FULL SHOW - 26th May 2026

CountryWide Connect – Show Summary Political commentator Richard Harman analysing Stuart Nash joining NZ First, succession speculation around Shane Jones and whether Christopher Luxon is adopting a tougher political style heading toward the next election. Safer Farms Regional Champion Roger Barton discusses quad bike safety, crush protection devices and changing attitudes toward on-farm safety. Wayne Scott from AQA and MinEx discusses industry concern around the Green Party’s proposed ban on extractive activity on conservation land and what it could mean for infrastructure and aggregate supply. Hawke’s Bay Federated Farmers President Anthea Yule discusses regional confidence, Cyclone Gabrielle recovery, succession and the challenges still facing sheep and beef farmers. EU Ambassador Lawrence Meredith joins us for a major discussion around Europe, trade, food security, methane politics, Ukraine and the EU–NZ Free Trade Agreement. BLNZ Inc dietitian Julia Sekula joins us to discuss the new trans-Tasman nutrition partnership with Meat & Livestock Australia and the push for stronger science-based messaging around red meat. Dairy Country Panel discusses Moving Day, progression through the dairy industry and whether the traditional dairy ladder is becoming harder to climb. Tony Trewinnard from BlueSkies Weather wraps the show with the latest national weather outlook as winter conditions tighten across the country.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.