New mural celebrates Hastings' rural past
The old Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Co-op Association garage in Hastings has become home to a new mural celebrating the activities that happened in the building.
A new solo exhibition by Manawatu artist Graham Christensen captures rural scenes that may someday be forgotten.
On Sunday the 17th of February, Christensen will be opening his second solo exhibition 'Classic New Zealand Farming' in Mangaweka.
The exhibition aims to capture rural moments in time that will likely be forgotten as each generation of farmer moves on.
Christensen has spent most of his life involved in farming, mainly in the Manawatu, but only started painting in his 60s.
Classic New Zealand Farming opens on Sunday the 17th of February at 2pm with an opportunity to meet the artist over drinks and nibbles at the Yellow Church Gallery, State Highway 1, Mangaweka.

As part of its Election 2026 coverage, Rural News asked political parties how they would help pull the arable sector out of the doldrums. Here's what they said:
Farmers are being encouraged to rethink how they manage waste on farm with the launch of ruralwastesorted.co.nz, a new website bringing together practical tips, real farmer experiences and resources.
New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) is celebrating the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) coming into force today, bringing New Zealand wine improved access to one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
New Zealand’s red meat sector has welcomed the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement taking effect, which removes India’s 33% tariff on New Zealand sheepmeat.
More than 95 per cent of New Zealand’s forestry and wood exports to India can now enter tariff free as the New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement comes into force today.
Federated Farmers is backing Feilding High School’s call to keep Agriculture and Horticultural Science as a standalone subject in Year 11.