TODAY on COUNTRYWIDE CONNECT

Wednesday 15 July 2026 | 11:00am – 1:00pm
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11:05am – Mark Hooper
Federated Farmers Banking Spokesperson
Falling farm mortgage numbers on the back of stronger farm returns, and concerns over councils rushing iwi agreements.
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11:18am – Chris Gourley
Fern Energy
The latest fuel market update and what’s driving prices at the pump.
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11:33am – Paul McGill
Head of Innovation and Extension, Pāmu
Pāmu’s purpose-built methane measurement facility near Taupō and the role it will play in agricultural research.
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11:48am – Hayley Fitchett & Chris Jenkins
Environment Southland
How farmers can prepare for a possible El Niño and the seasonal outlook ahead.
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12:00pm – RURAL NEWS UPDATE
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12:03pm – Cameron Bagrie
Economist
Fonterra’s payout downgrade, the outlook for interest rates and farm input costs, and the wider economic picture amid global political uncertainty.
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12:18pm – Libby Price
Australian Rural Commentator
Why rice production in Australia is coming under pressure from rising irrigation costs, and what it could mean for food production.
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12:48pm – Toby Williams & Duncum Humm
North–South Farmer Panel
The weekly panel on the issues making headlines on farms across New Zealand.
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1:00pm – Show ends