3rd August 2026 // Rural News

Ngāi Tahu Farming selected to operate iconic Molesworth Station Ravensdown returns to profit on back of strong fertiliser demand National wild goat hunting competition kicks off   WANT TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW LIVE (11am-1pm NZST) ON THE GO? Download CountryWide Connect mobile app to stream the show via Apple Car Play or Android Auto. Or try the voice command ‘Play CountryWide Connect’ on Amazon Alexa or Google Home.   Apple: https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881 Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&hl=en_NZ   Ngāi Tahu Farming selected to operate iconic Molesworth Station Ngāi Tahu Farming has been selected as the preferred operator to negotiate a concession to manage Molesworth Station — New Zealand's largest farm and one of its most iconic high country properties. The one-hundred-and-eighty-thousand hectare Marlborough and North Canterbury station was previously run as a cattle farm by state-owned Pāmu. DOC deputy director-general Henry Weston says Ngāi Tahu Farming's proven experience farming at scale in the high country, combined with strong financial foundations, made it the strongest applicant from five bidders. Chief executive Ben Bateman says the iwi approaches the stewardship of Rangitahi Molesworth with humility, committing to maintaining public access, biodiversity and ecological stewardship. Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst welcomed the decision, saying DOC ran a robust and fair process and Ngāi Tahu Farming has the experience and balance sheet to farm through tough years.   Ravensdown returns to profit on back of strong fertiliser demand Ravensdown has swung back to profitability, posting a net profit before tax and rebate of fifty-point-one million dollars on revenue of nine-hundred-and-seventeen million — a twenty percent increase on the previous year. The turnaround follows several years of subdued fertiliser demand, with improving returns — particularly for sheep and beef farmers — driving an eight percent lift in sales volumes to more than one million tonnes. Shareholders will receive a fifteen dollar per tonne rebate on qualifying tonnes. Chief executive Garry Diack says the result reflects improved efficiency and the value of long-standing supplier relationships in navigating continued global supply chain volatility driven by the Middle East conflict and Ukraine war. Ravensdown's EcoPond methane reduction technology is now operating on more than two-hundred farms nationwide.   National wild goat hunting competition kicks off Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager is encouraging Kiwis to get behind this year's National Wild Goat Hunting Competition, which has removed more than thirty-three-thousand wild goats from New Zealand's landscapes since its launch in 2023. Meager has already done his part, bagging three goat tails on an early morning hunt in Wellington's back blocks before a parliamentary sitting day. Entrants submit goat tails at official entry locations for a chance to win more than sixty-thousand dollars in prizes. Last year eight-hundred-and-sixty-three people took part, including more than two-hundred hunters under eighteen. The competition runs through to November twenty-sixth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.