All Episodes
CountryWide CONNECT — 571 episodes
27th July 2026 // Rural News
Yvette Westerman & Brooke Garland - Strong buyer demand in Taupō facing shortage of properties
Wendy Paul - New intake of next gen sheep and beef seeking farm trainers
Phil Journeaux - Dairy season starting strong but margins tightening
Brad Siebert - Ingredients all there for good avocado season
Leo Pekar - Tracking cow bite behaviour for real-time pasture management
Heather Sorensen - Rural Women looking ahead to next 100 years
Andy Mcfarlane - ‘Our greatest danger is complacency’: New face on AgriZeroNZ board
24th July 2026 // Rural News
Nick Beeby - ‘We are not a threat’: US launch global lamb safeguard investigation
Sport Panel - Blues Matatū, Spurs in town & the best Dad bod
Lawrence Meredith - 'Going gangbusters': EU ambassador departs on export high
Gregg and Dansy Coppell - Post donations ‘beautiful show’ of community
Loren Aberhart - Farmlands announced as NPC partner
Kylie Dorr - Supreme Winner at NZI Rural Women Business Awards named
Duncan Ross - Rare alignment of returns and buyers opens window for farm vendors
23rd July 2026 // Rural News
Jo Hendy - ‘Pace problem, not direction’: Emissions coming down but not fast enough
Pete McKnight - Getting lucerne spraying calls right to set up spring success
Farmer Panel - What's the best investment you've made on farm this year?
Bryce McKenzie - Groundswell founder reacts to EU flip on split gas approach
Hilton Collier - What scrapping Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements will mean
Cameron Bagrie - Economist: Jump in inflation 'not unexpected'
Kaylene Bennett - Invisible mental load a significant issue for rural women
Shane Ratima - What does shearing sector need to support training struggles?
Dr Liz Shackleton - Emerging leaders stepping up at Animal and Plant Health conference
Scott Lawson - Organics Aotearoa’s five election requests
Matt Hoyle - Are composting barns becoming the gold standard for wintering?
Cristina Alvarado - Rise in GDT as buyers come through following drops
Dr Scott Champion - FAR’s five year strategy following challenging arable seasons
22nd July 2026 // Rural News
Kate Acland - B+LNZ reacts to EU’s flip on approach to split gas
Kimberly Crewther - Are we overambitious and under resourced for FTA goals?
Mark Hooper - RMA bills: how can assurances be made that water quality is protected?
Rachel Brooking - RMA bills: ‘Late stage lobbying an appalling way to make laws’
Grant McCallum - ‘We didn’t agree on much’: environmental select committee report on rma bills
Tony Trewinnard - Weekly weather: Settled North Island compared to South
Chris Dillon - Will things get worse for arable before they get better?
George White and Stephanie Downer - Export doors opening for award-winning whey gin distillery
21st July 2026 // Rural News
Kelly Higgins - Feeder calf values climbing as dairy beef demand reshapes market
Colin Aitchison - Will drones become supply lifelines for cut off communities?
Brendan Telfer - Emergency sports panel: Brendan Telfer wraps Fox and Spain wins
Becks Smith - New yard-ready app delivering instant body condition scoring data
Tom Chisholm - Treating wearables as a tool, not a system
20th July 2026 // Rural News
Mark Patterson - ‘Minister for wool’ returns from promoting trip to India
Mitch Tucker & Gail Radburnd - Sweet spot of pest control versus profit for new hunting app
Nicole McKee - ‘He didn’t know’: Paul Henry u-turns on firearm policy
Dan Cummings - BNZ's First Farm Funding Boost eases pressure for new owners
Fiona MacMillan - How strong are NZ’s bird flu biosecurity response systems?
James Meager - Sika named as special interest herd, so what’s next?
Greg McSkimming - Dairy-beef or beef on dairy: Where the product marketability lies
Simon Bousfield - What’s driving buyers to East Coast properties?
David Chin - Revolutionary mating plans seeing profits within a year
Trevor McIntyre - Adverse event declaration unlocks support for flood-hit Kaikoura farmers
Cristina Alvarado - Global milk supply drives Fonterra forecast down 50 cents
Kim Robinson - Emissions cuts come at cost to milk and profit without tools, trial finds
Hugh Devereux-Mack - Firearm owners question training funding with return to volunteers
Hannah Ritchie - Study finds feed accounts for three quarters of pork's carbon footprint
Danielle Adsett - ‘Every apple will be sold this season’: Strong forecast for apple exports
Fenton Hazelwood - Telling the truth about a hard hort season
Andrew Hoggard - Response to case of bird flu confirmed in Wellington
Chris Stephens - Dry period nutrition: the decisions that will shape next season
Next chapter in Precision Farming // Chloe Walker, Precision Farming
15th July 2026 // Rural News
Hayley Fitchett & Chris Jenkins - What can Southland do now to prepare for super wet season?
Cameron Bagrie - Economist on Fonterra price drop, inflation & plumbing politicians
Libby Price - Across the ditch: Rice under threat, bird flu & water buybacks
Paul McGill - What's behind Pāmu's 'Hilton Hotel' methane measuring facility?
Chris Gourley - ‘Only certainty is volatility’: Fuel price update
Mark Hooper - Feds survey finds last year's total ag lending dropped $1.4 Billion
14th July 2026 // Rural News
Sudesh Kissun - What’s making rural media headlines?
