Latest rural news
'Strongest performers': Rural areas leading NZ's economic recovery
Rural economies were buoyed by better prices for dairy, meat and horticulture exports.
'Treating us like sheep': Why Napier fisherman plans to skirt around beach barriers
Steve Dean says he’ll be driving the long way along the beach to his usual fishing spot.
'Surpassed a significant milestone': Zespri hits $5b in kiwifruit sales
Zespri sold a record 220.9 million trays, up from 164.2 million in 2023-24.
'Whānau at the forefront': Tributes for father and hard-working shearer killed in crash
Father-of-three "cut his teeth in the shearing industry" and had achieved home ownership.
'Seems crazy': Bakery using Aussie broker to buy butter
Kaye's Bakery in Invercargill often uses butter from Australia to make its products.
Brazil bird flu outbreak halts $4b poultry exports to key markets
Shipments have been suspended to top destinations like China and South Korea.
5000ha solar and wind project near Whanganui one of country's biggest
Meridian Energy is planning up to 45 wind turbines and 100ha of solar panels.
Family's plea after devastating horse accident on rural road
Call for drivers to slow down when passing horses as rider recovers from injuries.
'Feather in our cap': Norsewear wins Defence Force sock deal
'It’s security for everyone here when you pick up a contract like that.'
The Country: What's Fonterra up to in Shanghai?
Christopher Luxon, Richard Allen, Anna Nelson, Lucas Fuess, and James Denholm.
'We had a cracker': Stud farms enjoy 100% bull sale rate
Gold Creek averages $11,675, Kerrah $12,099 to kick-start bull sales season.
Dairy prices end NZ season on a flat note, will they stay high in 2026?
The Global Dairy Trade auction ends flat as prices support Fonterra's $10/kg forecast.
Prices dip at final GDT auction for the season
This is the final GDT auction for the season, which officially finishes on May 31.
From 'golden goose' to wastewater site: Farm plan sparks debate
The Pain Farm in Martinborough is the proposed site for a wastewater disposal facility.
How a Kiwi mother and daughter are transforming hygiene with wool
Woolchemy won the Idea Raw Material Achievement Award for neweFibre.
Opinion: When farmers say ‘trust us’, should we believe them?
OPINION: They once lauded the Tank process. Now it's here and real, suddenly they hate it.
Northland divers start New Zealand-first elimination work on invasive seaweed
'Time is of the essence in the fight against caulerpa.'
Gisborne farm life inspires uniquely humorous book about dead sheep
'Super fun': A statistician turns her shock into a quirky book about dead sheep.
Sweet success story for NZ hives on World Bee Day
Winter is coming, but there’s a surprising bright spot in the world of pollinators.
NZ's red meat renaissance - Rabobank
Optimism is a welcome guest at the New Zealand farming table.
The Country: Ducks - friend or foe?
Richard McIntyre, Mark de Lautour, Farmer Tom Martin, Kate Acland, and Corina Jordan.
Oyster farms to close after sewage overflows, Watercare fix years away
Mahurangi Oysters owner Jim Aitken says 10 operators in the area are affected.
Opinion: Duck debate needs more balance and better context
Opinion: Dr Jacqueline Rowarth's recent op-ed on mallards only tells part of the story.
MP defends against backlash from conservationist over Govt’s changes to Wildlife Act
Shane Jones says protection of wildlife should not disrupt development.
UK, EU unveil major deals on defence, exports at landmark summit
A new 12-year deal allows European fishing crews access to British waters.
Central Otago Young Grower title goes to Lydia Goodman
Raised on a beef and dairy farm in England, Lydia Goodman swapped cows for cherries.
The Country: What's in the Budget for farmers, David Seymour?
David Seymour, Sandra Faulkner, Sandra Matthews, Matt Chisholm, and Phil Duncan.
Urgent care closer to home for rural and remote communities
'Geography shouldn’t be a barrier to getting the healthcare you need.'
Liam Dann: ‘Perfect storm’ for flat whites - what surging food prices mean for the economy
Butter, cheese, coffee...do rising food prices signal the return of high inflation?
'In the winter, the roads can be a bit scary': The life of a rural midwife
Midwife Sheryl Wright is on call 24/7 with just 10 days off a year.
'A real taste of winter': Sub-zero temps, bluebird days for south, rain in north clears
MetService says the rest of the week should be relatively settled.
'Worst it's been': How cafes are adjusting to soaring butter prices
'Butter-wise, we haven't passed the buck on to the consumer yet.'
'Real progress': Whanganui River project thrives
The project aims to improve the biodiversity, water quality and ecosystem health.