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.
Episodes
Rabobank Best of The Country: June 13, 2026
Jamie talks to Christopher Luxon and Todd McClay, Ray Smith, Kate Acland and Kate Scott, and Winston Peters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country Full Show: Friday, June 12, 2026
Jamie Mackay talks to Sir David Fagan, Mike Green, Emma Poole, Adam Thompson, Kevin "Smiley" Barrett, Riley Kennedy, Tom Young, Winston Peters, Campbell Parker, Tania Houghton, and Hunter Darry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 12/06/26: Sir David Fagan and Mike Green talk to Jamie Mackay
A shearing legend pops into The Country’s site for a yarn about the Rural Industry Leaders event earlier in the week, and electric quad bikes. Plus, the man behind the Rural Industry Leaders dinner, debate and auction estimates the event raised $430,000 for the Rural Support Trust.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 12/06/26: Emma Poole and Adam Thompson talk to Jamie Mackay
Today’s Fieldays farmer panel is the 2023 Young Farmer of the Year and the founder of Restore Native.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 12/06/26: Kevin "Smiley" Barrett talks to Jamie Mackay
We talk a bit of footy with the father of three All Blacks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 12/06/26: Riley Kennedy talks to Jamie Mackay
Time to catch up with BusinessDesk senior journalist and Jamie Mackay's Fieldays housemate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 12/06/26: Tom Young talks to Jamie Mackay
The national livestock manager for Affco on the red meat bonanza and the best lunch at Fieldays.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 12/06/26: Winston Peters talks to Jamie Mackay
NZ First leader on shaking things up with Shane Jones at Fieldays. Plus, he talks about the state of farming, a recent positive poll, and superannuation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 12/06/26: Campbell Parker talks to Jamie Mackay
DairyNZ's chief executive is at Fieldays. He talks about farmer advocacy, cost pressures on the sector, and where DairyNZ's farmer levy is spent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 12/06/26: Tanya Houghton talks to Jamie Mackay
Farmlands’ chief executive and our host for Fieldays wraps the week. She discusses Farmlands’ partnership with the Rural Support Trust and digital wellbeing platform Ignite to deliver a free online mental health and wellbeing service for farmers and growers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 12/06/26: Hunter Darry talks to Jamie Mackay
Time for a chat with another footy dad; the national sales manager at Donaghys Ltd, whose son Sam is an All Black lock.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country Full Show: Thursday, June 11, 2026
Jamie Mackay talks to Chris Hipkins, Ray Smith, Shane Jones, Rowland Smith, Ingrid Smith, Mike Casey, Kate Acland and Kate Scott.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 11/06/26: Chris Hipkins talks to Jamie Mackay
Labour’s leader discusses the latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries report (SOPI) and the current Government’s comments on carbon credits. He also defended his party’s public transport policy, which Mackay described as “underwhelming”.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 11/06/26: Ray Smith talks to Jamie Mackay
We catch up with the Director General of MPI, who proudly presented the Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries report this morning at Fieldays.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 11/06/26: Shane Jones talks to Jamie Mackay
The Prince of the Provinces holds court at Fieldays. He was on the receiving end of the best burn last night at the Rural Support Trust debate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 11/06/26: Rowland and Ingrid Smith talk to Jamie Mackay
We catch up with New Zealand’s power farming couple - the world champion shearer and "The Made Up Farmer”.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 11/06/26: Mike Casey talks to Jamie Mackay
The chief executive of Rewiring Aotearoa is all fired up about solar and battery-powered farming.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 11/06/26: Kate Acland and Kate Scott talk to Jamie Mackay
The chairwoman of Beef + Lamb NZ on the great red meat numbers from the SOPI report - meat and wool up 14% to $14.1 billion. Plus, the chief executive of Horticulture NZ on how the sector has grown 7.5% to $9 billion, leaving forestry in its wake.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dairy Insights with Fonterra: Chris Kane
Michelle Watt talks to Chris Kane, Fonterra’s Director of New Zealand Manufacturing, about the winners at this year's Best Site Cup.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country Full Show: Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Fieldays day one: Jamie Mackay talks to Christopher Luxon, Todd McClay, Todd Charteris, Lawrence Meredith, Tim Ewing-Jarvie, Sam Whitelock, Mark de Lautour, and Dominic Jones.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 10/06/26: Christopher Luxon and Todd McClay talk to Jamie Mackay
