James Blair, the Pukekohe regional champion, was crowned Young Grower of the Year 2026 in Cromwell. He talks about the competition, the challenges faced throughout the programme, and what the national title means for his career.

James Blair, the Pukekohe regional champion, was crowned Young Grower of the Year 2026 in Cromwell. He talks about the competition, the challenges faced throughout the programme, and what the national title means for his career.

Jamie Mackay delivers your daily fix of everything going on in NZ's biggest industry, along with a generous side-serve of news, sports and politics. The Country from Newstalk ZB, iHeartCountry NZ, Hokonui & iHeartRadio.

Jamie Mackay delivers your daily fix of everything going on in NZ's biggest industry, along with a generous side-serve of news, sports and politics. The Country from Newstalk ZB, iHeartCountry NZ, Hokonui &amp; iHeartRadio.

Jamie Mackay delivers your daily fix of everything going on in NZ's biggest industry, along with a generous side-serve of news, sports and politics. The Country from Newstalk ZB, Hokonui and Gold Sport.

The Country

The Country 01/09/26:  James Blair talks to Hamish McKay

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b590c9a2-6297-4004-9645-b4b8001f8d0a/transcript

Hamish McKay talks to Dr Elizabeth Heeg, Hamish Best, Megan Whitehead, Alec Astle, and James Blair. 

Hamish McKay talks to Dr Elizabeth Heeg, Hamish Best, Megan Whitehead, Alec Astle, and James Blair.&nbsp;

The Country Full Show: Tuesday, September 1, 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/0b46078c-7b3b-4a3f-8fd3-b4b8001faf08/transcript

The Chief Executive of the New Zealand Forest Owners Association discusses how the forestry industry has come under increasing scrutiny, despite the many positives it delivers. She talks about how the sector is adapting its management systems in response to increased pressure from major storm events, the impact climate change is having on forestry operations, the role forestry plays in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), and whether carbon forestry is really the villain it is sometimes portrayed to be.

 

The Chief Executive of the New Zealand Forest Owners Association&nbsp;discusses how the forestry industry has come under increasing scrutiny, despite the many positives it delivers. She talks about how the sector is adapting its management systems in response to increased pressure from major storm events, the impact climate change is having on forestry operations, the role forestry plays in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), and whether carbon forestry is really the villain it is sometimes portrayed to be.
&nbsp;

The Country 01/09/26: Dr Elizabeth Heeg talks to Hamish McKay 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/14a56723-1c9c-4b22-9e8a-b4b8001fa99f/transcript

Hamish Best talks about the decision to sell meat locally, what a potential change to Homekill regulations could mean for farmers and producers, and why he believes the future is bright for the primary sector. He also reflects on his journey and what he gained from being a Zanda McDonald Award finalist in 2025.

Hamish Best talks about the decision to sell meat locally, what a potential change to Homekill regulations could mean for farmers and producers, and why he believes the future is bright for the primary sector. He also reflects on his journey and what he gained from being a Zanda McDonald Award finalist in 2025.

The Country 01/09/26:  Hamish Best talks to Hamish McKay 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/904b2fff-30da-472e-81eb-b4b8001fa40e/transcript

The Country 01/09/26: James Blair talks to Hamish McKay

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