The Country
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.
Rabobank The Best of The Country: September 19, 2026
Jamie Mackay talks to Shane Jones, Cameron Bagrie, Anna Palairet, Todd Charteris, and Christopher Luxon.
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The Country Full Show: Friday, September 18, 2026
Jamie Mackay talks to Hamish McKay, Bruce Weir, Stu Duncan, Stu Loe, Chris Brandolino, and Matt Keyte.
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The Country 18/09/26: Hamish McKay and Bruce Weir talk to Jamie Mackay
We set the scene at the Rabobank Good Deeds working bee at the Te Miro Settlers Hall, just outside of Cambridge.Â
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The Country 18/09/26: Stu Duncan and Stu Loe talk to Jamie Mackay
Today’s farmer panel ponders farming, footy and the weather.Â
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The Country 18/09/26: Chris Brandolino talks to Jamie Mackay
Friday’s favourite weatherman from Earth Sciences NZ warns us that the Super El Niño is just starting to bite!
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The Country 18/09/26: Matt Keyte talks to Jamie Mackay
We wrap up the Rabobank Good Deeds working bee with the chairman of the Te Miro Settlers Hall Committee.
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The Country Full Show: Thursday, September 17, 2026
Jamie Mackay talks to Todd Charteris, Chris Hipkins, Peter Newbold, Chris Russell, and Dean Rabbidge.
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The Country 17/09/26: Todd Charteris talks to Jamie Mackay
The chief executive of Rabobank reviews the bank’s latest Rural Confidence Survey, which shows farmer confidence remains unchanged from quarter two at a net positive reading of +14%.
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The Country 17/09/26: Chris Hipkins talks to Jamie Mackay
The Labour leader and wannabe PM discusses the Indian FTA, his ag policy, the Poll of Polls, and why we’re not taking a bipartisan approach to National Super and Infrastructure spend.
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The Country 17/09/26: Peter Newbold talks to Jamie Mackay
The GM of PGG Wrightson Real Estate takes his monthly look at the state of the rural market.
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The Country 17/09/26: Chris Russell talks to Jamie Mackay
Our Australian correspondent talks about record prices for ewes and bulls, and why the diesel price hikes could not come at a worse time as the harvest gets underway.Â
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The Country 17/09/26: Dean Rabbidge talks to Jamie Mackay
We head to the El Niño coalface to talk to a Southland sheep and beef farmer (and 2016 Zanda McDonald Award winner) about an appalling spring down south, down on the farm.
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The Country Full Show: Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Jamie Mackay talks to Christopher Luxon, Anna Palairet, Cameron Bagrie and Susan O’Regan.
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The Country 16/09/26: Christopher Luxon talks to Jamie Mackay
The Prime Minister talks about breaking up the supermarket duopoly, and we discuss tax cuts, asset sales and whether we should means-test the Winter Energy Payment.
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The Country 16/09/26: Anna Palairet talks to Jamie Mackay
Fonterra’s chief operating officer reviews last night’s GDT Auction (-1.1%), and we ask if it’s a given that the forecast milk price will rise from $9.25 next week.
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The Country 16/09/26: Cameron Bagrie talks to Jamie Mackay
An independent economist says the world economy is in a tough place at the moment, with many of the indices negative, but it’s not all bad news. Plus, he previews the launch of the Parents’ Alliance next week in Wellington.
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The Country 16/09/26: Susan O’Regan talks to Jamie Mackay
We catch up with the newly appointed chairwoman of the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust (for a term of three years). This follows the sad passing of the previous chairman, Alan Livingston, in April this year. QEII works in partnership with landowners to protect and enhance special areas of biodiversity and cultural heritage on private land through covenants.
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Ballance Agri-Nutrients: Make it Count: Maximising Spring fertiliser applications with Jim Risk
On this episode brought to you by Ballance Agri-Nutrients, Hamish McKay sits down with Jim Risk, Science Extension Nutrient Dynamics Specialist at Ballance Agri-Nutrients, to discuss how farmers can maximise the value of their spring fertiliser applications. They explore nutrient timing, soil moisture, nitrogen allocation, soil testing, pasture and crop growth, and practical ways to improve feed planning and productivity. A timely conversation packed with expert advice to help farmers make the most of their fertiliser this spring.Â
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The Country Full Show: Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Jamie Mackay talks to Shane Jones, Shane McManaway, Brad Siebert and Hunter McGregor.
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The Country 15/09/26: Shane Jones talks to Jamie Mackay
We caught up with Matua Shane, the Prince of the Provinces, on his spring fitness campaign as he walked to Parliament this morning, ahead of the arrival of the horseback hīkoi protest. We also discussed how farmers should vote and who should pay for the Aucklanders riding the CRL.