Karl Dean - What are the impacts of Fonterra’s falling milk price forecast?
Dr Amelia Almeida - What new science says about previous emissions models
Roy Sloan - ‘Biggest thing for NZ hunting, ever’: First special interest herd named
Tony Trewinnard - August forecast outlook
Richard Kyte - DAIRY Panel: What's behind Thriving Southland's success?
Livia Esterhazy - What’s been learnt from crop protection programme A Lighter Touch?
Matt Doocey - Funding for AI triaging mental telehealth support
Gretchen Parkes - What was surprising in Rural Direction’s salary survey
Simon Saunders - ‘We can’t sit on our laurels’: LambEx shows contrast in Aus goals
Simon Cameron - Who pays for West Coast pest control?
Dermott Malley - Blueberry sector can’t afford new pests without tools to deal with them
Dave Burridge - Where to from here? Wool volumes well below forecasts
Tom Soutter - No margin calls a ‘massive sell factor’ for new milk pricing tool
Amber & Fraser Carpenter - 'Why did we not do this sooner?': Dairy monitoring a growing success
9th July 2026 // Rural News
Sport Panel: Experimental AB’s and Warriors winning ugly
Karen Williams - Nationwide deluge highlighting water storage priorities
Mark Dillon - NZ Ploughing team’s gear shipping mess raises 2029 hosting concerns
Tracy Brown - Plan Change 1: DairyNZ push to avoid farm plan duplication
Shane McManaway - ‘Put your hand up and ask for help – it is there’: Wairarapa weather hits again
Matt Campbell - Up-and-coming spreading business wins Young Achiever’s Award
Tony Grindle - Northland market update: Record sales on per hectare basis
Jenny Cameron - Where do export opportunities lie in China’s wine consumption?
8th July 2026 // Rural News
Laura Koot - The ag programme advancing young women’s careers
Nicola Grigg - ‘Leading the way’: Insights into drop in farm acc claims
7th June 2026 // Rural News
Tony Trewinnard - Settled weather to follow this system
Dr Holly Blue - ‘Don’t panic, remain vigilant’: Strangles outbreak update
Mark Hooper - Feds name Greens fert phase out policy ‘completely mad’
Steve Abel - Greens respond to backlash over fert phase out policy
Blair Drysdale - 'It was a hell of a rigamarole': Changes simplify hemp growing
Phill Hunt - Where there's support for weather event recovery
Brook van Velden - ‘Let’s take death seriously’: Health and safety bill passes
6th July 2026 // Rural News
Todd McClay - Trade Minister: India PM visit to NZ ‘very positive sign’
Louisa Kraitzic - ‘You’ve got to front up’: Comms expert on Rural Women response to bill
Jeremy Bryant - New satellite tech means less manual pasture management
Andrew Hoggard - Minister addresses alarm over blueberry import standards
Alan Thomson - Can dairy beef prove industry can collaborate?
Sam McIvor - Consultation open on OSPRI levy increases
Thomas Slee - Back to reality for 2026 FMG Young Farmer of the Year winner
Bex Green - ‘Plenty of difficult conversations’: Feds names their advocate of the year
Tony Leggett - Ag expert talks ANZCO buying Greenlea and Devold's $30 merino contracts
Cameron Luxton - Still no time frame for rule changes for large ag vehicles
Campbell Parker - ‘We are an outlier’: Developing enduring dairy beef systems
Willy McSkimming - App for shearing management changing the game
Quilae Wong - A real gnarly issue': Opportunity on gene tech bill
Tony and Michelle Roberts - Deer farmers named national sustainable farming ambassadors
Brad Olsen - B+LNZ On Farm Inflation report
Full Show - 3 July 2026
Craig Smith - ‘True collaboration’: Devold locks in four-year merino supplier contracts
Kate Truffit - Growers feeling good as potato yields recover
Alistair King - How badly squeezed are viticulture margins becoming?
Farmer Panel - What would you make a townie do on farm for a day?
Tony Trewinnard - ‘Hope is not a strategy’: El Niño officially declared
Phil & Robin Mangos - Tauranga venue on market ‘has it all’
Marijke Dunselman - NZ agritourism 'incomparable' on the world stage
Dino Kudrass - Evolution range launches single-use recyclable shells and silicone liners
Craig Wiggins - Lean on a Gate: Training your people to look after their people
Nick Beeby - Back-to-back months of record returns: what is the meat industry getting right?
James Meager - Herds of Special Interest changes stamped into law
Hugh Jackson - Outgoing FMG Young Farmer of the Year reflects on year with title
Libby Price - Aus reallows controversial weedkiller Paraquat
Chris Gourley - What has to happen to get diesel below two dollars
Jack Gibbs - Possum free farming on Banks Peninsula
Tony Trewinnard - What's in store for July's weather?
Nicole McKee - New ACT Party deputy leader keeping arms act in sight
Alistair Rayne - DAIRY Country Panel
Mark Patterson - Where does ‘Minister for Wool’ see the industry going?
