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The Country

by NZME

Jamie Mackay delivers your daily fix of everything going on in NZ's biggest industry, along with a generous side-serve of news, sports and politics. The Country from Newstalk ZB, iHeartCountry NZ, Hokonui & iHeartRadio.

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Episodes

  1. The Country Full Show: Wednesday, September 16, 2026

    Jamie Mackay talks to Christopher Luxon, Anna Palairet, Cameron Bagrie and Susan O’Regan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  2. The Country 16/09/26: Christopher Luxon talks to Jamie Mackay

    The Prime Minister talks about breaking up the supermarket duopoly, and we discuss tax cuts, asset sales and whether we should means-test the Winter Energy Payment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  3. The Country 16/09/26: Anna Palairet talks to Jamie Mackay

    Fonterra’s chief operating officer reviews last night’s GDT Auction (-1.1%), and we ask if it’s a given that the forecast milk price will rise from $9.25 next week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  4. The Country 16/09/26: Cameron Bagrie talks to Jamie Mackay

    An independent economist says the world economy is in a tough place at the moment, with many of the indices negative, but it’s not all bad news. Plus, he previews the launch of the Parents’ Alliance next week in Wellington. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  5. The Country 16/09/26: Susan O’Regan talks to Jamie Mackay

    We catch up with the newly appointed chairwoman of the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust (for a term of three years). This follows the sad passing of the previous chairman, Alan Livingston, in April this year. QEII works in partnership with landowners to protect and enhance special areas of...

  6. Ballance Agri-Nutrients: Make it Count: Maximising Spring fertiliser applications with Jim Risk

    On this episode brought to you by Ballance Agri-Nutrients, Hamish McKay sits down with Jim Risk, Science Extension Nutrient Dynamics Specialist at Ballance Agri-Nutrients, to discuss how farmers can maximise the value of their spring fertiliser applications. They explore nutrient timing, soil...

  7. The Country Full Show: Tuesday, September 15, 2026

    Jamie Mackay talks to Shane Jones, Shane McManaway, Brad Siebert and Hunter McGregor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  8. The Country 15/09/26: Shane Jones talks to Jamie Mackay

    We caught up with Matua Shane, the Prince of the Provinces, on his spring fitness campaign as he walked to Parliament this morning, ahead of the arrival of the horseback hīkoi protest. We also discussed how farmers should vote and who should pay for the Aucklanders riding the CRL. See...

  9. The Country 15/09/26: Shane McManaway talks to Jamie Mackay

    This Wairarapa farmer is a primary industry leader and mentor. Today, look at the weather and El Niño, Growing Future Farmers, the Zanda Awards, and Feilding Ag High on Country Calendar. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  10. The Country 15/09/26: Brad Siebert talks to Jamie Mackay

    The chief executive of NZ Avocado discusses the production outlook, the opportunity to grow domestic demand and what increased consumption could mean for growers and regional communities, ahead of National Guacamole Day on Wednesday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  11. The Country 15/09/26: Hunter McGregor talks to Jamie Mackay

    Our Shanghai-based correspondent talks about the end of the summer heat, the state of the Chinese economy, solar power v coal-fired electricity, and compares the Shanghai Subway to Auckland's. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  12. The Country Full Show: Monday, September 14, 2026

    Jamie Mackay talks to Colin Hurst, David Seymour, Pita Alexander, Jeremy Rookes and Phil Duncan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  13. The Country 14/09/26: Colin Hurst talks to Jamie Mackay

    The president of Federated Farmers says profitability is the highest it’s been in a decade, but farmers worry whether the good times will hold. Federated Farmers’ latest Confidence Survey shows 72% of farmers are making a profit, with fewer than one in 20 making a loss. See…

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  14. The Country 14/09/26: David Seymour talks to Jamie Mackay

    The Deputy Prime Minister and Act leader comments on his just-released party List, whether he agrees with Winston on Paris and pricing Ag emissions, and why we need more nation-building infrastructure projects in this country. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  15. The Country 14/09/26: Pita Alexander talks to Jamie Mackay

    Christchurch-based farm accountant says farm expenses are coming up to meet incomes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  16. The Country 14/09/26: Jeremy Rookes talks to Jamie Mackay

    Our opinionated lifestyle correspondent comments on farming, footy and politics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  17. The Country 14/09/26: Phil Duncan talks to Jamie Mackay

    Monday’s resident weather expert says we can expect a settled start to the work week before a cold front moves up the country from Tuesday, bringing wet and windy weather. Snow is on the way for the South Island’s high country, with significant amounts possible on Thursday. See...