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The Country 15/09/26: Shane McManaway talks to Jamie Mackay
This Wairarapa farmer is a primary industry leader and mentor. Today, look at the weather and El Niño, Growing Future Farmers, the Zanda Awards, and Feilding Ag High on Country Calendar. Â
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The Country 15/09/26: Brad Siebert talks to Jamie Mackay
The chief executive of NZ Avocado discusses the production outlook, the opportunity to grow domestic demand and what increased consumption could mean for growers and regional communities, ahead of National Guacamole Day on Wednesday.
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The Country 15/09/26: Hunter McGregor talks to Jamie Mackay
Our Shanghai-based correspondent talks about the end of the summer heat, the state of the Chinese economy, solar power v coal-fired electricity, and compares the Shanghai Subway to Auckland's.
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The Country Full Show: Monday, September 14, 2026
Jamie Mackay talks to Colin Hurst, David Seymour, Pita Alexander, Jeremy Rookes and Phil Duncan.
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The Country 14/09/26: Colin Hurst talks to Jamie Mackay
The president of Federated Farmers says profitability is the highest it’s been in a decade, but farmers worry whether the good times will hold. Federated Farmers’ latest Confidence Survey shows 72% of farmers are making a profit, with fewer than one in 20 making a loss.
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The Country 14/09/26: David Seymour talks to Jamie Mackay
The Deputy Prime Minister and Act leader comments on his just-released party List, whether he agrees with Winston on Paris and pricing Ag emissions, and why we need more nation-building infrastructure projects in this country.
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The Country 14/09/26: Pita Alexander talks to Jamie Mackay
Christchurch-based farm accountant says farm expenses are coming up to meet incomes.
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The Country 14/09/26: Jeremy Rookes talks to Jamie Mackay
Our opinionated lifestyle correspondent comments on farming, footy and politics.
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The Country 14/09/26: Phil Duncan talks to Jamie Mackay
Monday’s resident weather expert says we can expect a settled start to the work week before a cold front moves up the country from Tuesday, bringing wet and windy weather. Snow is on the way for the South Island’s high country, with significant amounts possible on Thursday.
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Rabobank Best of The Country: September 12, 2026
Jamie Mackay talks to Damien O'Connor, Jen Corkran, Winston Peters, and Jane Smith.
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The Country Full Show: Friday, September 11, 2026
Jamie Mackay talks to Chris Brandolino, Richard Dawkins, George Dodson, Hugh Jackson, Todd Clark, and Barry Soper.
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The Country 11/09/26: Chris Brandolino talks to Jamie Mackay
Earth Sciences New Zealand’s principal scientist and former New Yorker reflects on 9/11. He also discusses the Super El Niño setting record numbers.
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The Country 11/09/26: Richard Dawkins talks to Jamie Mackay
Federated Farmers’ spokesman for climate change and meat and wool gives Labour a pat on the back for finally agreeing not to campaign on pricing agricultural emissions after 25 years of wanting to do just that.
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The Country 11/09/26: George Dodson and Hugh Jackson talk to Jamie Mackay
Today’s farmer panel discusses the dairy season in Canterbury, putting Halter collars on cows, social media, lambing in Te Akau, KiwiSaver for Young Farmers, and farmers needing to understand the three-leaf stage of grazing management.
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The Country 11/09/26: Todd Clark talks to Jamie Mackay
Our US farming correspondent comments on farming in the fall, shares his memories of 9/11 and tells us whether he's embarrassed by his President's porkies.
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The Country 11/09/26: Barry Soper talks to Jamie Mackay
Our political correspondent reflects on 9/11 and a better week for the Nats.
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Dairy Insights with Fonterra: Nicola McCarthy
Michelle Watt talks to Farm Source Regional Head for the Lower North Island Nicola McCarthy.Â
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The Country Full Show: Thursday, September 10, 2026
Jamie Mackay talks to Winston Peters, Jane Smith, Jamie Cunningham, Chris Russell and Matt Gray.
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The Country 10/09/26: Winston Peters talks to Jamie Mackay
The NZ First leader and former Deputy PM comments on two big issues facing farming: the Paris Accord and the pricing of agricultural emissions. He also denies that his proposed nationalisation of BNZ is a “hair-brained” policy and reflects on 9/11, 25 years on.
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The Country 10/09/26: Jane Smith talks to Jamie Mackay
A North Otago farmer and award-winning environmentalist sings the praises of Open Country Dairy's Mark de Latour and his Paris Agreement stance. Plus, she says the Opportunity Party’s ag policy is a cross between Gloriavale and the Jetsons.
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