This episode features Helen Lash, Westland Mayor discussing council roading and the challenges facing the region’s road network.

 

WANT TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW LIVE (11am-1pm NZST) ON THE GO? Download CountryWide Connect mobile app to stream the show via Apple Car Play or Android Auto. Or try the voice command ‘Play CountryWide Connect’ on Amazon Alexa or Google Home.

 

Apple:https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881

Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&hl=en_NZ

This episode features Helen Lash, Westland Mayor discussing council roading and the challenges facing the region&rsquo;s road network.
&nbsp;
WANT TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW LIVE (11am-1pm NZST) ON THE GO? Download CountryWide Connect mobile app to stream the show via Apple Car Play or Android Auto. Or try the voice command &lsquo;Play CountryWide Connect&rsquo; on Amazon Alexa or Google Home.
&nbsp;
Apple: <a href="https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881">https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881</a>
Google Play: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&amp;hl=en_NZ">https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&amp;hl=en_NZ</a>

CountryWide CONNECT is the latest innovative daily livestreamed rural video/radio show broadcast at lunchtime 11am – 1pm Monday-Friday from Christchurch, New Zealand.


The show is hosted by respected award-winning agribusiness broadcasters, Sarah Perriam-Lampp (formerly Sarah’s Country & Rural Exchange) and Andy Thompson (formerly The Rural Round-Up).


Over two hours, Sarah & Andy cover the latest in New Zealand rural news, views, politics but most importantly in-depth technical farming advice to help improve farmers bottom lines!

For more information & to subscribe to CountryWide, visit www.country-wide.co.nz

CountryWide CONNECT is the latest innovative daily livestreamed rural video/radio show broadcast at lunchtime 11am &ndash; 1pm Monday-Friday from Christchurch, New Zealand.
 The show is hosted by respected award-winning agribusiness broadcasters, Sarah Perriam-Lampp (formerly Sarah&rsquo;s Country &amp; Rural Exchange) and Andy Thompson (formerly The Rural Round-Up).
 Over two hours, Sarah &amp; Andy cover the latest in New Zealand rural news, views, politics but most importantly in-depth technical farming advice to help improve farmers bottom lines!
For more information &amp; to subscribe to CountryWide, visit www.country-wide.co.nz

CountryWide CONNECT

CountryWide CONNECT is an innovative daily livestreamed rural video/radio show broadcast at lunchtime 11am – 1pm Monday-Friday from Christchurch, New Zealand.


The show is hosted by respected award-winning agribusiness broadcasters, Sarah Perriam-Lampp (formerly Sarah’s Country & Rural Exchange) and Andy Thompson (formerly The Rural Round-Up).


Over two hours, Sarah & Andy cover the latest in New Zealand rural news, views, politics but most importantly in-depth technical farming advice to help improve farmers bottom lines!

For more information & to subscribe to CountryWide, visit www.country-wide.co.nz

CountryWide CONNECT is an innovative daily livestreamed rural video/radio show broadcast at lunchtime 11am &ndash; 1pm Monday-Friday from Christchurch, New Zealand.
 The show is hosted by respected award-winning agribusiness broadcasters, Sarah Perriam-Lampp (formerly Sarah&rsquo;s Country &amp; Rural Exchange) and Andy Thompson (formerly The Rural Round-Up).
 Over two hours, Sarah &amp; Andy cover the latest in New Zealand rural news, views, politics but most importantly in-depth technical farming advice to help improve farmers bottom lines!
For more information &amp; to subscribe to CountryWide, visit www.country-wide.co.nz

Helen Lash - West Coast secures vital funding for special purpose roads

Labour Promises Urgent ETS Fix and Forestry Conversion Pause


Strong red meat returns forecast, but margins tighten


Crop protection reforms welcomed by HortNZ

 

WANT TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW LIVE (11am-1pm NZST) ON THE GO? Download CountryWide Connect mobile app to stream the show via Apple Car Play or Android Auto. Or try the voice command ‘Play CountryWide Connect’ on Amazon Alexa or Google Home.

 

Apple:https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881

Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&hl=en_NZ

 

Labour Promises Urgent ETS Fix and Forestry Conversion Pause

Labour is promising to urgently review and fix the Emissions Trading Scheme if elected, pausing new forestry registrations while the work is completed.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says the ETS is broken — the carbon price is too low to drive meaningful emissions reductions, and current rules make it cheaper to plant exotic forests than grow food.

Climate spokesperson Dr Deborah Russell says the review will identify changes to incentivise genuine emissions reductions, reconsider forestry's role in the ETS and develop new rules to prevent whole-farm conversions to forestry.

Labour is committed to the Paris Agreement and says walking away from it — as National and its coalition partners are signalling — would impose huge costs on the economy and future generations.

New forestry ETS registrations will be paused while the review is completed.

 

Strong red meat returns forecast, but margins tighten

Sheep and beef farmers can expect strong red meat returns in 2026-27, but Beef + Lamb New Zealand is warning farm margins are likely to tighten.

Farm Profit Before Tax is forecast to average $267,200, down 20 percent from the provisional record of $335,500 last season, but still well above the five-year average. Average lamb farmgate prices are expected to fall 8 percent, with beef cattle prices down 4.5 percent and farm expenditure rising 4.2 percent.

B+LNZ says tight global red meat supply and strong demand will continue to support prices, but a stronger New Zealand dollar, higher input costs and slower global economic growth will limit gains.

Chair Kate Acland says farmers should use stronger cashflow to build financial resilience and prepare for market and climate risks, including the potential for dry El Niño conditions.

 

Crop protection reforms welcomed by HortNZ

Horticulture New Zealand is welcoming progress on reforms aimed at improving growers’ access to safe and effective crop protection products.

