The Country

The Country

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, Hokonui and Gold Sport.

Episodes

October 1, 2025 36 mins

Hamish McKay talks to Harriet Bremner-Pinckney, Mark Ferguson, Chris Hipkins, Deanne Parkes, and Chris Russell.

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The Zanda McDonald Award applications are open, so we catch up with 2023 winner Harriet Bremner-Pinckney, who is a new judge this year, alongside current judge Mark Ferguson.

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The Leader of the Opposition on the bipartisan offer from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Plus, what are Labour’s plans for the farming sector?

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A South Waikato dairy farmer and Farmstrong champion tells us what she’s learned from her mental health struggles. She also had advice for busy rural mums “in the trenches”.

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Our Australian correspondent on wool and beef prices on the rise, and could shearing be an Olympic sport?

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No matter how long you have been out working on the land, you can always learn ways to work smarter, save money, and time on the farm. In this week’s episode brought to you by Beef + Lamb New Zealand, powered by The Country, Hamish McKay is joined by Farmer Matthew Tayler, and Head of Science at Dairy NZ Nico Lyons who explain the art of Feed Budgeting, and how literally watching grass grow can have a positive effect on your ...

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Hamish McKay talks to Christopher Luxon, Bill Mouat, and Hunter McGregor.

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The Prime Minister discusses the government’s energy package, the overhaul of the earthquake-prone building system, lower interest rates, and why he thinks farmers are more positive. Plus, he mourns the loss of broadcaster and popular psychologist Nigel Latta, who died at 58, following a battle with cancer.

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We catch up with the author of Gold Under the Mānuka, which is about his family’s inspirational story on Mangaorapa Station in southern Hawke’s Bay.

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Our Shanghai-based red meat expert is on day one of The Golden Week, an eight-day holiday in China where everyone goes travelling. He comments on whether this holiday is good news for New Zealand’s red meat and how changes in restaurant culture and a struggling economy are affecting our exports.

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Hamish McKay talks to Jack Fagan, Greg Gent, Scott Graham, and Rebecca Greaves.

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This shearing gun is back from Europe and Australia, and is looking forward to the new shearing and woolhandling competition season kicking off in New Zealand.

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A farmer and a foundation member of Fonterra discusses the upcoming farmer vote for the co-op's $4.22 billion sale of Mainland to Lactalis. Plus, what questions farmers have been asking Fonterra about the deal at the co-operative’s road shows.

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Award-winning Sydney-based science and agricultural teacher on why he’s bringing a team of 39 students to New Zealand.

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We catch up with an award-winning rural journalist from Pongaroa, who takes a break from docking to chat with The Country.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Phil Duncan, David Seymour, Shane McManaway, Blair McLean, and Jim Hopkins.

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Wet and windy, cold and dry, and warm nor-westers. It's rinse and repeat for the weather.

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The Act Party leader and Deputy Prime Minister has his say on Ecan, Paris and Palestine.

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We catch up with a Wairarapa farmer who’s just been inducted into the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame.

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Our Blenheim-based viticulture correspondent talks about the grape glut.

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