Federated Farmers Dairy chair Lachlan McKenzie responds to recent controversy over the mistreatment of animals on a NZ dairy farm.

Inspectors have begun urgent checks on the welfare of livestock at farms owned by the Crafar family, amid concerns that publicity over alleged cruelty could harm New Zealand's reputation.

Agriculture Minister David Carter says 'dirty dairy farmer' Allan Crafar could do huge damage to New Zealand's reputation.

Fonterra says it won't hesitate to take action, "including refusal to collect milk" if deliberate animal mistreatment is proven.

New Zealand's biggest privately held dairying operation allowed dozens of calves to slowly dehydrate to death.

Fonterra, New Zealand's biggest exporter, has unveiled its latest restructuring plan, which it promises will allow farmers to keep control of the co-operative.

Greenpeace is trying to keep up pressure on Fonterra to limit its use of palm kernel feed with a public rally outside the Ports of Tauranga.

Farmers have described Greenpeace's occupation of an inbound cargo vessel as 'economic treason.'

Police make second arrest while expressing serious safety concerns for activists aboard a cargo ship off the Tauranga coast.