Most Kiwis can probably hum the tune to Country Calendar, or at least roll it over in their heads while tapping it out on the steering wheel.

The show, which tells the stories of hardworking folk from the heartland, is now in its 45th year, making it New Zealand's longest running television show. It came to life in April 1966 at a time when wool was one of the mainstays of the country's economy.

This DVD is a celebration of the 45 years of Country Calendar with a collection of episodes chosen by Executive Producer Frank Torley, who has been with the Country Calendar team for the past 35 years, and is the voice of the show.

Country Calendar Director's Pick episodes:
Class 8 Country
Deer Capture
Snow Raking
Sweat Steam and the Straw Walloper
Orange Roughy
Blind Bee Farmer
Twins
Wild Cattle McGarrie
Autumn Muster Wild Cattle
Vines On the Hill
Colour of the Land

Special Features

• Captions for the hearing impaired where available.
• A catch up on each story.

“I've been asked to select a dozen of my favourite episodes of Country Calendar and what a task it's been! Selecting just twelve has been unbelievably difficult. I didn't want to be selfish and choose only my stories, and that made the job a little easier. Then I had to consider the geographical spread; the stories couldn't all be from one area of New Zealand. And so the selection process continued until I made my final choices, and here they are. Are they the best? No! Are they memorable? Yes… to me anyway. Starting in the South Island high country to investigate the retirement of grazing land prone to erosion then off to the West Coast to capture wild deer. We join a team rescuing sheep caught in drifts during a severe snow storm in Omarama, Otago. Vintage farm machinery enthusiasts in Canterbury re-enact an old fashioned wheat harvest, and to the sea on the research ship, the Tangaroa, to see the extent of over fishing of orange roughy. We meet a courageous dairy farmer from the Waikato who overcame accidental blindness and took up bee keeping instead. In the Central North Island, fifteen year old twins are managing a huge hill country farm. A team of men from Ruatoria on the East Coast attempt to muster wild cattle from the bush. A different muster on Branches Station, a magnificent spot in Otago, but so remote. A real character in Northland who is breaking in his land and has plans to venture into tourism. A couple in Hawkes Bay who knew nothing about growing grapes but now run a successful winery. Finally, Dunston Downs Station, Otago, to join the mustering team which includes an artist who doubles as the cook.” Frank Torley