30th June 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Richard Dawkins - Feds challenge perception of conservation act stewardship land
Te Radar - 'Fabric of rural NZ': Finals week for FMG Young Farmer 2026
Shane McManaway - ‘Facing the consequences’: Wairarapa recovery reveals bigger issues
George Wilson - Secondhand machinery hitting new highs at clearing sales
Cameron Hussey - Why it pays to order your maize seed early
Ginny Dodunski - Research pressure on as severe weather could up liver fluke
Karen Williams - 'Inconsistent' to deny water significant infrastructure status
Kate Scott - What HortNZ's regional reps will mean for growers
29th June 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Rex Newman - Industry award celebrates supporting ag in schools
Sandra Faulkner - New Feds Vice President bringing ‘team player’ mindset
Sarah Donaldson - Push to get aerial footage of Wairarapa damage
Penny Hoogerbrug - ‘Magnificent animal’: Record-breaking $220,000 bull
Sport panel: Cricket, rugby and football chances
26th June 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Mike Casey - 'Get it in now': Slam-dunk solar policy
Trudy O'Halloran & Dan Peach - NZ crops threatened by proposed blueberry import rules
Justin Ruygrok - Northern Young Farmer up for grand final round two
Stu Neal - Winter grazing programme three years in the making
Steve Abel - ‘Find me a farm without debt’: Green tax policy explained
Colin Hurst - ‘Business as usual’ for new National Feds head
Andrew Olsen - Urgency to fix Ag vehicle weight rules before season starts
Duncan Humm & Toby Williams - Farmer Panel: New Feds leader, levies, and conferences
Ray Smith - Director on MPI being a regulator, investor and partner
Matt Lythe - Primary Industry Awards: Technology and Innovation winners
Danielle Hovmand - First farm Kiwisaver advocate named Primary Industries Emerging Leader
Rosalind Crickett - Breaking down the feed market for incoming dairy season
Neil Bateup - ‘It’s a team effort’: Rural support stalwart wins Champion Award
Dino Kudrass - Skellerup’s square milking liners outselling round
25th June 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Jo Luxton - Labour ag policy ‘shouldn’t be a surprise’ when released
Will Burrett - Pāmu building relationships between dairy and beef
Luke Fisher - Reinventing Farmlands to better support farmers
Ben Dooley - Repairing rural governance relationships in Southland
Simon Cameron - Feds encouraging own conservation bill research
24th June 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Dr William Rolleston - Is stalled gene tech bill leaving NZ behind?
Jim Van Der Poel - Dairy stalwart standing on shoulders of those who went before
Kate Acland - Rural Woman of the Year 2026
Tama Potaka - ‘It’s a misnomer and it’s bogus’: Potaka responds to bill backlash
FULL SHOW - 23rd June 2026
Tony Trewinnard - High pressure system to round out June
Owen Copinga - Dairy beef vision for Holstein Friesian NZ
Mike Casey - Preparing for election to go either way
Hugh Campbell - Analysis: Where rural votes are being targeted
23rd June 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Richard Capie - Is conservation bill ‘flogging off’ farmland?
Rebekah Cain - BNZ and Pamu model opens existing native forest earning
Todd McClay - ‘Hard for farming and costly’: Government looking at Waikato PC1
DAIRY Country Panel with Anne Lee and Adam Williamson
Ryan Luckman - App to fight drench resistance about to hit stores
22nd June 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Lisa Futschek - Seafood NZ reacts to fisheries bill shelving
Craig Carr - Kiwis at Cereals UK find similar sector challenges
Andrew Hoggard - Matter of when bird flu arrives, not if
Colin Hurst - ‘Keen to cement our wins’: Feds Vice President bid for presidency
FULL SHOW - 22nd June 2026
Professor Jo Lane - Med students going rural
Cam Clayton - Finding competitor’s weaknesses: Waikato Young Farmer
19th June 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Scott Lawson - Organics sector on HSNO: Productivity must come with precision
Dino Kudrass - What a century of Skellerup engineering looks like on farm
Fiona Calvert - Hill's Lab expands forage protein testing
Dr Fernando Torres-Vélez - Hazardous chemical approvals getting faster
Matt Watson - ‘It’s woken us up’: ‘Horrible' fisheries bill shelved
FULL SHOW - 19th June 2026
Tony Bouskill - ‘Literally down to the wire’: Golden Pliers and Silver Spades winner
Daniel Eb - Opportunity Party on why their land tax policy will balance out
Ryan Cosgrove - Wool in schools test run a success
Hamish Marr - ‘Almost fell over’: Former trade envoy nominated for communication award
18th June 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Hugh Devereux-Mack - Nearly one in four have errors in firearms records
Dr John Roche - What are Science for Farmers working on?
Dan Gaddum - Merger forms Australasia’s largest independent forestry management company
Cristina Alvarado - ‘Not as bad as it could have been’: NZX on GDT
FULL SHOW - 18th June 2026
Nigel Woodhead & Tim Gorton - Genetic engineering: Political football or scientific debate?
Tony Rasmussen - Rural real estate: What's happening in the Hawke's Bay
17th June 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Libby Price - Wobbly market for rest of year as Aus hits China beef quota
Jaiden Drought - Will autonomous tractors like Clarkson’s take off here?
Philip & Jenny Leith - Native Trees on Farms Champions humbled to be recognised
Nic Lees - What confident banks will mean for red meat industry
Mark Tavendale - Why succession conversations are changing
Angus Street - Kathmandu to partner with Zentera Wool Company
FULL SHOW - 17th June 2026
Tony Trewinnard - What’s behind the warm winter weather?
