New Zealand’s Country Calendar Turns 60: Fans and Crew Celebrate
New Zealanders are spontaneously joining in the 60th birthday celebrations of the nation’s iconic rural programme, Country Calendar.
OPINION: The Hound notes that marketing/promotion couple and Lake Hawea Station owners Geoff and Justine Ross came in for a fair bit of criticism about their 'woke' farming practices after recently featuring on Country Calendar.
The couple claim - among other things - to run Australasia's first 'carbon certified zero' farm.
The Country Calendar piece featured shearing at Lake Hawea, where the shearing board was painted white, mattresses are placed at the bottom of the chute the sheep are put down, shearers must play classical music in the shed and each sheep is monitored on 'experience' rather than by a shearer's tally.
The episode recorded the most feedback the TV show has got this season - the vast majority less than positive.
To be fair, it is their money and their farm, so they should be able to do what they want, but could just ease up on lecturing others.
Horticulture New Zealand says proposed changes to the Plant Variety Rights Act 2022 will drive innovation, investment and long-term productivity.
More than 1200 exhibitors will showcase their products and services at next month’s National Fieldays, with sites nearly sold out.
Despite difficult trading conditions for European machinery manufacturers brought about conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, alongside the United States imposing punitive tariffs, Italian manufacturer Maschio Gaspardo, has seen turnover increase 12% in 2025 to €390 million (NZ$775m) with a net profit of €11.2 million (NZ$22.3).
New Zealand innovation company Techion, best known for its animal diagnostics platform, FECPAK has signed an exclusive strategic partnership with Farmlands to bring independent animal health disease intelligence to its customers.
Zespri says it welcomes the recently signed Western Bay of Plenty Regional Deal, describing it as an important step towards supporting growth in the region and for New Zealand's kiwifruit industry.
Troubled milk processor Synlait has lost its third chief executive in five years.

OPINION: When Donald Trump returned to the White House, many people with half a brain could see the results for…
OPINION: Media trust has tanked because of what media's more woke members do and say.