Rural and farming news
Time to hand over the chains, says Hazlehurst
'The road has not always been easy,' says mayor of her 9 years in office.
100km/h wind gusts: Rain, thunderstorms forecast for Auckland, Northland
A strong wind watch has been issued for Northland from 3pm until 10pm.
From farm roots to vet career: New graduate's journey to change farmer perceptions
Sarah Fannin wants to work alongside farmers as an asset and an ally for animal health.
'It's pumping': How a rural mother's catering venture became a community staple
A restaurant-quality meal, without travelling to town – it's a thriving business model.
Waikato firewood injuries rack up $2.4m ACC bill
Nationally, 8374 firewood injury claims cost the country $19.9m in 2024.
Dairy farming
$15b boost to NZ economy: Fonterra sets milk price forecast and earnings
Fonterra forecasts a milk price range of $8-$11 per kg for the 2025/26 season.
A2 Milk silent on A$350m acquisition talk
Australian media report says the company will soon make a move for manufacturing assets.
Kiwi among winners of annual UK cheese rolling competition
It was the closest race of the day for Byron from New Zealand.
The Country Radio Show
The Country: Miles Hurrell on Fonterra's milk price
Miles Hurrell, Ian Proudfoot, Matt Black, Chris Russell, and Hamish McKay.
How Fonterra stole the show at Bakery China
Sponsored content: It’s difficult to steal the limelight at China’s biggest bakery show.
Dairy farming since 1985: Changes in herd sizes and practices transform industry
Sponsored content: DairyNZ releases 100th podcast, discussing dairy farming's evolution.
Premium
$15b boost to NZ economy: Fonterra sets milk price forecast and earnings
Fonterra forecasts a milk price range of $8-$11 per kg for the 2025/26 season.
Kiwi oat milk company lands major Australian supermarket deal
Founder says the expansion across the Tasman is a significant milestone.
A2 Milk silent on A$350m acquisition talk
Australian media report says the company will soon make a move for manufacturing assets.
Editorial: If freezing works close, rural towns die. We need a plan to save them
OPINION: The shape of traditional sheep and beef country has changed over the past decade.
An epic, wild 218 days: Meet the family of six who walked the length of NZ
An inspiring, astonishing adventure, including being mistaken for missing Marokopa family.
New witness in Kiwifruit scam: $10m went through student’s accounts in 6 months
Second witness in Herald investigation shows $10m of deposits and cash withdrawals.
Horticulture
Primary sector unimpressed by Govt's horticulture reforms
Those in the primary sector say the new targets don’t go far enough.
Could catnip wine be NZ's next big export?
'It’s a chance for New Zealand to do something fresh and unexpected - yet again.'
Sheep and beef
How innovative land use could boost NZ's agricultural productivity
Lincoln University releases new report, The Future Use of Land and How to Fund It.
Former Timaru meatworks site sold for undisclosed amount
Six hundred workers lost their jobs when the 139-year-old site closed last year.
Opinion: SOS - please Save Our Sheep before it’s too late
Opinion: Pines, pigs and poor government policy are making sheep an endangered species.
Technology
Could catnip wine be NZ's next big export?
'It’s a chance for New Zealand to do something fresh and unexpected - yet again.'
'Smells just like leather': Turning kiwifruit waste into opportunity
Leather alternative aims to find a use for 50,000 tonnes of rejected kiwifruit annually.
Rural business
Primary sector unimpressed by Govt's horticulture reforms
Those in the primary sector say the new targets don’t go far enough.
$15b boost to NZ economy: Fonterra sets milk price forecast and earnings
Fonterra forecasts a milk price range of $8-$11 per kg for the 2025/26 season.
KPMG report highlights new trade priorities for agriculture
KPMG's report urges NZ agriculture to seek new international markets.
Rural life
School farm course sees 120 students flock to agriculture
The farm has 30 sheep and includes a two-stand shearing shed.
'It's pumping': How a rural mother's catering venture became a community staple
A restaurant-quality meal, without travelling to town – it's a thriving business model.