  18. Rabobank Best of The Country: September 12, 2026

    Jamie Mackay talks to Damien O'Connor, Jen Corkran, Winston Peters, and Jane Smith. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  19. The Country Full Show: Friday, September 11, 2026

    Jamie Mackay talks to Chris Brandolino, Richard Dawkins, George Dodson, Hugh Jackson, Todd Clark, and Barry Soper. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  20. The Country 11/09/26: Chris Brandolino talks to Jamie Mackay

    Earth Sciences New Zealand’s principal scientist and former New Yorker reflects on 9/11. He also discusses the Super El Niño setting record numbers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  21. The Country 11/09/26: Richard Dawkins talks to Jamie Mackay

    Federated Farmers’ spokesman for climate change and meat and wool gives Labour a pat on the back for finally agreeing not to campaign on pricing agricultural emissions after 25 years of wanting to do just that. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  22. The Country 11/09/26: George Dodson and Hugh Jackson talk to Jamie Mackay

    Today’s farmer panel discusses the dairy season in Canterbury, putting Halter collars on cows, social media, lambing in Te Akau, KiwiSaver for Young Farmers, and farmers needing to understand the three-leaf stage of grazing management. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  23. The Country 11/09/26: Todd Clark talks to Jamie Mackay

    Our US farming correspondent comments on farming in the fall, shares his memories of 9/11 and tells us whether he's embarrassed by his President's porkies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  24. The Country 11/09/26: Barry Soper talks to Jamie Mackay

    Our political correspondent reflects on 9/11 and a better week for the Nats. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  25. Dairy Insights with Fonterra: Nicola McCarthy

    Michelle Watt talks to Farm Source Regional Head for the Lower North Island Nicola McCarthy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  26. The Country Full Show: Thursday, September 10, 2026

    Jamie Mackay talks to Winston Peters, Jane Smith, Jamie Cunningham, Chris Russell and Matt Gray. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  27. The Country 10/09/26: Winston Peters talks to Jamie Mackay

    The NZ First leader and former Deputy PM comments on two big issues facing farming: the Paris Accord and the pricing of agricultural emissions. He also denies that his proposed nationalisation of BNZ is a “hair-brained” policy and reflects on 9/11, 25 years on. See omnystudio.com/listener for...

  28. The Country 10/09/26: Jane Smith talks to Jamie Mackay

    A North Otago farmer and award-winning environmentalist sings the praises of Open Country Dairy's Mark de Latour and his Paris Agreement stance. Plus, she says the Opportunity Party’s ag policy is a cross between Gloriavale and the Jetsons. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  29. The Country 10/09/26: Jamie Cunninghame talks to Jamie Mackay

    PGG Wrightson Livestock’s National Dairy Specialist talks about the rise and rise of dairy beef. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  30. The Country 10/09/26: Matt Gray talks to Jamie Mackay

    We talk about some great Isuzu deals with a true-blue Southlander. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  31. The Country 10/09/26: Chris Russell talks to Jamie Mackay

    Our Australian correspondent talks about bird flu, managing foxes, dingos and kangaroos, and a new beef bull sale record of nearly half a million dollars! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  32. The Country Full Show: Wednesday, September 9, 2026

    Jamie Mackay talks to Christopher Luxon, Mark de Lautour, Dan Boulton, and Tracy Brown. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  33. The Country 09/09/26: Christopher Luxon talks to Jamie Mackay

    The PM ponders Paris and whether we should be getting out of the Accord. We also discuss Labour’s ETS U-turn on pricing agricultural emissions, the Greens’ supermarket plans, and whether the Opportunity Party bubble has burst. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  34. The Country 09/09/26: Mark de Lautour talks to Jamie Mackay

    The chief executive of Open Country Dairy fires a shot across the bow of the Paris Accord, has a crack at the DIRA legislation, and looks at the prospects for the 26/27 season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  35. The Country 09/09/26: Dan Boulton talks to Jamie Mackay

    The chief executive of Silver Fern Farms takes an opposing view to Mark de Lautour when it comes to Paris. Plus, we discuss the prospects for red meat this season as margins tighten. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  36. The Country 09/09/26: Tracy Brown talks to Jamie Mackay

