One fact is often overlooked amid all the hype about business opportunities in China.

Prime Minister John Key says overseas markets are causing high prices for milk at home.

The account surplus was larger-than-expected in the first quarter as spending by tourists widened the services balance.

Dairy prices slipped again at this morning's GlobalDairyTrade auction, the GDT price index falling by 1.3 per cent.

Fonterra has once again successfully tapped into the so-called dim sum bond market in Hong Kong by this week raising 1 billion renminbi ($230 million) through a five-year bond.

More falls in dairy prices are expected in the next few months, but futures market pricing suggests a mild bounce-back might take place at tomorrow's GlobalDairyTrade auction.

Opposition parties have labelled Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings' $4.18m salary as "absurd".

Fonterra chairman John Wilson says he knows farmers are increasingly anxious about low farm-gate milk prices.

It hasn't been a great week for investment bankers on both sides of the Tasman.

Media were told that hundreds of Fonterra jobs were to be axed, hours before staff heard the news.

Fonterra management had no choice but to restructure, writes Liam Dann. But it is cosmetic surgery for a patient that requires much more fundamental medical attention.

Highly-paid head office managers are expected to be in Fonterra's sights as it slashes hundreds of administrative jobs to cope with falling global milk prices.

Market analysts and dairy industry players say Fonterra needs to improve its performance and while job cuts are unfortunate, big changes are required.

Auckland Council should follow the lead of Fonterra, which is laying off hundreds of staff in response to low dairy prices, says Orakei councillor Cameron Brewer.

Fonterra says it will lay off hundreds of its 1500 head office staff in a major review following the decline in dairy prices.

AgriHQ forecasts increased milk production and a higher forecast payout to dairy farmers will bolster the economy.

Is global consulting firm McKinsey reviewing management at Fonterra? Seems so, though Fonterra won't confirm it.

The sale of Lochinver station to Chinese interests spearheaded by Shanghai Pengxin reignited concerns about farm sales to foreigners during the election campaign.

The only topic that seems to be competing with Auckland house prices at present seems to be the declining Fonterra payout, and what it means for the economy as a whole.

The dollar touched a four-month low against the euro after the European Central Bank lifted its inflation forecast.

The yawning gap between supply and demand once again made its presence felt at the latest GlobalDairyTrade (GDT) auction.

The ANZ Commodity Price Index for May fell by 4.7pc, following April's 7.4 per cent decline.

The dollar rose even after dairy product prices unexpectedly fell in the latest GlobalDairyTrade auction.

International dairy prices continued to fall as the market struggles to recover from a supply/demand imbalance and subdued demand from China.

The kiwi touched 70.65 US cents in an illiquid market yesterday, its lowest level since August 2010.

The next eight months will be lean for dairy farmers but Rabobank NZ chief Ben Russell says he is confident the downturn will be cyclical and one most farmers can cope with.

Trust set-up raises issue of whether farmer shareholder and external investor interests in Fonterra are fully aligned.