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.
Subscribe to The Country Podcast
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Economist speculates ahead of tomorrow's OCR call
The Reserve Bank is set to release their latest update on the OCR, and one expert has outlined his predictions ahead of tomorrow's reveal. Cameron Bagrie has observed...
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'Huge opportunity': Prime Minister Chris Luxon on recent international ventures
The Prime Minister has been working to grow New Zealand's economic prospects following his recent journey overseas. Luxon recently returned from meeting leaders...
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Zespri teams up with Dame Lisa Carrington
Zespri, the world’s largest kiwifruit marketer, has named Dame Lisa Carrington, New Zealand’s most decorated Olympian, as its inaugural global brand ambassador. The...
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Cyclone Gabrielle-hit farmers still waiting for full-farm access
Two Cyclone Gabrielle-hit farmers in the Gisborne region are still waiting to get full farm access. This is after their bridge was washed out in early 2023. Helen...
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Fieldays 2025: Prime Minister Luxon reaffirms commitment to farmers
The Prime Minister says his Government loves farmers, and has added a swipe at the Opposition. In a Curia poll paid for by lobby group Federated Farmers, 54 percent...
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PM Luxon dismisses dip in new poll
The Prime Minister's dismissing the significance of a dip in support in two recent polls. A One-News Verian poll - released last night - has National down two percent,...
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David Seymour outlines priorities after stepping into Deputy Prime Minister role
David Seymour promises to be on his best behaviour as he takes on the role of Deputy Prime Minister. The ACT leader's officially taken over the role from New Zealand...
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Fonterra sets milk price forecast and earnings
Good news for Fonterra dairy farmers - accompanied by a 'but'. The dairy co-op's forecasting a $10 farmgate milk price payout this season, with an earnings ranging...
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Budget 2025: What would Labour's version look like?
It's Budget Day 2025 - but what would be on the table if the opposition was in charge? Labour's Chris Hipkins has also expressed interest in getting the nation moving...
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Budget 2025: Prime Minister hopes 2025 Budget will get NZ moving
Budget 2025 will be revealed tomorrow - and the Prime Minister is hoping it'll help boost New Zealand's future. Chris Luxon explained the coalition inherited a 'mess',...
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Federated Farmers urges Government to deliver on pre-election promise for young farmers
Federated Farmers is calling on the Government to deliver on National’s pre-election promise to change KiwiSaver rules to help young farmers get their foot on the...
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Budget 2025: ACT's David Seymour outlines Government's priorities
ACT's leader says the Government's really pulling back spending as Budget Day nears. On May 22, spending priorities and cost saving initiatives will be confirmed...
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The Panel: Unpacking the results of the latest methane survey
Today’s farmer/politician panel, consisting of National's Grant McCallum and former President of Federated Farmers Andrew Hoggard, ponders the methane survey conducted...
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'An encouraging sign': Luxon hopeful after UK strikes trade deal with India
A free trade deal struck between India and the UK is giving confidence to New Zealand's efforts. The mutually beneficial agreement cuts import taxes and tariffs...
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Former Labour MP unpacks implications of the Australian and Canadian elections
Australia and Canada's general elections have just wrapped up - and the results indicate left-wing politics are gaining more popularity, according to some. Former...
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Prime Minister promises 'tight' Budget as Government works to get books in order
The Government's tightening departmental spending as Budget Day nears. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has confirmed almost all Government agencies will get NO additional...
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ACT's David Seymour explains why he's taken the side of the banks
The Minister for Regulation believes his Ministry has given him 'rubbish' advice on banking rules. David Seymour appears to be siding with banks rather than officials...
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Trade Minister reveals NZ among countries not seeking trade deal with US
Our Government has confirmed New Zealand isn't among the countries seeking a new trade deal with the US. President Donald Trump says he hopes to reach agreement...
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OCR update: Could the Reserve Bank have further cuts coming?
The Reserve Bank is set to deliver another OCR update at the end of next month - and experts are speculating about what could come next. Cameron Bagrie from Bagrie...
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Tariff turmoil: Prime Minister Luxon reiterates he's on the same page as Peters
The Prime Minister's aiming to strike the balance between staying calm on tariffs - and opposing them. US President Donald Trump is hinting he might lower tariffs...
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Strong Chinese demand helps boost NZ's meat sector - report
Chinese demand for Kiwi red meat has spiked as the China-US tariff tit-for-tat continues. Donald Trump has imposed 145 percent tariffs on China - matched by 125...
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'A good sign': Shane Jones voices support for new wool directive
New Zealand's self-professed Prince of the Provinces has voiced support with a new Government directive. From July, all new Crown agency builds costing more than...
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PM Luxon questions the fairness of US tariffs
New Zealand's asking the US whether imposing 10 percent tariffs is fair. President Donald Trump announced mass tariffs last week - triggering market chaos and retaliatory...
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PM Luxon doubles down on 'personal responsibility' regarding school lunches
The Prime Minister says the Government is trying to bring back the idea of Kiwis having rights and responsibilities. A majority of respondents in an RNZ-Reid Research...
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Trump's 'Liberation Day': What can economists expect?
President Donald Trump has spent the last few weeks promoting April 2nd as 'Liberation Day' - the day where a significant number of tariffs will be announced. The...
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ACT's David Seymour weighs up costs of staying in the Paris Accord
David Seymour says New Zealand need to weigh up the benefits - and the costs - of staying in the Paris Climate Accord. The US' withdrawal from the agreement has...
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Labour's Chris Hipkins criticises Green MP Tamatha Paul over latest comments
Opposition leader Chris Hipkins has offered his own criticisms over a Green MP's controversial comments. Wellington Central MP Tamatha Paul claimed many feel less...
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Luxon explains why staying in the Paris Accord is good for NZ
The Prime Minister says staying in the Paris Climate Accord is in the country's best interests. National's coalition partners - ACT and New Zealand First - want...
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Minister McClay explains trade deal with India hasn't been abandoned
The Trade Minister says the elusive dairy element of a free trade agreement with India hasn't been abandoned. Todd McClay is with Prime Minister Chris Luxon in New...
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Federated Farmers’ banking spokesman calls for the Reserve Bank to change capital rules
Federated Farmers’ banking spokesman is calling for the Reserve Bank to change its' banking capital rules to benefit Kiwi farmers. Richard McIntyre has labelled...