The Country catches up with the Prime Minister by phone and the Minister of Agriculture in person at Fieldays. McClay talks about the “Minister of Agriculture Future Leaders Scholarship”, backing three emerging primary sector leaders. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 10/06/26: Todd Charteris talks to Jamie Mackay
Rabobank chief executive previews Thursday’s Fieldays breakfast, featuring Agriculture, Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay and Rabo senior market strategist Ben Picton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 10/06/26: Lawrence Meredith talks to Jamie Mackay
The EU Ambassador to New Zealand on the value of two-way trade.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 10/06/26: Tim Ewing-Jarvie talks to Jamie Mackay
The managing director of Horizon Lab discusses global risk and future scenarios in relation to the Middle East conflict.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 10/06/26: Sam Whitelock talks to Jamie Mackay
Farmstrong's Ambassador has been chewing the fat with farmers at Fieldays. The former All Black captain talks about his move from sheep and beef back to the family dairy farm and, of course, a bit of rugby.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 10/06/26: Mark de Lautour talks to Jamie Mackay
We ask Open Country Dairy's chief executive about the 25/26 season payout and what's up for the next season. Plus, where’s Mackay’s free cheese?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 10/06/26: Dominic Jones talks to Jamie Mackay
We talk about kiwifruit with the managing director of Origin Capital Partners.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country Full Show: Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Jamie Mackay talks to Dan Coup, Jack Jensen, Hunter McGregor, Shane McManaway, and Chris Russell. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 09/06/26: Dan Coup talks to Jamie Mackay
The QEII Trust chief executive welcomes the doubling of funding for the more than 5400 QEII covenants that now protect almost 190,000 hectares of privately owned land across New Zealand, with the vast majority located on farms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 09/06/26: Jack Jensen talks to Jamie Mackay
A part-time Hawke’s Bay sheep and beef farmer, an extreme sports exponent, social media influencer, and rural mental health champion who will be working with Farmstrong at Fieldays.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 09/06/26: Hunter McGregor talks to Jamie Mackay
Our Shanghai-based correspondent talks about barbecue season, beef quotas into China and the world’s biggest spokeless Ferris Wheel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 09/06/26: Shane McManaway talks to Jamie Mackay
A high-profile Wairarapa farmer, health advocate, and celebrated philanthropist, reflects on 47 years of attending Fieldays.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 09/06/26: Chris Russell talks to Jamie Mackay
Today we find our Australian correspondent in Napier, as we discuss record beef and mutton prices, nervous cropping farmers and a locust plague in Victoria.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country Full Show: Monday, June 8, 2026
Jamie Mackay talks to Wayne Langford, David Seymour, Farmer Tom Martin, Blair McLean, and Phil Duncan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 08/06/26: Wayne Langford talks to Jamie Mackay
Federated Farmers has launched a five-point plan for the next government, setting out what it says should be a major focus for political parties heading into the November election. President Wayne Langford says the organisation’s election platform, Backing Kiwi Farmers, is a practical blueprint for whichever parties form the next government.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information
The Country 08/06/26: David Seymour talks to Jamie Mackay
The Act Party leader and Deputy PM talks about Fieldays and why he’s leaving a lot of the heavy lifting there to his Ag Spokesperson, Andrew Hoggard. We also pay tribute to the departing Mark Cameron and cast a critical eye over the Labour Party list rankings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 08/06/26: Farmer Tom Martin talks to Jamie Mackay
Our UK correspondent says the drought is over, thanks to a Lords Cricket test and Wimbledon on the horizon. We also look at diversification from unprofitable arable farming and whether Andy Burnham will be the next British PM.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 08/06/26: Blair McLean talks to Jamie Mackay
Our viticulture correspondent looks at an industry facing a wine glut and some headwinds as younger consumers look for products with less alcohol and fewer calories.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 08/06/26: Phil Duncan talks to Jamie Mackay
Monday’s weatherman has a Fieldays forecast. And it’s all good. But could fog be an issue at the airport?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rabobank Best of The Country: June 6, 2026
