Rural
Rural news update for 20 February 2026
The latest rural news with Gianina Schwanecke. Audio
AK Council using "natural" methods to guard sheep on farms
First Up's reporter Ke-xin Li meets guard Llamas at Auckland's Ambury Park. Audio
Morning Rural update for 19 February 2026
The latest rural news with Gianina Schwanecke. Audio
Midday Rural News for 18 February 2026
Rebounding dairy prices, a good start to the pipfruit harvest, and storm-damaged highways. For the latest from the RNZ Rural News team. Audio
Hurry up with new agricultural machine road rules, rural contractors say
New road rules for agricultural machinery are nowhere to be seen, and in the meantime contractors are still being stung with fines.
Midday Rural News for 17 February 2026
An update on the latest news from RNZ's rural team. Audio
Morning rural news
Fruit and veggie growers are taking stock of damage following recent storms. The morning's rural news with Gianina Schwanecke. Audio
Fences taken out, crop destroyed as floods hammer farmers
Farms along the banks of the Waipā River are most affected, an Ōtorohanga farmer says.
Archie the apprentice finds his farming feet
Archie, Micky and their dogs make up a good team on Te Wharua Station. The 17-year-old is apprenticed to the farm manager and champion shearer as part of Pāmu's year-old cadet scheme. Country Life …
Ruby jewels of Otago a Lunar New Year treat
A look at how Clyde Orchard's recent cherry and stonefruit harvest has gone and a tour of a new purpose built accommodation for its RSE workers.
Central Otago fruitgrower's cherry pick
A look at how Clyde Orchard's recent cherry and stonefruit harvest has gone and a tour of a new purpose built accommodation for its RSE workers. Audio
Growing a farmer - Archie's life as a Pamu apprentice
Archie and Mickey are a team. Archie's 17 and an apprentice to Mickey, champion shearer and Pamu farm manager on King Country sheep and beef farm Te Wharua. We head out mustering and Archie shows how… Audio
New study into growing crops under solar panels
Growing crops alongside solar farming is a new field for New Zealand, so researchers here have been analysing studies of these sorts of systems around the world. Dr Pieter-Willem Hendriks from the… Audio
Rural News Wrap
A look at what's been making headlines on the rural news desk this week. Audio
A yarn on the farm with beef farmer Craig Pickens
A little bit of luck as well as good management is behind our guest's entry into the roaring beef market. Craig Pickens has been farming in King Country since 2005 and his present farm, Waimiha, has… Audio
Country's largest medicinal cannabis grower set to harvest biggest crop yet
Puro New Zealand has been growing medicinal cannabis since 2018 and is working with iwi on plans to increase its production in Kaikōura.
Morning rural news
Wet weather could impact this year's potato crop though mixing solar farming with growing crops is proving a winner. The morning's rural news with Gianina Schwanecke. Audio
