Latest rural news

'Tinder for cows' on The Country
Christopher Luxon, Craig Piggott, Anna Palairet, and Matthew Zonderop.

Why this young vet chose a rural life over city clinics
Holly Gardyne has no regrets about moving to a rural practice.

'Apprehensive': Fears as fresh deluge forecast for storm-hit south
Saturated ground in flood-affected Tasman 'just can't take anymore', says deputy mayor.

Foodstuff supermarkets face salad shortages as storm delivers 'logistical hit'
Spinach, mesclun and other salad greens are currently in limited supply.

Could a lab blunder replace 1080 poison and solve NZ’s rabbit plague?
A non-deadly alternative to 1080 is being developed which leaves pests sterile.

Historic homestead welcomes visitors after transformation
'I came here in December and I just fell in love.'

Warmer, wetter months ahead as tropical weather patterns impact NZ
'While cold snaps and frost will occur, they are expected to be less frequent than usual.'

NZ Super Fund-backed Kaingaroa Timberlands expands with Waikato land purchase
Kaingaroa Timberlands has bought 9200ha of forestry land in South Waikato.

'Hysterics': Pet dog Shiva swept into drains during flooding found safe 24 hours later
The pet dog was sucked into the drainage system during the weekend's heavy rain event.

Zespri teams up with Dame Lisa Carrington
Bay of Plenty-born Carrington calls Zespri role a great way to “connect back with home”.

Union warns against meat self-inspection plans
PSA says plans to privatise meat inspection service could risk food quality and safety.

Zespri ambassador Dame Lisa Carrington on The Country
Dame Lisa Carrington, Jane Smith, Brian Dineen, George Dodson, and Steve Wilkins.

Watch: 'Heartbreaking' – Noel Edmonds' $30m NZ estate flooded
The British TV star called the damage heartbreaking.

Fresh weather warnings issued for BoP
Up to 180mm of rain is expected in areas east of Whakatāne.

Young leaders step up to Federated Farmers board
Karl Dean and Richard Dawkins take over from Richard McIntyre and Toby Williams.

Food prices surge 4.4% as butter, eggs, and mince hit new highs
A 500g block of butter at Woolworths increased from $5.80 to $8.50.

Gin made by tiny distillery crowned world's best at global awards
Arrowtown Distillery also won an accolade.

Butter shock: 500g tub costs more than $18 in Auckland grocery store
Butter is at its highest price in two years, but this is quite possibly a new high.

‘Like drinking Coke from a fire hose’: Forest and Bird CEO on ‘sneaky’ Govt nature reforms
'I'm worried New Zealanders … might not have eyes on the things we're losing.'

Market close: Primary sector spark on hope as NZX down 3.6% in first half
The New Zealand share market continues to lag other markets.

A Kiwi shearer wins the race, but the Scots claim the prize
Toa Henderson faced his international test match shearing debut at Lochearnhead Shears.

The Country: How farmers, growers are faring after floods
Julian Raine, Grant McCallum, Mark Cameron, Blair McLean, and Phil Duncan.

Storm-battered regions brace for more severe weather
Storm-hit areas face more rain and gales as the clean-up continues.

'Benefits are amazing': Farmers bitten by the bokashi bug
'We get a lot of people come past here going ‘why is your place so green?’'

Last paper machine shuts at Kinleith, 150 jobs lost in major transition
The Kinleith mill's last paper machine has stopped, cutting about 150 jobs.

From the UK to Ngātīmoti: How Noel Edmonds spends his time in NZ
The TV host left stardom behind to run an 800-acre estate by the Motueka River.

Opinion: We are one bad rainstorm away from disaster
Slash and sediment from logging are major issues in steep hill forestry.

Golden 16-metre Buddhist statue set to ‘tower above’ horrified community
Auckland Council art 'loophole' horrifies neighbours as giant golden statue takes shape.

‘Big character’: Community mourns farmer killed by tree in South Island floods
Lines' family have been growing hops in the region for about 170 years.