Coast & Country rural news & lifestyle


Young Farmers visit Fieldays as they gear up for grand final
A couple of top Young Farmers popped in to talk to The Country's Jamie Mackay too.

How the Rural Advocacy Hub is bringing unity to Fieldays
Politicians, including Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, plan to attend.

Model railway enthusiasts bring farming history to life
Club initially used ex-dairy farmer and life member Brian Harvey’s hobby room and shed.

NZ’s timber industry braces for tough times ahead
China's construction slump hits NZ's timber exports, says expert Jeff Tombleson.

'Prime focus': Avocado industry targets global markets
NZ Avocado plans to diversify export markets, focusing on North America and Asia.

Solar panels slash farmer's power bills
Malcolm Jones' milking shed is entirely solar-powered, comprising 380 panels.

Why John Rohloff is dubbed 'Mr Consistency' in excavation
Te Puke is now home to the county’s second-best excavator operator.

‘Strong sense of confidence’: Kiwifruit industry eyes record harvest
The kiwifruit industry picked up last year and things are looking good for 2025.

‘Really lucky’: Farmers grateful for training programme
Growing Future Farmers is a training programme aimed at increasing industry skills.

Once-a-day milking a winning choice for King Country couple
OAD milking move made in the 2023-24 season as costs were getting 'out of control'.
More from The Country

Tonnes of promise: Angus Bull Week set to make millions
Black beauties offer 'soundness, type and grunt' for buyers at four days of sales.

50 years on the ice: How an Olympic gold medal kickstarted a couple's business
Ross and Nell Blong’s family has run ice rinks and skates business for 50 years.

Why a 'cute' pet is now included in a pest management plan
Hint: They are more likely to degrade waterways than mutate into a crime-fighting team.
More from Rural Life

50 years on the ice: How an Olympic gold medal kickstarted a couple's business
Ross and Nell Blong’s family has run ice rinks and skates business for 50 years.

Finding forever home for old farming dogs getting harder - charity
The charity has rehomed about 1800 farming canines over the last decade.

'Quite fun': Hamish's quail egg business takes flight
Hamish began rearing quails for their eggs at age 11.
More from SunLive and The Weekend Sun

Why a journalist roleplayed a rescue victim with Bay of Plenty’s Civil Defence team
The team will hold an open recruitment night on June 26.

Why a 'cute' pet is now included in a pest management plan
Hint: They are more likely to degrade waterways than mutate into a crime-fighting team.

Winter fire warning for seniors after Waihī death
People aged 60-plus accounted for 55% of all house fire deaths over the past 5 years.