Country TV is a New Zealand television service focused on rural life, agribusiness, equestrian interests and rural sports. Here “country” describes that setting and community interest; the official program collection is not a country-music channel listing.
Its published examples move between practical occupations, journeys, local culture and competition. The result is a wider rural entertainment offering than either a farming-news bulletin or an uninterrupted horse-sports service.
At a glance
| Reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Context | Rural New Zealand television |
| Documentary example | Hoiho Riding On |
| Archive programme | Retro Motorsport covers 2000–2012 |
Rural life can be told through a person or a community
The Bush Bee Man follows Mark's beekeeping in South Australia's Riverland. Its subject is a person's work and experiences, which offers a different point of view from a studio discussion of agriculture. Back Roads looks at Australian towns and their residents, giving the collection a community-travel strand alongside occupational stories.
Big Coast takes another route, connecting boating, saltwater angling, wildlife settings and local culture. These programs show that a rural-interest channel can include Australian and other overseas stories without making every production a report about New Zealand farming.
The Beer Pioneer combines travel and history through Matt Stewart's visits to Australian breweries and pubs. It is a specific travel-entertainment format within the collection, rather than a general label for all of Country TV's factual programming.
Horse culture and horse competition are different subjects
Young Riders follows people on New Zealand's show-jumping circuit. Hoiho Riding On, hosted by Lizzie Rangihuna, approaches Aotearoa's horse culture through riders, trainers, whānau and community knowledge. Its documentary interest extends to the relationships and traditions surrounding horses.
The broadcaster also lists international equestrian competition, including a 2025–26 FEI Jumping World Cup heading and Aachen 2026 coverage. A competition listing and a horse-culture documentary therefore address different interests. One is organized around a sporting event; the other can focus on the people and practices that continue beyond a result.
Historical sport has a distinct place
Retro Motorsport is described as an archive selection covering 2000–2012, with examples including two- and four-wheel motorsport, powerboats and karting. Its historical period is part of the program's identity. It should not be mistaken for a promise of the latest race live.
Country TV's weekday feature pages explain these programs, while its monthly guide identifies the dated lineup. The named production is the useful unit for understanding the channel: beekeeping, community travel, horse culture and archive racing are related rural interests with quite different formats.
Useful answers
Does Country TV mainly mean country music?
The broadcaster describes a rural New Zealand remit: agribusiness, rural lifestyle, equestrian programming and rural sports. Its named examples include documentaries, travel and historical motorsport.
How does Hoiho Riding On differ from a show-jumping event?
Its published description follows Aotearoa’s horse culture, people, whānau and traditions. A show-jumping competition is organized around the sporting event itself.