The Country

Jamie Mackay talks to Chris Brandolino, Dr Elizabeth Heeg, Nigel Woodhead, Tim Dangen, Chris Russell, and Barry Soper.

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Our Earth Sciences NZ Weather Guy offers his thoughts on 9/11, an All Blacks and Warriors forecast, and a cold start to spring.

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Some foresters are starting to regret rushing into carbon credit farming, and “a few bad actors are giving the sector a bad name”, according to the chief executive of the Forestry Owners Association.

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Today’s farmer panel features the 2017 and 2022 Young Farmers of the Year. We discuss calving and lambing, removing agriculture from the school curriculum, right tree - right place, and 9/11. 

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Our Australian correspondent talks 9/11, record beef prices, caged eggs still on the menu, tough times for arable farmers and the Wallabies v Pumas. 

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We talk politics with Newstalk ZB's senior political correspondent about 9/11, Tom Phillips, Tākuta Ferris, and Stuart Nash.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Wayne Langford, Winston Peters, Kevin Mortensen, and Dr David Burger.

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The president (and acting chief executive) of Federated Farmers on the issues of the farming day - calving, Paris, the All Blacks and Dr Mike Joy. 

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The NZ First leader, Foreign Minister, and former Deputy Prime Minister talks 9/11, the assassination of Charlie Kirk, KiwiSaver, National Super, ditching Paris, and Stuart Nash. 

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We head to Piopio for this month’s PGG Wrightson Livestock update, where the good news is that red meat prices are strong.

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DairyNZ's Chief Science and Innovation Officer says its plantain programme continues to deliver promising results, with new data confirming that modest levels of plantain in pastures reduce nitrogen leaching, offering farmers a practical, science-backed tool to meet environmental goals.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Nicola Willis, Jane Smith, Hamish Marr, and Blake Holgate.

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Filling in for the Prime Minister, we ask the Minister of Finance if that’s a role she wants permanently. We also discuss the “Buttergate” beat-up and whether the noble goal of doubling exports in the next decade is achievable.

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North Otago farmer and award-winning environmentalist talks about “the fascinating arms race” between David Seymour and Winston Peters to claim who thought of getting out of the Paris Agreement first. We also discuss things getting dry down on the farm and why Ingrid Smith is a great face for New Zealand farming.

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New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy, and Canterbury arable farmer, talks about staying in Paris and the challenging times for his industry.

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Kiwis are wasting less of their food than they were two years ago, with the estimated percentage of household food waste dropping to 10.9% from 12.2% in 2023, according to the 2025 Rabobank-KiwiHarvest Food Waste Survey. We chat with Rabobank’s Head of Sustainable Business Development to learn more about the survey.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Kate Acland, Maegen Blom, Doug Avery, Tom Martin, Stu Duncan, Stu Loe, and Phil Duncan.

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New Zealand red meat prices are at record levels and are forecast to remain strong throughout the coming year, despite the risk of headwinds on the horizon. This is according to the New Season Outlook for 2025–2026 from Beef + Lamb New Zealand. We catch up with the chairwoman to take a closer look at the report.

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The Zanda McDonald Panel encourages young leaders (21-35 years old) actively engaged in the ag sector to enter the annual transtasman awards.

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