16th June 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Shelley Houston - Over 80 brands looking to work with NZ kiwifruit leather startup
Anne Lee - What's in CountryWide Winter 2026
Nigel Smellie - Taking the time to get tech right on farm
Amy Honeywell - Opening student’s eyes to ag with Ōpuke Innovation Hub
Dean McHardy - Tangihau Angus buys $168,000 bull
Gary Brady - ‘Attitude is everything’: Pāmu is looking for their 2027 apprentices
Edwin Laver - Knowing a little about a lot for FMG Young Farmer Final
FULL SHOW - 16th June 2026
15th June 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Mike Butterick - What rural catchment funding will mean for farmers
Tom Hooper - New wool-derived products factory gets $8 mil in government support
David Chin - Dairy herd reproductive rates hit new high
Jack Jordan - Fourth Timbersports World Champs win for Kiwi
Nathan Guy - Forecasted 96% increase of sheep and beef farm profit for 25/26 season
Chris Gourley - How will peace deal affect NZ's fuel supply?
Lindy Nelson - How can technology help reduce on farm risk?
Mike Green - What $400k raised will mean for Rural Support Trust
FULL SHOW - 15th June 2026
Lawrence Meredith - Are we getting the EU and NZ trade narrative wrong?
Leighton Roberts - Taking the complexity of investing off farmer’s hands
Simon Butler - What needs to happen to get peak milk higher, and earlier?
Corrigan Sowman - 'Stick to your knitting': What LIC is hearing from farmers
Tanya Houghton - Rural mental health support programme announced
Todd McClay - The trade deals being eyed up around the world
12th June 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Richard Lindroos & Graeme Austin - 'Exceeding all metrics': The Fieldays effect
Mark Patterson - Returning wool to a billion dollar business
Winston Peters - Peters at Fieldays: ‘I’ve milked my fair share of cows’
FULL SHOW - 12th June 2026
Kate Scott - ‘Still work to be done’: Hort NZ on hazardous chemicals bill
Mike Manning - Focus is on supplying fert, regardless of price
Tim Deane - Why Norsewear paying double for their wool is 'good news'
11th June 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Brad Olsen - 'Encouraging' that NZ's trade profile is maturing
Mark Leslie - Pāmu on wearable LIFT programme launch
Andrew Hoggard - ‘Let’s be leaders’: ACT’s split gas policy
Rt Hon Christopher Luxon - 'I think we can do better': PM reacts to 6% export growth
Chris Hipkins - ‘No difference in what we believe in’: Labour on farming community
Duncan Ross - Rural real estate market in 'buoyant' times
Stephen Guerin - How PGW has grown over 175 years
FULL SHOW - 11th June 2026
Tim Ewing-Jarvie - Preventing market shock with insights into ag value chain
Austin Heffernan & Liam Kampshof - Sensehub by MSD and Bovonic join forces to drive dairy innovation
10th June 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Cheyne Gillooly - Young Farmers to support rural wellbeing with government backing
Charles Russell - ‘Takes a village’: Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective win Ahuwhenua Trophy
Penny Ford - BNZ to support first farm buyers with funding boost
Andrew Mockford - What IrrigationNZ is looking for from the next government
Mike Casey - Getting NZ farmers good at making NZ-made energy
Shane Jones - NZ First 'keen' on cowshed solar, not houses
Darren Stenning - 'No Drums, No Drama' at Fieldays
FULL SHOW - 10th June 2026
9th June 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Tony Trewinnard - Sou'Wester but settled for next fortnight
Nicky Halley & Laura Christensen - Making Herd Health data accessible from the start
Tama Potaka - National promises doubled QEII funding if elected
Mark Cameron - Why ACT MP Mark Cameron is not seeking re-election
Good news for grain: Gladfield Malt backing NZ grown
Anne Lee - DAIRY Country Panel
Libby Price - Across the ditch: What's wrong with Aus dairy prices?
Wendy Paul - 'Talent pipeline': Applications for hands-on agri degree open
FULL SHOW - 9th June 2026
Fenton Hazelwood - Will the HSNO and ACVM bills deliver for growers?
Kylah Morrison - UK agritech companies here to explore market, not push product
8th June 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Craig Young - Giving consumers choice in rural connectivity services
Mia Ryan - Rural dating app arrives from across the ditch
Richard Harman - Who is skating on thin ice with Fonterra document email?
Wayne Langford - What are the Feds looking for from the next government?
FULL SHOW - 8th June 2026
Lloyd Cartwright - Why the GDT has moved their HQ to Singapore
Sam McIvor - Is enough being done to combat remaining TB herds?
David Reesby - One month until FMG Young Farmer Grand Final
Mark Leslie - Pāmu reintroduces PKE following decade-long ban
FULL SHOW - 5th June 2026
Christopher Luxon - Promoting NZ grown grains at home and abroad
Professor Grant Edwards - Lincoln Uni Vice Chancellor reappointed for 5 more years
Duncan Humm & Chris Lewis - 'Needs to knuckle down': Farmers on government implementing changes
Olivia Weatherburn - A decade of Beef + Lamb's Generation Next
Richard Lindroos - Fieldays Preview: A slice of NZ
Snow Williams - Encouraging land prices for new red kiwifruit variety
4th June 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Mark Storey - Price spikes expected for upcoming season
Dr Katrina Roberts - Teat sealing developer awarded NZ Order of Merit
Dr Nicky Stanley-Clarke - New mental health survey for rural women in NZ
FULL SHOW - 4th June 2026
Jochen Speer - Why are more women using chainsaws?