Jamie Mackay talks to Sir David Ellis, Geoff Maber, Rachel Law, Shane Jones, and Jen Corkran. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country Full Show: Friday, June 5, 2026
Jamie Mackay talks to Nathan Guy, Stu Duncan, Stu Loe, Chris Brandolino and Barry Soper. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 05/06/26: Nathan Guy talks to Jamie Mackay
The former Minister for Primary Industries and current NZ Special Ag Trade Envoy, just back in the country, talks about Trump’s latest tariff debacle. Plus we look at the perilous state of the honey industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 05/06/26: Stu Duncan and Stu Loe talk to Jamie Mackay
Today’s panel talks farming and footy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 05/06/26: Chris Brandolino talks to Jamie Mackay
We are a nation of haves and have-nots when it comes to rain. And temperatures are set to drop this weekend. So says Earth Sciences NZ’s "Friday Weatherman".See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 05/06/26: Barry Soper talks to Jamie Mackay
We reflect on the NZ Radio Awards and ask, why did we send four no-name politicians to Taiwan? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country Full Show: Thursday, June 4, 2026
Jamie Mackay talks to Shane Jones, Jen Corkran, Andrew Gibson, Chris Russell, and Simon Butler. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 04/06/26: Shane Jones talks to Jamie Mackay
We find the self-anointed Prince of the Provinces at Marsden Point, where he’s claiming glory for saving the nation in election year! We also discuss his role in the Rural Industry Leaders Debate at Fieldays, and the six animal welfare complaints lodged with MPI after he “cradled a crayfish in its final hours” in Parliament. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio
The Country 04/06/26: Jen Corkran talks to Jamie Mackay
Rabobank’s senior animal protein analyst previews the bank’s June Agribusiness Monthly Report, which has good news on the income side of the ledger for dairy, sheep and beef, but not such good news when it comes to the cost of farm inputs, oil and freight and interest rates.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 04/06/26: Andrew Gibson talks to Jamie Mackay
PGG Wrightson’s Taranaki Livestock Manager updates the dairy cow and beef bull sales.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 04/06/26: Chris Russell talks to Jamie Mackay
Our Australian correspondent talks Pauline Hanson, the "Unlucky" Country, and how to get rid of rabbits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 04/06/26: Simon Butler talks to Jamie Mackay
We talk cow nutrition and supplements v grass with an expert in the field.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country Full Show: Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Jamie Mackay talks to Christopher Luxon, Matt Bolger, Mia Ryan, and Dr Jacqueline Rowarth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 03/06/26: Christopher Luxon talks to Jamie Mackay
The Prime Minister ponders his Fieldays plans, the latest Roy Morgan poll, and whether we are freeloading on defence spending. Plus, should we remain nuclear-free, and why should we even contemplate bailing out Moana Pasifika?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 03/06/26: Matt Bolger talks to Jamie Mackay
From the PM to a former PM's son, we ask Fonterra's MD for Co-op Affairs about the first GDT Auction of the new dairy season and whether he's read Barry Soper's book about his late father, Jim. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 03/06/26: Mia Ryan talks to Jamie Mackay
A rural dating app is launching in New Zealand this week, making it a little easier for people in rural and regional communities to meet someone new. Howdy, created by 24-year-old NSW-based farmer and university student Mia Ryan, has already grown to more than 30,000 users since launching in Australia in March 2024. The platform is now opening to New Zealanders for the first time, in ass
The Country 03/06/26: Dr Jacqueline Rowarth talks to Jamie Mackay
It’s seven sleeps until Fieldays, and we ask a leading primary sector academic about her role in the big Rural Industry Leaders Debate, which is raising money for the Rural Support Trust. We also discuss her latest column, which poses the question: Is diversification always better for NZ farming?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country Full Show: Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Jamie Mackay talks to Sir David Ellis, Geoff Maber, Rachel Law, Professor Keith Woodford, and Phil Duncan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 02/06/26: Sir David Ellis talks to Jamie Mackay
Arise, Sir David, Principal of the Te Akau Stud, for services to the thoroughbred industry and philanthropy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 02/06/26: Geoff Maber talks to Jamie Mackay
The man behind the Power Farming Group has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to agribusiness.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 02/06/26: Rachel Law talks to Jamie Mackay
