Rural
Morning rural update for 11 February 2026
The latest rural news with Gianina Schwanecke. Audio
Midday Rural News for 10 February 2026
An update on the latest news from RNZ's rural team. Audio
New hop off the trial block
Along the banks of the Wangapeka River in Tasman, a new hop variety is being commercially released after more than a decade of research and development. Audio
Funding for emergency care meds 'lifesaving' - rural doctors
Rural doctors say new funding for emergency care drugs could be lifesaving for those in remote communities. Rebekah Doran from the Rural Health Network spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
Morning rural news
A Maori-owned agri-business could move manufacturing overseas and an update from Central Otago cherry growers as the harvest wraps up. The morning's rural news with Gianina Schwanecke. Audio
Midday Rural News for 9 February 2026
An update on the latest news from RNZ's rural team. Audio
Shaking it all up in a greenhouse trial
Researchers from the Bioeconomy Science Institute are investigating whether they can apply the vibrations of insects to disrupt pests in the greenhouse.
Flames, family and a pin-up queen
Mark Leishman goes on a personal journey to Burkes Pass, a place with deep family ties.
Take a punt on the Tuapeka Mouth Ferry
The southern hemisphere's only still operating river ferry celebrates 130 years.
A Little Route 66 on State Highway 8
Mark Leishman goes on a personal journey to Burkes Pass, a place with deep family ties. A fire in the 1990s destroyed most of the Burkes Pass Hotel run by his grandparents and has been replaced by a… Audio
Shaking it all up in a greenhouse trial
Researchers from the Bioeconomy Science Institute are investigating whether they can apply the vibrations of insects to disrupt pests in the greenhouse. Our Changing World's Claire Concannon heads… Audio
130 years: Take a punt on the Tuapeka Mouth Ferry
The southern hemisphere's only still operational river ferry celebrates 130 years. Audio
Country Life Friday 6 February 2026
Now it's time for Country Life and the team is by a river mouth in Otago learning about an unusual way to cross the water. They're also in a greenhouse in Canterbury and feeling the Americana vibe at… Audio
Rural news wrap
A wrap of what's being making headlines on the rural news desk this week Audio
Could a rural equivalent of Tinder attract doctors
Could the rural equivalent of tinder targetted at health professionals help attract doctors to remote areas and keep them there. The boss of one health organisation thinks so. Audio
Midday Rural News for Wednesday 4th february 2026
An update on the latest news from RNZ's rural team. Audio
In aftermath of east coast flooding, locals turn to each other
Weeks after the January floods wreaked havoc on the east coast, The Detail visits two towns to see how residents are holding up - and what the future holds
'A warning shot' on the east coast
Weeks after the January floods wreaked havoc on the east coast, The Detail visits two towns to see how locals are holding up - and what the future holds. Audio
Farms 'smashed' in East Coast storms
A clearer picture of the level of damage is starting to emerge after huge downpours hit the region last month.
