The Country
12pm-1pm Weekdays
THE COUNTRY
WITH JAMIE MACKAY
12pm–1pm weekdays
New Zealand’s flagship rural radio show.
As a former sheep farmer and a current equity partner in a Southland dairy farm, Jamie Mackay knows agribusiness.
He delivers your daily fix of everything going on in NZ's biggest industry, along with a generous side-serve of news, sports and politics.
Tapping into contacts throughout the industry, Jamie always gets to the heart of a story.
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Trade Minister issues warning as NZ farmers brace for Trump tariffs
The Trade Minister says his officials are trying to understand and limit fallout from Donald Trump's tarrifs. They've been applied to China, Canada and Mexico -...
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Luxon encourages caution ahead of agricultural tariffs potentially hitting NZ
The Prime Minister says he's waiting to hear the nuts and bolts of potential agricultural product tariffs that could impact New Zealand. US President Donald Trump...
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Is NZ on the road to economic recovery?
One economist has outlined how New Zealand could bounce back after an economically challenging 2024. Interest rates have lowered and the OCR has come down after...
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Seymour defends school lunch 'teething problems' amid ongoing backlash
The Associate Education Minister's making no apologies for his scaled-down, cheaper school lunches. A number of schools have complained of late or sub-standard offerings. David...
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Finance Minister outlines plan to put more pressure on banks
The Finance Minister has outlined a new set of expectations for the Reserve Bank - and she's determined to create more competition in New Zealand's banking sector. Nicola...
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Are we better off in a world without cows?
Dr Vaughn Holder, Alltech’s Kentucky-based global research director for beef, joined The Country to discuss a new documentary about the beef industry. World Without...
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Farmer confidence jumps to 10-year high - Feds
Farmer confidence has risen to its highest level in over a decade, rebounding from record lows in recent years, Federated Farmers says. The advocacy group has released...
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Winston Peters latest to urge NZ to pull out of Paris Agreement
The Deputy Prime Minister has added his voice to questions on New Zealand's place in the Paris Climate Accord. ACT leader David Seymour earlier this month floated...
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NZ First's Shane Jones talks fisheries reform consultation, expands on 'anti-woke' banking bill
The Fisheries Minister's taking aim at what he's labelling opponents of the sector. Consultation's open around proposals to loosen catch regulations and restrict...
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ACT's David Seymour raises doubts over NZ's future in the Paris Agreement
New Zealand's next Deputy Prime Minister is casting doubt over our future involvement in a landmark climate deal. The Paris Climate Agreement is an accord signed...
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NZ First's Shane Jones criticises 'woke banks' and their impact on the productive sector
NZ First MP Shane Jones has fired back against the nation's biggest banks and accused them of holding back Kiwi industries in the name of sustainability. Jones has...
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Prime Minister Luxon hopeful NZ can have a good trade relationship with the US
The Prime Minister says New Zealand's well positioned to have a good relationship with America's new administration. Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters and...
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Peters credits Trump's team with Gaza ceasefire
The Foreign Minister's suggesting Donald Trump's personnel helped make the Gaza ceasefire become reality. The pause in hostilities between Israel and Hamas began...
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Minister McClay talks trade, tariffs as President Trump sworn in
Co-operation talks have started with the new US Administration around New Zealand trade. There's uncertainty whether Donald Trump will impose blanket tariffs - or...
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ACT's David Seymour hopeful despite latest poll drop
ACT's leader is confident his party's on the right track, despite a poll drop. The latest Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll has Labour overtaking National, which has fallen...
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Who is Christopher Luxon's ag person of the year?
The Prime Minister ponders the Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU), and wasteful Government spending. Plus, he comes up with his three nominees for ag person...
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David Seymour reveals his pick for Politician of the Year
As the year draws to a close, the nation's experts are unveiling their picks for Politician of the Year. ACT leader David Seymour joined The Country to weigh in...
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'Get things back on track': Winston Peters defends ferry announcement
Winston Peters is on the defence after copping some backlash for the Government's handling of the ferry replacement announcement. He was named the new Rail Minister...
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Stuart Nash unpacks new carbon farming regulations
Former Labour Cabinet Minister and Minister of Forestry Stuart Nash unpacked the Government’s new forestry/carbon farming regulations announced last week. Nash says...
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Fonterra CEO celebrates record $10 forecast milk price
A better end to the year than expected for the dairy sector. Fonterra has raised its forecast Farmgate Milk Price's midpoint for the second time in less than a month. It's...
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Prime Minister Luxon talks farm-to-forestry conversion changes
Saving prime farmland is the goal of new changes to forestry. The Government will be putting a moratorium on converting the best category 1 to 5 farm land into...
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ACT's David Seymour defends carbon farming
ACT's David Seymour has spoken in defence of carbon farming, claiming property rights trump land use. Seymour explained that the Government was committed to 'evening...
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Prime Minister Luxon unveils plans to restore farmer confidence
Following the kick-off of yesterday's “Restoring Farmer Confidence Tour” at Mystery Creek, the Prime Minister is full of ideas to bring hope back to the sector. Chris...
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OCR update: Experts predicting cuts on the horizon
Most economists expect the Official Cash Rate will be cut by another 50 basis points this week. The Reserve Bank will review the cash rate on Wednesday at 2pm. Independent...
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Zespri head outlines the company's expected November price forecast
The head of kiwifruit giant Zespri is predicting a strong price forecast off the back of a solid growth period for the industry. New Zealand's kiwifruit sector has...
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Alliance Group posts $95.8m net loss
Meat processor Alliance Group is reporting a significant loss as it moves to close its Timaru meatworks. It's reporting a net loss after tax of $95.8 million for...
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'They don't want a dialogue': ACT's David Seymour defends refusal to address hīkoi
It's a big day for ACT's David Seymour, as the hīkoi marching down the country to oppose the Treaty Principles Bill arrived in Wellington today. Tens of thousands...
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Important learnings for the New Zealand's agricultural community from COP29
Climate Change Action Company founder and co-chair of Future Farmers NZ, Lake Hāwea Station’s Finn Ross has been at COP29. Ross speaks to Jamie Mackay about his...
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'We had a really good chat': Prime Minister Luxon recaps first call with Trump
Prime Minister Chris Luxon's opened up about his first one-on-one chat with US President-elect Donald Trump. The pair had a lengthy discussion about business, international...
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"A great show": Sir David Carter on New Zealand's biggest A&P Show
Cup and Show Week gets underway today with the NZ Trotting Cup at Addington. Also on the week’s agenda is the A&P Show running from Thursday to Saturday, Free...
