Midday Report Essentials for Thursday 11th September 2025
In today's episode, the Christ Church Cathedral rebuild is back on after creating a new restoration plan and halving a massive funding shortfall; U.S. right-wing activist and commentator Charlie Kirk… Audio
Cyclone Gabrielle casting long shadow over HB: Orchardist
A Hawke's Bay orchardist says Cyclone Gabrielle still casts its long shadow over a region struggling with the country's sluggish economy. The Yummy Fruit Company chief executive Paul Paynter spoke to… Audio
Rural areas feeling the economic pinch
A business leader says rural communities are still keeping their wallets in their pockets despite faring better than urban centres through the economic downturn. Morrinsville Chamber of Commerce… Audio
NZ's biggest farmer looking for investors in their farm
New Zealand's biggest pastoral farmer is keen to coax the next generation into business with the chance to buy into the management of a rambling east coast property, that's actually owned by all of… Audio
Midday Rural News for Wednesday 10 September 2025
Midday Rural News with Stephanie Ockhuysen Audio
'Magic of Molesworth' tipped to lure hunters for Canada geese cull
The tough environment, weather conditions or proving their guile against the cunning geese all add to the occasion for hunters, the organiser says.
The confused and chaotic legacy of Tom Phillips
The Detail talks to reporter Tony Wall, who's covered the saga of the fugitive father and his children for nearly four years Audio
Most of town's main street listed for sale
Retirements have created an unusual chance to buy two bed-and-breakfasts, an accommodation park, historic pub and the oldest continuously operating general store in the country. Audio
The right note: An orchestra nurturing rural youth
Cellist Caitlin Morris says the Wairarapa Youth Orchestra nurtures a new generation of musicians and gives rural youth an important social outlet.
Building a farming legacy - a matriarch reflects
Rosie Cartright is a mother of four, and soon to be grandmother of eight, she's up at the crack of every dawn for milking. She talks about what it takes to build a farming legacy, working alongside…
A wild night in the bush with 'Jack-of-all-trails'
Fifteen-year-old Jack Karetai-Barrett took Country Life on a night walk through Whakatāne's kiwi country.
DIY crew nail it for pest-free Te Horo
A garage in Te Horo is buzzing to the sounds of backyard builders making traps to protect birds moving between the coast and the Tararua range.
Country Life: From the Archive - Rewilding at Punawai
After a lifetime of working to clear land, Chris Bolderston is rewilding parts of his sheep and beef farm in North Canterbury.
From the Archives Rewilding Panawai
Farmer retires land he says "shouldn't ever have animals on it". Audio
On the Farm - a wrap of conditions around the country
A wrap of conditions around the country. Audio