Ted Ford - King’s Service Medal awarded for services to dairy
Katie Nimon - $50,000 for Hawkes Bay growers to look into McCain's factory takeover
3rd June 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Cameron Bagrie - Budget breakdown: Why is it being called a broccoli budget?
Richard Kells - The only remaining wool broker selling by auction in Napier
Andrew Hoggard - New TB plan cuts testing burden for farmers
Dr Helen Beattie - World first ethics code released for virtual fencing
Tony Trewinnard - Forecast for Fieldays at Mystery Creek
Nathan Guy - How the Special Trade Envoy is connecting industry to government
Greg Mirams - New facial recognition technology for cattle parasites
2nd June 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Tim McCready - Indian delegation at Fieldays following FTA
Shane McManaway - Applications open today for Growing Future Farmers
Zoe Reece - Changes to hemp restrictions opening doors for innovation
FULL SHOW - 2nd June 2026
Nicole McKee - What are the changes coming to firearm licensing?
Dave Worsley & Brian Ashby - This week in sport
Melinda Turner - How to get dry off diet right for next season success
Hugh Jackson & George Dodson - Farmer Panel: North and South
Tim Groser - Where are NZ’s emissions placed in global trade?
29th May 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Bryce Win - How flood recovery is shaping Tasman Young Farmer’s finals bid
FULL SHOW - 29th May 2026
Pete Savage - 'Capital flows where confidence goes': BNZ on India FTA for AG
Paul Kane - Dairy insights: Don't take your eye off the ball
Jacinta FitzGerald - Where opportunities lie in fibre sector
Sarah Clark - How agronomy is bringing in the next gen of women
Steve Abel - What would a National/Green coalition look like?
Mark Patterson - Who is the party for rural New Zealand?
28th May 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Alana Crampton - What you need to know: End of season settlements
Mike Butterick - From the farm to the Beehive
Damien O'Connor - ‘Just dumb’ - Labour on Ministry of Environment disestablishment
Nicola Grigg - Ministry of the Environment to be disestablished
FULL SHOW - 28th May 2026
Tony Leggett - Are NZ and Australian farmers facing the same future?
John Roche - Science, farming and NZ’s funding reset
Craig Hattle - New leadership for NZ Farm Assurance
Libby Price - 15 years on from Australia’s live export ban
27th May 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Miles Anderson - Will the Waitaki boundary move?
James Meager - Govt expands hunting access in Hawke's Bay
Keri Johnston - Why the Agri-Women’s Development Trust is closing after 16 years
Andrew Hoggard - Has the coalition provided for farmers?
FULL SHOW - 27th May 2026
Tony Trewinnard - Winter weather patterns tighten as farmers monitor rain, frosts and feed conditions
James Beatie - Moving Day highlights both opportunity and pressure inside modern dairy farming
Julia Sekula - Red meat sector ramps up science-based push on nutrition and consumer trust
Lawrence Meredith - Can NZ become Europe’s trusted food partner? — Europe looks increasingly focused on secure food and clean-tech relationships
Anthea Yule - New Hawke’s Bay Federated Farmers President steps into role as region rebuilds confidence
26th May 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Wayne Scott - Could New Zealand run short of aggregate for roads, housing and water projects?
Roger Barton - Farmer-to-farmer conversations are changing attitudes around safety
Richard Harman - Stuart Nash’s arrival sparks questions around Shane Jones and the future of NZ First
FULL SHOW - 26th May 2026
Matt Blomfield - Kiwi agritech is using AI to transform global orchards
Checking in: The state of rural health // Craig "Wiggy" Wiggins, Lean on a Gate, Talk to a Mate
Deer sector looks for momentum // Evan Potter, Chair, NZ Deer Farmer Association
Wilding Pines are adapting faster than we thought // Dr Thomas Carlin, Invasion Ecologist, Bioeconomy Science Institute
Westgold Named NZ’s Best Butter // Alex Turnbull, CEO, Westland Milk Products
Strong meat prices — So why are co-op shares falling? // Tony Leggett, Rural Commentator
Could Trump Put NZ lamb in the crosshairs? // Hon Todd McClay, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Trade and Investment
14th May 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
FULL SHOW - 14th May 2026
Council reform: What happens to regional New Zealand? // Kate Taylor, Central Hawke’s Bay district councillor and rural journalist
What the Aussie budget means for farmers // Libby Price, Australian Rural Correspondent
Wrapping this week's Waikato Pasture Summit event // Robbie Ferris, Pasture Summit Chairperson and Director, GM of Piriaka Farms
Entrants to Fieldays 2026 Innovation Awards revealed // Steve Chappell, Programme Manager, New Zealand National Fieldays Society
Farmers Panel: Butter, bureaucracy and BBQ smoke // Tim Gorton & Craig Hickman
Managing at scale: NZ’s top dairy manager // Lauren McConnachie, NZDIA Farm Manager of The Year Winner
Labour’s rural policy reset and council reform // Jo Luxton, Labour Spokesperson for Agriculture, Biosecurity, Customs
13th May 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
FULL SHOW - 13th May 2026
El Niño locks in: Dry east risk builds // Tony Trewinnard, Blue Skies Weather
Practical innovation driving smarter farming // Tony Dodunski, 2026 Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award Recipient