We take a break from the King’s Birthday Honours List to yarn to just the third woman in the 116-year history of the NZ Dog Trial Champs to lift a national title - in her case, the Straight Hunt with her huntaway Nala.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 02/06/26: Professor Keith Woodford talks to Jamie Mackay
A man whose name is synonymous with agribusiness, academia and Lincoln University has been appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 02/06/26: Phil Duncan talks to Jamie Mackay
Monday’s resident weatherman on a Tuesday. It was a tough long weekend for some with flooding and slips.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
DairyNZ Update: Steve Veix, Farm Systems Team Manager
On this episode of DairyNZ Update, Michelle Watt talks to Steve Veix, Farm Systems Team Manager at DairyNZ, about the ways farmers can prepare and plan ahead for the El Niño weather forecast, and what this weather pattern could mean for farming in different regions. Find out more about El Niño, and how you can plan ahead on the DairyNZ website www.dairynz.co.nz &n
Rabobank Best of The Country: May 30, 2026
Jamie Mackay talks to Emma Higgins, Christopher Luxon, David Buick, Richard Allen, and Jane Smith.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country Full Show: Friday, May 29, 2026
Jamie Mackay talks to Chris Brandolino, Jeremy Rookes, Steve Wyn-Harris, Rachel Shearer, Rocky Hawkins, Allan Paterson, and Barry Soper. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 29/05/26: Chris Brandolino talks to Jamie Mackay
We ask "Friday’s Favourite Weatherman" whether the run of settled weather will come to an end over the long weekend. Heavy rain and strong winds may reach warning criteria from Sunday onwards. The unsettled weather will bring a warm start to meteorological winter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 29/05/26: Jeremy Rookes and Steve Wyn-Harris talk to Jamie Mackay
Today’s farmer panel ponders the dry of Canterbury and Hawke’s Bay, sheep farming hitting new highs, and whether the Government should be funding Moana Pacifica.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 29/05/26: Rachel Shearer talks to Jamie Mackay
The GM of PGG Wrightson Wool says sheep farming is “Back, Baby Back” and so is strong wool!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 29/05/26: Rocky Hawkins talks to Jamie Mackay
We update the final day of the New Zealand Dog Trial Championships in Hawke’s Bay.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 29/05/26: Allan Paterson talks to Jamie Mackay
It’s Isuzu’s "Mid Winter Muster" (June 5-7), and it’s your chance to sneak in a great deal on a D-MAX or MU-X before Fieldays.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 29/05/26: Barry Soper talks to Jamie Mackay
Bazza on the Budget and books.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country Full Show: Thursday, May 28, 2026
Jamie Mackay talks to Richard Allen, Jane Smith, Grant McBeath, Liz Muller, and Chris Russell.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 28/05/26: Richard Allen talks to Jamie Mackay
Fonterra’s new chief executive kicks off his tenure with some very solid Q3 business results, headlined by an opening 26/27 season milk forecast price of $9-75 (midpoint).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 28/05/26: Jane Smith talks to Jamie Mackay
North Otago farmer and award-winning environmentalist. Today she talks about Angus bulls, a 22% rates rise, and climate change.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 28/05/26: Grant McBeath talks to Jamie Mackay
The chief executive of niche grower Rockit Apples says the business is halfway through a three-year turnaround strategy, after grower concerns last year about low returns, oversupply and the high cost of production.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 28/05/26: Liz Muller talks to Jamie Mackay
The chief executive of Herd-i explains why the AI dairy-cow herd-monitoring business does a much better job than the human eye at body condition scoring and lameness detection. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 28/05/26: Chris Russell talks to Jamie Mackay
Our Australian correspondent talks State of Origin, the Ag Rich List, and some good rains in NSW ahead of the Super El Nino.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country Full Show: Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Jamie Mackay talks to Christopher Luxon, David Buick, Hunter McGregor, and Riley Kennedy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 27/05/26: Christopher Luxon talks to Jamie Mackay
The Prime Minister ponders today’s OCR announcement, tomorrow’s Budget, Labour’s own goal over horses and ducks, and the NZ First threat in Hawke’s Bay.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Country 27/05/26: David Buick talks to Jamie Mackay
We tell you the inspirational story of one of New Zealand’s leading shearers, who was almost buried alive in 2021. We learn how he fought back to win the NZ Shears title in 2024 and the Tararua Sheep and Beef Business of the Year in 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
