• FULL SHOW: Country Life for 30 May 2025
    May 30 2025

    This week Country Life moves with the cows on that traditional day of the farming calendar - Mooving Day. The team's also in northern Coromandel where locals have fought back to retain their local post office and finds out about diversification in Taranaki.

    You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

    In this episode:

    • 0:53- On the farm
    • 8:34- Venture Taranaki 'Branching Out' across the region
    • 15:46- Colville people ensure the mail gets through
    • 26:26- From the Archives: My old man said follow the cows

    With thanks to guests:

    • Michelle Bauer, Venture Taranaki
    • Peter Sander
    • Mike and Raewyn Sweeney, and Gary Coombe

    Make sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.

    Like what you hear? Tell us! Leave us a review on your favourite podcast app or join the RNZ Podcasts Facebook group and join the convo.

    Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nz

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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    51 mins
  • From the Archives: My old man said follow the cows
    May 30 2025

    June 1 is an important day in the farming calendar when dairy farmers relocate animals, typically from one farm to another, for the start of the new season. Back in 2009 producer Susan Murray stepped out with some farmers to find out what the day - now known as Mooving Day - involves.

    With thanks to:

    • Mike and Raewyn Sweeney, and Gary Coombe

    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

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    24 mins
  • Colville people ensure the mail gets through
    May 30 2025

    An hour's drive from the northern tip of Coromandel, you'll find a tiny post office run by volunteers. As rural postal services shrink, the small community here - population about 1500 - has taken things into its own hands to ensure the old motto "the mail must get through".

    You can find photos and read more about this episode on our webpage, here.

    With thanks to:

    • Peter Sander

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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    10 mins
  • Venture Taranaki 'Branching Out' across the region
    May 30 2025

    Michelle Bauer from Venture Taranaki's Branching Out programme shares exciting new opportunities for Taranaki landowners to diversify their farming and growing operations.

    You can learn more about Venture Taranaki's Branching Out, here.

    You can also find our previous interview with organic dairy farmer Janet Fleming who's taking part in the trial, here.

    With thanks to:

    • Michelle Bauer

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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    7 mins
  • On the Farm for 30 May 2025
    May 30 2025

    Country Life speaks to farmers and growers around NZ to find out about growing conditions over the past month.

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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    7 mins
  • FULL SHOW: Country Life for 23 May 2025
    May 23 2025

    This week Country Life visits a Taranaki conservationist on the family farm, learns more about a Canterbury family making cosy coffins from their farms wool to provide a comfortable send off, and we take a dive into the archives to learn about the importance of rural broadcasting as RNZ celebrates 100 years.

    You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

    In this episode:

    • 0:48 - Preserving native bush and local history on the 'perfect farm'
    • 8:41 - Rural News Wrap
    • 16:00 - Farming 101: The difference between a heading dog and a Huntaway
    • 17:26 - 100 years of rural broadcasting
    • 41:04 - Demand for caskets made from sheeps wool on the rise

    With thanks to guests:

    • Ross Dunlop
    • Chris Shaw, Rural Edge Contracting and Dog Training
    • Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision
    • Polly and Ross McGuckin, Exquisite Wools

    Make sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.

    Like what you hear? Tell us! Leave us a review on your favourite podcast app or join the RNZ Podcasts Facebook group and join the convo.

    Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nz

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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    51 mins
  • Demand for caskets made from sheeps wool on the rise
    May 23 2025

    As well as selling top quality wool to buyers around the world, Polly and Ross McGuckin's Yaldhurst Wools business also provides funeral homes with biodegradable caskets and ash urns made from New Zealand wool.

    You can find photos and read more about this episode on our webpage, here.

    You can learn more about Exquisite Wools, here.

    With thanks to:

    • Polly and Ross McGuckin

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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    9 mins
  • 100 years of rural broadcasting
    May 23 2025

    Informing, entertaining and connecting isolated farmers was a prime goal of the Radio Broadcasting Company, officially incorporated in August 1925 and a forerunner to RNZ. As RNZ celebrates the centenary, Country Life dips back into the archives to bring you some of the well-loved voices and shows from the rural team over the decades.

    You can find photos and read more about this episode on our webpage, here.

    With thanks to:

    • Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

    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

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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    23 mins