Ensuring 'drama-free' calving: Ecolab highlights essentials for new season success // Murray Hart, Business Development Manager, Animal Health, Ecolab
Win for EPA as glyphosate court challenge dropped // Dr Shaun Presow, Acting Manager of Hazardous Substances Applications, Environmental Protection Authority
Honouring the families who built rural New Zealand // Edward Fitzgerald, Chair of the New Zealand Century Farms & Station Awards
Rural NZ faces major council shake-up // Mark Patterson, Minister for Rural Communities
12th May 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Pāmu pushes native credits into the mainstream // Robyn Haugh, Chief Executive, True Nature
Dairy markets hold firm after latest GDT // Cristina Alvarado, NZX, Head of Dairy Insights
Backing farmers for biodiversity gains // Colin Hurst, Federated Farmers Vice President and Freshwater Spokesperson
FULL SHOW - 12th May 2026
New Zealand catching up to international standards in nature credit markets // Geoff Ross, Carbonfields & Lake Hawea Station
Climate Risk Assessment flags agriculture as major risk by 2050 // Jo Hendy, Chief Executive, Climate Change Commission
Can nature markets deliver for farmers? // Andrew Hoggard, Associate Minister for the Environment
Fishing bill backlash: Has Shane Jones gone too far? // Matt Watson, Host, ITM Fishing Show
NZ’s Share Farmers of the Year: Inside the success story // Scott & Stacey Mackereth, Share Farmer of the Year, 2026 NZDIA
Coalition still favoured — But cracks and tensions growing // Richard Harman, Political Commentator
11th May 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
FULL SHOW - 11th May 2026
Otago's new Feds President on water, rates and redrawing the map // Anna Gillespie, President, Federated Farmers Otago
Rural GP funding: Bringing more care closer to home // Matt Doocey, Minister for Mental Health and Associate Minister of Health
8th May 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Finalists gather for NZ Dairy Industry Awards // Maegan Legg, Chair, NZ Dairy Industry Awards
Crop tool opens diversification options for CHB growers // Libby Tosswill, Economic Growth Manager, Central Hawkes Bay District Council
$3 billion urea plant planned for Southland // Allan Blood, Executive Director, Victorian Hydrogen
Honouring a career growing rural education // Kerry Allen, 2026 Bledisloe Medalist
Kaimanawa Horses: From wild herds to new homes // Kelly Wilson, Founding Board Member, Kaimanawa Legacy Foundation
Record dairy prices: Why elite genetics are booming // Luke Gilbert, Dairy Genetics Specialist, Carrfields
Imported Butter: Why Isn’t NZ Butter on NZ Tables? // Mark Simpson, General Manager of Sales, Dairyworks
Inside dairy’s top honour: The 2026 Dairy Woman of the Year // Hinehou Timutimu, Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year 2026
Premium push: NZ wool into global carpet supply // John McWhirter, CEO, Wools of NZ
Local Govt reform: Feds push for fewer, stronger councils // Sandra Faulkner, Local Government Spokesperson, Federated Farmers
7th May 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Canterbury’s future: Reform, regional power and super councils // Deon Swiggs, Chair, Environment Canterbury
How NZ’s farming practices come into import welfare debate // Farmer Panel North V South
From measurement to action: AI changing grazing // Jeremy Bryant, Founder and CTO of Aimer Farming
‘It’s a tricky one’: No stance yet from Opportunity Party on import welfare debate // Daniel Eb, Deputy Leader, The Opportunity Party
‘The rubber needs to hit the road’: Councils have three months to plan reform // Simon Watts, Minister of Local Government, Climate Change, Revenue and Auckland
‘We’re just proud to be here’: Repost hits 1 million posts repurposed // Dansy & Greg Coppell, Co-Founders, Repost
FULL SHOW - 6th May 2026
Haast to Jackson Bay: Who pays to keep the Coast open? // Helen Lash, Mayor, Westland District Council
6th May 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Fair for Farmers or trade risk? Greens on import standards debate // Steve Abel, Agriculture Spokesperson, Green Party
Dairy Holdings CEO retiring after 25 years // Colin Glass, Outgoing CEO, Dairy Holdings
Have farmers relaxed biosecurity measures? // Campbell Parker, CEO, Dairy NZ
‘Get back out there’: Fish & Game's message to duck shooters this season // Corina Jordan, CEO, Fish and Game
May outlook: is winter weather already here? // Tony Trewinnard, Blue Skies Weather
Beef + Lamb riding industry high ahead of Out The Gate 2026 // Alan Thomson, CEO, Beef + Lamb NZ
ACT introduces school bus ‘open seat rule’ election policy // Andrew Hoggard, Minister for Biosecurity and Food Safety, Associate Minister of Agriculture
Gaps between regulations and on farm practice highlighted in Nuffield research // Jon Pemberton, 2025 Nuffield Scholar & Environment Southland Councillor
Duck shooting opening weekend: Were pressure points managed? // James Meager
5th May 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
FULL SHOW - 5th May 2026
What we learned — And where to from here // Karen Williams & John Sunkel
Methane progress: What’s coming and when? // Wayne McNee, CEO, Agrizero
On-Farm reality: Emissions change in action // Paul McGill, Head of Innovation and Extension, Pāmu
Unlocking value: Turning green crops into protein // Maury Leyland-Penno, Co-Founder, Leaft Foods