    The Chair of DairyNZ talks about calving in the Waikato, RMA reform, freshwater farm plans, and the 2027 Ahuwhenua Trophy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  37. The Country Full Show: Tuesday, September 8, 2026

    Jamie Mackay talks to Damien O'Connor, Robbie Jackson, Jen Corkran, Farmer Tom Martin, and Dr Jacqueline Rowarth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  38. The Country 08/09/26: Damien O'Connor talks to Jamie Mackay

    We congratulate Labour’s trade spokesman (and former Minister of Agriculture) for his party finally coming up with some agriculture policy, as leader Chris Hipkins says Labour will not campaign on pricing agricultural emissions. And just who is to blame for carbon farming gobbling up some of our...

  39. The Country 08/09/26: Robbie Jackson talks to Jamie Mackay

    A South Otago cattle farmer has found himself an overnight sensation as a social media influencer. How did this come about? And why did banging on a hammer in a workshop at 2 am change his life’s trajectory? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  40. The Country 08/09/26: Jen Corkran talks to Jamie Mackay

    RaboResearch's senior animal protein analyst reviews the bank's September Agribusiness Monthly Report, which shows commodity outlooks remain positive despite rising farm input costs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  41. The Country 08/09/26: Farmer Tom Martin talks to Jamie Mackay

    Our UK farming correspondent talks about the end of the drought, tough times for arable farmers, and the Conservatives looking to scrap the controversial farm inheritance tax. Plus, we ask if he’s seen Harry and Meghan in his travels. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  42. The Country 08/09/26: Dr Jacqueline Rowarth talks to Jamie Mackay

    One of New Zealand’s leading primary sector academics explains why nostalgia for past farming practises ignores modern realities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  43. The Country Full Show: Monday, September 7, 2026

    Jamie Mackay talks to Andrew Hoggard, Grant McCallum, Tom Young, Rowena Duncum, Craig Wiggins, and Phil Duncan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  44. The Country 07/09/26: Andrew Hoggard and Grant McCallum talk to Jamie Mackay

    Today’s farmer/politician panel features the Associate Minister of Agriculture and a “renowned Wellington property magnate” who’s also the MP for Northland. Today, we ponder the Q+A rural issues debate, taxes, net zero, the Paris Agreement, KiwiSaver for young farmers, and the Greens wanting to…

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  45. The Country 07/09/26: Tom Young talks to Jamie Mackay

    Affco’s national livestock manager looks at the prospects for lamb for the 26/27 season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  46. The Country 07/09/26: Rowena Duncum talks to Jamie Mackay

    We chat to The Country’s former producer, who is also an avid hunter, about a new survey which shows New Zealand’s pest problem has reached crisis point, with farmers spending more money and effort controlling pests - but still going backwards. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  47. The Country 07/09/26: Craig "Wiggy" Wiggins talks to Jamie Mackay

    Lean on a Gate, Talk to a Mate founder on Mid Canterbury’s arable farming challenges and the palm kernel versus local grain debate. Plus, spring weather conditions, crop prospects, and workplace resilience training for rural communities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  48. The Country 07/09/26: Phil Duncan talks to Jamie Mackay

    Monday’s resident weatherman on the impending Super El Niño. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  49. Being Farmstrong: Dana Carver

    Michelle Watt talks to Dana Carver about why investing in wellbeing is not just good for people, it's good for business. Drawing on her experience running a dairy farm alongside her husband Tony, Dana shares how creating the right support systems around people can build resilience, improve...

  50. Rabobank The Best of The Country: September 5, 2026

    Hamish McKay talks to Dr Elizabeth Heeg, Emma Poole and Tim Dangen, Michael Harvey, Megan Whitehead, and Alec Astle. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Jamie Mackay delivers your daily fix of everything going on in NZ's biggest industry, along with a generous side-serve of news, sports and politics. The Country from Newstalk ZB, iHeartCountry NZ, Hokonui & iHeartRadio.

HOSTED BY

NZME

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Country have?

The Country currently has 1000 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is The Country about?

Jamie Mackay delivers your daily fix of everything going on in NZ's biggest industry, along with a generous side-serve of news, sports and politics. The Country from Newstalk ZB, iHeartCountry NZ, Hokonui & iHeartRadio.

How often does The Country release new episodes?

The Country releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 1000 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.

Where can I listen to The Country?

You can listen to The Country on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts The Country?

The Country is created and hosted by NZME.
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