Country Life

Feilding livestock agent and saleyards auctioneer Alex Stewart on breaking into an old man's game, human calculators and conducting the sale.

With thanks to guests:

• Alex Stewart

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A wrap of conditions on farms and orchards around the country.

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

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This week Country Life meets a couple who've had a lifetime on the same farm, and some newcomers to the truffle industry, and the team also talk fitness with a farming-focused physiotherapist.

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

In this episode:

• 0:43 - Taking physio to the farmers
• 8:15- Rural News Wrap
• 16:21 - A life on the land at Lansdown Farm
• 29:00 - Sniffing out a new life at Trufflewood

With thanks to guests:

• Storm Baynes-Ryan
• Ian and Pam Buckingham
• Lance and Nikki Dodd, and Indie

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Indie has just finished her first harvest as a truffle hunter, showing outstanding skills for a pup. Her owners have just finished their first harvest too and are relishing life on the land after years searching for a place to call home.

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

With thanks to guests:

• Lance and Nikki Dodd, and Indie

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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.

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Farmer Ian Buckingham was born at Lansdown Farm at Hook near Waimate 85 years ago and he's never left.

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

• Ian and Pam Buckingham

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A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector.

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Constant wet weather on hilly Te Tai Rāwhiti farms has led to an uptick in injuries among farmers there. Our guest this week, physiotherapist-cum-farmer Storm Baynes-Ryan, gives in-paddock advice to help them recover, stay strong and keep fit.

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

With thanks to guests:

• Storm Baynes-Ryan

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This week Country Life delves into the world of the harakeke plant and its many uses - from fashion to paper - and finds out about skincare products made from wool.

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

In this episode:

• 0:46 - Romene: From sheep to sheet mask
• 6:35 - Rural News Wrap
• 13:33 - Huhana Smith - artist, scholar, activist and farmer
• 28:38 - The many lessons of the pā harakeke

With thanks to guests:

• Megan Seator, Romene
• Huhana Smith
• Marilyn and Marty Vreede, Pakohe

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Whanganui couple Marilyn and Marty Vreede have been making paper from leftover harakeke from the district's many weavers. Between processing the strong fibre and making sheets of paper, they also help revitalise te reo Māori.

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

You can find more about Pakohe, here.

In this episode:

• 0:21 - Meet Marilyn and Marty Vreede
• 1:33 - Their love story through te reo
• 6:10 - Harakeke paper making
• 9:30 - Working with weavers
• 14:20 - Making the half-stuff

With thanks to:

• Marilyn and Marty Vreede

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

Huhana Smith grows olives, fruit and harakeke on six hectares of land at Kuku north of Wellington. It's a productive testing ground for growing healthy food and, potentially, a sustainable fashion industry.

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

With thanks to:

• Huhana Smith

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