Bigger scale, different pressures: Australia’s approach // Richard Heath, CEO, Zero Net Emissions Agriculture CRC, Australia
Zespri’s sustainability push: What it means on farm // Carolyn Mortland, Executive Officer Sustainability, Zespri
Methane Solutions: Two approaches, one challenge // George Reeves & Colin South
Agritech NZ: What it does and why it matters // Brendan O'Connell, CEO, Agritech NZ
Dry start, frost risks and winter outlook // Tony Trewinnard, Blue Skies Weather
Dairy policy, water and growth // John Faulkner, Regional councillor for North Canterbury
Wool, budgets and confidence at the farm gate // North V South Farmers Panel
What the India trade deal means for regions // Grant McCallum
Wool levy debate returns as sector seeks sustainable funding // Ross McIsaac, Sector Manager, Wool Impact
How agritourism’s surge is diversifying farm incomes // Marijke Dunselman, Founder, Agritourism New Zealand
Rising rates and debt raises questions over council spending // Jordan Williams, Executive Director & Co-founder, Taxpayers' Union
How South Waikato’s Pasture Summit is getting farmer’s boots on the ground // Robbie Ferris, Director, Pasture Summit Waikato
Cutting ag research risks long-term farm productivity and growth // Derrick Moot, Professor of Agricultural Sciences, Lincoln University
Why Walt Cavendish has rejoined Federated Farmers two weeks after leaving // Walt Cavendish, Rural Candidate Waikato
Federated Farmer’s climate change conference no-show, and how they’re supporting the arable sector // Colin Hurst, Vice President, Federated Farmers
Update on Australian droughts and impact on beef export // Libby Price, Australian Rural Commentator
FULL SHOW - 4th May 2026
4th May 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Building pathways to farm ownership // Will Burrett
Farm Remuneration Report // Louise Gibson
Managing Foot and Mouth Disease // Andrew Hoggard
Full Show - 30th April 2026
On-Farm Reality: Emissions Change in Action // Paul McGill
Unlocking Value: Turning Green Crops into Protein // Maury Leyland-Penno
30th April 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Bigger Scale, Different Pressures: Australia’s Approach // Richard Heath
Methane Solutions: Two Approaches, One Challenge // George Reeves & Colin South
Zespri’s Sustainability Push: What It Means on Farm // Carolyn Mortland
Agritech NZ: What It Does and Why It Matters // Brendan O'Connell
Economics of Climate Change // Cameron Bagrie
Progress Across New Zealand’s Methane Tools and Technologies // Naomi Parker, Executive Director - Ag Emissions Centre
29th April 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Full Show - 29th April 2026
Dairy awards highlight next generation talent // Enda Hawe
India deal could open premium honey market for NZ // Karin Kos, CEO of Apiculture NZ
Fuel outlook: What farmers should budget for winter // Chris Gourley, Fern Energy CEO
Rural wellbeing roadshow heads through Canterbury // Mike Green, Rural Support Trust
28th April 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Full Show - 28th April 2026
Warriors, rugby and weekend winners // Dave Worsley, Sports Commentator
Strong farms need strong advisers // Jo Finer, CEO, Institute of Rural Professionals
Christchurch’s big night as Te Kaha opens // Sam MacDonald, Christchurch City Council
From feds to politics in Southland // Jason Herrick, Southland NZ First Candidate
More weather pressure, bigger farm support response // Vanessa Winning, Director, On Farm Support Unit, MPI
24th April 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
FULL SHOW - 24th April 2026
Deer farming looking for stronger margins // Matt Carroll, BakerAg Manawatu
Rural broadband still a national test // Craig Young, CEO, TUANZ
Deer velvet breakthrough as sector eyes better returns // Rhys Griffiths, CEO, Deer Industry NZ
When weather hits, are councils moving fast enough? // Blair "Blocka" Drysdale & Mark Warren, North V South Farmers Panel
High country farmers gain more flexibility under lease reforms // Mike Butterick, Minister of Land Information and Associate Minister of Agriculture
Could coffee become Northland’s next big crop? // Peter Shepherd, Chairman, New Zealand Coffee Producers Association
Southland weighs $3 billion fertiliser mega project // Rob Scott, Southland Mayor
Rural schools say funding only part of the answer // Andrew King, President, NZ Rural Schools Leadership Association
Arable sector under pressure as costs rise and land shifts to dairy // Hamish Marr, Arable & Dairy Farmer, Methven
Labour backs India deal as questions remain // Damien O'Connor, Labour Party spokesperson for Trade, Defence, Land Information and Regional Development
Transition cows: Small changes, big gains // Simon Butler, Nutrition Extension Specialist, Seales Winslow
23rd April 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
FULL SHOW - 23rd April 2026
From the Farm Gate: What farmers are facing right now // Dan Billing - B+LNZ Farmer Council Chair & Matt Holden - Hawkes Bay Farmer
More diversity, more resilience in NZ pastures // Danny Donaghy - Professor of Dairy Production Systems and joint Deputy Head of School/Director of Strategy, Massey University
NZ farming nears major turning point, says MPI // Jarred Mair - Chief Insights Officer, MPI
New pathways emerging for young farmers to get in // Sarah How - Co-Founder, Landify