The ACVM Amendment Bill, reported back by the Primary Production Select Committee, would reduce duplication in approvals and make greater use of assessments from trusted overseas regulators.

HortNZ chief executive Kate Scott says faster access to newer and safer products is important for managing pests and diseases, reducing crop losses and maintaining export market requirements.

HortNZ is urging all parties to support the Bill through its remaining stages before the general election, along with related reforms to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act.

Scott says growers need a regulatory system that supports productivity, resilience and innovation while continuing to protect people, the environment and trade.

<ul>
<li>
Labour Promises Urgent ETS Fix and Forestry Conversion Pause
</li>
<li>
Strong red meat returns forecast, but margins tighten
</li>
<li>
Crop protection reforms welcomed by HortNZ
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
WANT TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW LIVE (11am-1pm NZST) ON THE GO? Download CountryWide Connect mobile app to stream the show via Apple Car Play or Android Auto. Or try the voice command &lsquo;Play CountryWide Connect&rsquo; on Amazon Alexa or Google Home.
&nbsp;
Apple: <a href="https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881">https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881</a>
Google Play: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&amp;hl=en_NZ">https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&amp;hl=en_NZ</a>
&nbsp;
Labour Promises Urgent ETS Fix and Forestry Conversion Pause
Labour is promising to urgently review and fix the Emissions Trading Scheme if elected, pausing new forestry registrations while the work is completed.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins says the ETS is broken &mdash; the carbon price is too low to drive meaningful emissions reductions, and current rules make it cheaper to plant exotic forests than grow food.
Climate spokesperson Dr Deborah Russell says the review will identify changes to incentivise genuine emissions reductions, reconsider forestry's role in the ETS and develop new rules to prevent whole-farm conversions to forestry.
Labour is committed to the Paris Agreement and says walking away from it &mdash; as National and its coalition partners are signalling &mdash; would impose huge costs on the economy and future generations.
New forestry ETS registrations will be paused while the review is completed.
&nbsp;
Strong red meat returns forecast, but margins tighten
Sheep and beef farmers can expect strong red meat returns in 2026-27, but Beef + Lamb New Zealand is warning farm margins are likely to tighten.
Farm Profit Before Tax is forecast to average $267,200, down 20 percent from the provisional record of $335,500 last season, but still well above the five-year average. Average lamb farmgate prices are expected to fall 8 percent, with beef cattle prices down 4.5 percent and farm expenditure rising 4.2 percent.
B+LNZ says tight global red meat supply and strong demand will continue to support prices, but a stronger New Zealand dollar, higher input costs and slower global economic growth will limit gains.
Chair Kate Acland says farmers should use stronger cashflow to build financial resilience and prepare for market and climate risks, including the potential for dry El Ni&ntilde;o conditions.
&nbsp;
Crop protection reforms welcomed by HortNZ
Horticulture New Zealand is welcoming progress on reforms aimed at improving growers&rsquo; access to safe and effective crop protection products.
The ACVM Amendment Bill, reported back by the Primary Production Select Committee, would reduce duplication in approvals and make greater use of assessments from trusted overseas regulators.
HortNZ chief executive Kate Scott says faster access to newer and safer products is important for managing pests and diseases, reducing crop losses and maintaining export market requirements.
HortNZ is urging all parties to support the Bill through its remaining stages before the general election, along with related reforms to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act.
Scott says growers need a regulatory system that supports productivity, resilience and innovation while continuing to protect people, the environment and trade.

8th September 2026 // Rural News

This episode features Tony Trewinnard, Blue Skies Weather discussing a situation update and the latest weather outlook.

 

WANT TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW LIVE (11am-1pm NZST) ON THE GO? Download CountryWide Connect mobile app to stream the show via Apple Car Play or Android Auto. Or try the voice command ‘Play CountryWide Connect’ on Amazon Alexa or Google Home.

 

Apple:https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881

Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&hl=en_NZ

This episode features Tony Trewinnard, Blue Skies Weather discussing a situation update and the latest weather outlook.
&nbsp;
WANT TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW LIVE (11am-1pm NZST) ON THE GO? Download CountryWide Connect mobile app to stream the show via Apple Car Play or Android Auto. Or try the voice command &lsquo;Play CountryWide Connect&rsquo; on Amazon Alexa or Google Home.
&nbsp;
Apple: <a href="https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881">https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881</a>
Google Play: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&amp;hl=en_NZ">https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&amp;hl=en_NZ</a>

Tony Trewinnard - Westerly pattern swings between weak and wild this spring

This episode features Matthew Zonderop, Perfect Cow Breeding Systems discussing using AI in bull selection and breeding decisions.

 

WANT TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW LIVE (11am-1pm NZST) ON THE GO? Download CountryWide Connect mobile app to stream the show via Apple Car Play or Android Auto. Or try the voice command ‘Play CountryWide Connect’ on Amazon Alexa or Google Home.

 

Apple:https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881

Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&hl=en_NZ

This episode features Matthew Zonderop, Perfect Cow Breeding Systems discussing using AI in bull selection and breeding decisions.
&nbsp;
WANT TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW LIVE (11am-1pm NZST) ON THE GO? Download CountryWide Connect mobile app to stream the show via Apple Car Play or Android Auto. Or try the voice command &lsquo;Play CountryWide Connect&rsquo; on Amazon Alexa or Google Home.
&nbsp;
Apple: <a href="https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881">https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881</a>
Google Play: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&amp;hl=en_NZ">https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&amp;hl=en_NZ</a>

Helen Lash - West Coast secures vital funding for special purpose roads

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