The Enduring Land - The Designers

Television (Full Length Episode) – 1990

New Zealand’s agriculture sector is built on do-it-yourself ingenuity, guided by pioneering research and innovation. Presenter Ruud Kleinpaste (host of Buggin' with Ruud) traces the history of New Zealand farming and agriculture in this four-part documentary series. This episode explores humble beginnings with improvised inventions to the modern high-tech operations of today. Milking machines and shearing equipment have changed the work day for farmers, while research into livestock disease and selective breeding has vastly improved the quality and quantity of farm animals.

Factory amalgamations hurt small towns, but the pressure of the international marketplace is irresistible. There isn’t room for small, less efficient factories if the dairy industry is to survive. What it requires are large flexible factories that can diversify their products at short notice as demands change.
– Presenter Ruud Kleinpaste on how refrigerated milk tankers affected milk factories