JK on mental fitness: Looking after rural New Zealand // Sir John Kirwan - New Zealand Mental Health Advocate & Former All Black
Smart tech or hype? What farmers should adopt now // Mark Mortimer - Technology and Data Analysis Manager, Centre Plus Merino Group
Kiwi app tackles grazing and drench decisions in real time // Ryan Luckman - DAGI
B+LNZ pushes practical innovation to lift farm performance // Dan Brier - GM Farming Excellence B+LNZ
22nd April 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
FULL SHOW - 22nd April 2026
Cold snap coming? Winter weather risks ahead // Tony Trewinnard - Blue Skies Weather
In the rat curve, you want to be well ahead of the anus // Richard Reynolds - West Coast Dairy Farmer
Bryce McKenzie challenges ACT to back farmers on climate and costs // Bryce McKenzie - Founder, Groundswell
CPI numbers put interest rate outlook back in focus // Mike Jones - Chief Economist, BNZ
Zespri eyes India opportunity after another strong year // Jason Te Brake - CEO, Zespri
Fair for Farmers faces scrutiny over funders and agenda // Rainer Kravets - Co-Executive Director, Animal Policy International
FULL SHOW - 21st April 2026
21st April 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
New legume species // Dr Lucy Bell - PhD graduate and researcher, Lincoln University
The drench resistance wake-up call // Ginny Dodunski - Programme Manager, WormWise
Best practices for transitioning livestock onto winter crops // Jason Leslie, Technical Expert – Animal Health & Nutrition, PGG Wrightson
A castle built on sand: NPS for highly productive soils // Phil Journeaux - Agricultural Economist
Reducing the footprint: Insights from the Farm Waste Workshops // Trish Rankin - Taranaki Dairy Farmer
AgriTech Unleashed: Accelerating regional innovation // Brendan O'Connell - CEO, AgriTech NZ
Federated Farmers ducking from debate on GE stance says Future Farmers // Daniel Judd - Future Farmers
Taranaki's frustration with the wetlands rules & what the changes mean // Mark Hooper - Federated Farmers
Farming with Walt: Homegrown advocacy // Walt Cavendish - Farming With Walt
Was 'Fair for Farmers' anti-farming activists using Kiwi farmers as foot soldiers? // Ani O'Brien - Political Commentator
FULL SHOW - 20th April 2026
20th April 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Big weekend ahead: Warriors test, Super Rugby clashes and Supercars in CHCH // Dave Worsley & Brian (Gash) Ashby - Sports Commentators
Ag sector debates GE and animal welfare trade-offs // Duncan Humm, Deer Farmer & Co-Founder, NZ Farmers Facebook Page
Durum wheat win signals new opportunities for NZ arable sector // Ivan Lawrie - General Manager Business Operations, Foundation for Arable Research (FAR)
Farm Environment Awards finals set after strong regional season // Sarah Harris - General Manager, NZ Farm Environment Trust
DairyNZ sets priorities after strong turnout at SIDE // Tracy Brown - Chair, DairyNZ
Silver Fern Farms profit up, but Gulf disruption tests outlook // Dan Boulton - CEO, Silver Fern Farms
Luxon under pressure as FTA politics and polls tighten // Richard Harman - Political Commentator
17th April 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
FULL SHOW - 17th April 2026
Rearing at scale // Rebecca Furzeland - Calf Rearer, Canterbury
Govt eases wetland stock rules, shifts to farm plans // Andrew Hoggard - Minister for Biosecurity and Food Safety and the Associate Minister of Agriculture (Animal Welfare, Skills) and for the Environment
Safer Farms pushes practical steps to cut on-farm risk // Lindy Nelson - Chair, Safer Farms
Machinery sales reveal true farm spending confidence // Jaiden Drought - Owner, Farm Trader & President, Tractor & Machinery Association (TAMA)
Wood sector pushes action on energy and trade ahead of election // Mark Ross - CEO, Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association (WPMA)
Abel pushes inquiry as Greens challenge ag direction // Steve Abel - Agriculture Spokesperson, Green Party
Randell targets energy, water in NZ First political move // Taine Randell - NZ First Candidate & Former All Black Captain
Fonterra’s pivot: Capital return signals execution phase // Dr Nic Lees - Senior Lecturer, Department of Agribusiness, Lincoln University
Who is investing in NZ Horticulture? // Andrew Watters - CEO, MyFarm
16th April 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
FULL SHOW - 16th April 2026
FULL SHOW - 15th April 2026
The innovative family business growing NZ agriculture // Craig Carr, Carrfields
Otago Regional Supreme Winners: 2026 Ballance Farm Environment Awards // Luke & Nicole Kane, West Otago
NZ-India Free Trade Agreement is sealed and waiting... // Hon. Todd McClay, Minister of Agriculture & Trade
Facial eczema research: There maybe more to spores // Bevan Weir, Bioeconomy Science Institute
UK-NZ collaborate on agritech innovation // Jasper van Halder, Agnition
Wool's innovative new approach with Kathmandu // Tom Hooper, Wool Source
The complexities of local government reform // Rob Scott, Southland Mayor
Celebrating the evolution of CountryWide // Tony Leggett, former owner of CountryWide
Social Media to portray real life // George Dodson, Canterbury
Mission critical: Meat & milk desperately needed for those in need // Zellara Holden, Meet the Need
Fuel, fert and pressure: What farmers are facing right now // Dean Rabbage, Southland & Chris Lewis, Te Awamutu