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
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June 16, 202612 min
Tony Trewinnard - What’s behind the warm winter weather?
This episode features Tony Trewinnard, Blue Skies Weather discussing upcoming weather patterns and what farmers should be preparing for across the country. 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_NZSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 16, 20263 min
16th June 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands
Bay of Plenty tops regional economic rankings on kiwifruit strength Pāmu opens applications for third intake of farm apprentices Rural organisations share sixty thousand dollar community fund Rural News is in partnership with Farmlands as part of CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp - our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / listen. Bay of Plenty tops regional economic rankings on kiwifruit strength The Bay of Plenty has taken out the top spot in the latest regional economic scoreboard for the March quarter, with strong kiwifruit exports and solid employment growth driving the region's performance. The quarterly ASB scoreboard ranks sixteen regions across employment, construction, retail trade and consumer confidence, with Canterbury second and Otago third. Bay of Plenty's result ended Canterbury's two-consecutive-quarter run at the top. The strong primary sector performance underpinned the result — a bumper 2025 kiwifruit season and a strong start to 2026 supporting export demand and jobs growth across the region. Analysts warn that elevated inflation, rising cost pressures and global uncertainty are expected to weigh on growth and consumer confidence in the months ahead, with the pace of regional recovery likely to remain uneven. Pāmu opens applications for third intake of farm apprentices Pāmu is accepting applications for the third intake of its farm apprenticeship scheme, offering school leavers and those new to farming full-time paid work, on-farm accommodation and formal qualifications. Apprentices are based at Aratiatia Farm near Taupō, gaining hands-on experience on commercial farms while working toward Primary ITO Level Three and Four qualifications in dairy or livestock. Every apprentice from the first cohort completed their foundation year and moved into full-time roles on Pāmu farms. Pāmu chief executive Mark Leslie says the sector needs more skilled, capable people and the scheme is about creating real opportunities for young people to build meaningful careers in farming. Applications close midnight July eighth at pamunewzealand.com. Rural organisations share sixty thousand dollar community fund Seven rural organisations across New Zealand have received funding from the Rabobank Community Fund, with recipients spanning community halls, health services, education and recreation. This round's recipients are Te Kohanga Community Hall and Manawaru Hall in the upper North Island, Takapau Community Health Charitable Trust and Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki in the lower North Island, Mount Hutt College in the upper South Island, and Kaitangi Community Pool and Flecks Hall in the lower South Island. Mount Hutt College will use its funding to complete the interior fit-out of an agricultural classroom at the Ōpuke Innovation Hub in Mid Canterbury — a community initiative designed to connect secondary students with the agricultural and trades sectors. The sixty-thousand dollars brings total Rabo Community Fund commitments to rural communities to four-point-one million dollars since 2021.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 16, 20269 min
Shelley Houston - Over 80 brands looking to work with NZ kiwifruit leather startup
This episode features Shelley Houston, Founder, Materially Kiwi discussing an innovative new venture turning waste kiwifruit into premium leather alternatives and creating new opportunities from horticultural by-products. 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_NZSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 16, 202610 min
Anne Lee - What's in CountryWide Winter 2026
This episode features Anne Lee discussing the stories shaping New Zealand agriculture. 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_NZSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 16, 20269 min
Nigel Smellie - Taking the time to get tech right on farm
This episode features Nigel Smellie, Partner, Accounting & Business Advisory, Findex discussing why a cautious, measured approach to agri-tech adoption could be the smartest investment strategy for farming businesses. 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_NZSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 16, 20269 min
Amy Honeywell - Opening student’s eyes to ag with Ōpuke Innovation Hub
This episode features Amy Honeywell, Coordinator, The Ōpuke Innovation Hub discussing the organisation's success as the latest recipient of funding support through the Rabobank Community Fund. 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_NZSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 16, 202610 min
Dean McHardy - Tangihau Angus buys $168,000 bull
This episode features Dean McHardy, Manager, Tangihau Station discussing record bull prices. 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_NZSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 16, 202611 min
Gary Brady - ‘Attitude is everything’: Pāmu is looking for their 2027 apprentices
This episode features Gary Brady, Apprenticeship Scheme Manager, Pāmu discussing the opening of applications for the next intake of Pāmu apprentices and the opportunities available for young people looking to build a career in agriculture. 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_NZSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 16, 20269 min
Edwin Laver - Knowing a little about a lot for FMG Young Farmer Final
This episode features Edwin Laver, East Coast FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Finalist discussing his regional victory and prepares for the challenge of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final. 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_NZSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 16, 20262 hr 0 min
FULL SHOW - 16th June 2026
CountryWide Connect - Show Summary East Coast New Zealand Young Farmer of the Year Grand Finalist Ed Laver as he reflects on his regional victory and prepares for the challenge of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final. Pāmu Apprenticeship Scheme Manager Gary Brady joins us to discuss the opening of applications for the next intake of Pāmu apprentices and the opportunities available for young people looking to build a career in agriculture. Tangihau Station Manager, Dean McHardy on record bull prices. Ōpuke Innovation Hub Chief Executive Amy Honeywell joins us following the organisation's success as the latest recipient of funding support through the Rabobank Community Fund. Findex Partner and Accounting & Business Advisory specialist Nigel Smellie explains why a cautious, measured approach to agri-tech adoption could be the smartest investment strategy for farming businesses. Anne Lee for the Dairy Country Panel as we discuss the stories shaping New Zealand agriculture. Materially Kiwi founder Shelley Houston joins us to discuss an innovative new venture turning waste kiwifruit into premium leather alternatives and creating new opportunities from horticultural by-products. Blue Skies Weather forecaster Tony Trewinnard, looking ahead to upcoming weather patterns and what farmers should be preparing for across the country.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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