The Country

The Act Leader and Acting Prime Minister, “Deputy Dave”, joins us in the studio. We talk about the 2025 FMG Young Farmer of the Year, Hugh Jackson, and today’s OCR. Plus, how’s he getting on with Winston Peters?  Will Act and NZ First cannibalise National’s rural vote? And how is Mark Cameron?  

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Federated Farmers is calling on Kiwis to “get in behind” flood-affected farming families at the top of the South Island, as recovery efforts ramp up and the scale of the damage becomes clearer. President Wayne Langford visited the area on Monday, July 7. He says the destruction in parts of Nelson and Tasman is extensive, with some farms completely unrecognisable.

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We find our “Guy in Shanghai” back in his hometown of Roxburgh today, where he’s escaping the oppressively hot 40-degree summer heat. Today we discuss the seasonal variations on the Chinese economy.

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The chief executive of DairyNZ discusses the Foot and Mouth (FMD) Operational Agreement, improvements in winter grazing practices, and the successful recent Farmers Forums.

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A Wairarapa farmer and philanthropist talks about saving the Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Cameron Bagrie, Farmer Tom Martin, Sirma Karapeeva, Jo Luxton, and John McOviney.

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We ask an independent economist what he thinks the Reserve Bank will do ahead of tomorrow's OCR announcement. We also discuss Trump's tariffs, the Alliance Group capital raise and how we can fund National Super. 

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Our UK farming correspondent comments on the Groundswell Ag Festival, his royal connections and whether Wimbledon will break the summer drought after the driest spring on record.

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The chief executive of the Meat Industry Association looks back on another strong month for NZ red meat exports, where prices are up, volumes are down, the farmers are making money, but the meat processors aren't.

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Labour's agriculture spokeswoman offers some informed commentary on funding early childhood education, but will she ever come out with any meaningful agriculture policy? 

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Waitomo sheep and beef farmer (and Steelfort chief executive) who reflects on some great prices for weaner calves and store lambs.  

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Jamie Mackay talks to Hugh Jackson, Antonia Watson, Stuart Nash, and Phil Duncan.

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We yarn with the 2025 FMG Young Farmer of the Year - a Waikato sheep and beef farmer who finished third in the 2023 Grand Final when representing Otago/Southland. 

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ANZ’s chief executive ponders whether farmers are still paying too high a margin for their rural borrowing, the OCR announcement Wednesday, the prospect of a capital gains/wealth tax, and the age of eligibility (and means testing) for national super. 

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A former Labour Minister of Forestry has his say on carbon farming and offers a solution for transitioning unproductive hill country to pines and then to native regeneration (for carbon credits). We also discuss his rumoured candidacy for NZ First and whether he’s been shoulder-tapped by Winston.

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We ask Monday’s resident weather expert if we are officially in the chilly depths of winter.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Dame Lisa Carrington, Craig Piggott, Christopher Luxon, and Taine Randell 

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Jamie Mackay talks to Taine Randell, Te Radar, Chris Brandolino, Lawrence Field, and Chris Russell. 

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We talk carbon credits, forestry, farming and footy with a former All Blacks captain who still has nightmares about the French rugby team!

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