Country Life

This week Country Life follows a farrier as he fits a horse with new shoes, compares different milks and their nutritional benefits, and visit's an actor's bit of country in Middle Earth.

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

In this episode:

• 0:38 - Milking it: Which milk is best?
• 16:36 - Rural News Wrap
• 24:36 - Hoofin' it in Central Otago: Walking a mile in a farrier's shoes
• 38:36 - A little bit country, a little bit Middle Earth

With thanks to:

• Louise Brough, Massey University
• Bruce Barton, Barton Blacksmith Services
• William Kircher and Nicole Chesterman-Kircher

Make sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.

Send us your feedback or get in touch at [email protected]

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

William Kircher, known for his role as Bifur the dwarf in The Hobbit trilogy, has moved to the country. When not performing overseas, he and jazz singer Nicole Chesterman Kircher are enjoying the rural pace with sheep, chooks, fruit trees and an honesty box at the gate.

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

With thanks to:

• William Kircher and Nicole Chesterman Kircher

Make sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.

Want to chat to us or find out more about RNZ Podcasts? Join the RNZ Podcasts Discussion Facebook group where we share behind the scenes info about our series, and invite you to share feedback, recommendations and ask us questions.

Send us your feedback or get in touch at [email protected]

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

From working with 2000 degrees Celsius heat to moving a half tonne animal, being a farrier is no easy job, as Country Life found out.

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

You can find more about Barton Blacksmithing Services, here.

With thanks to:

• Bruce Barton, Twix and Rip

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A round-up of the week's rural news.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Country Life speaks to a Massey University professor who specialises in nutrition and food chemistry about different types of milk - their pros and cons.

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

With thanks to:

• Louise Brough, Massey University

And to hear more from the previous guests featured:

• Alex Irvine of Canterbury's Choice
• Cameron Ravenwood of Fernglen Farm
• Frans Steenkamp of the now closed Brooklyn Creamery
• Dr Gert-Jan Moggré, the man behind Plant and Food's Barley Dairy Project

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Ever wondered how farmed salmon produce the next generation? Anisha tours Akaroa King Salmon's hatchery in Canterbury, and an award-winning Māori trust-owned farm in Te Tai Tokerau has had to battle fierce flooding this year. Sally is in the farm ute touring the damage. Also, Dairy Woman of the Year Hinehou Timutimu talks about how she is inspired to farm for the community.

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

In this episode:

0:42 - Rural News Wrap

7:37 - Farming takes a village

15:49 - Northland's storms test award-winning farm

30:16 - Spawning day on a salmon farm

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

What does it take to make salmon babies that grow into big, tasty fish. Anisha Satya visits Akaroa King Salmon's hatchery in North Canterbury.

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

With thanks to:

• Stewart Hawthron
• Hagen Kocksch
• Henry Wilson

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In just three years the Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust's beef farm in Northland was able to boast a "million-dollar herd" on its rehabilitated whenua, winning the prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy in 2025. But this year the farm has been hit by floods and mudslides from intense weather events. Sally Round paid a visit to see how the farm has coped.

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here, and the Ahuwhenua Trophy, here.

With thanks to:

• Wess Wetere
• Matthew Payne
• Kirean Wetere
• Ahuwhenua Trophy

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Anisha Satya speaks to Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year winner, Hinehou Timutimu, about how community-focused farming makes an impact.

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

With thanks to:

• Hinehou Timutimu

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A wrap of news from RNZ's rural news desk

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details