Fears that NZ milk products could contain bacterium that may cause botulism is big news in China, with the story featuring prominently in major newspapers.

Authorities have recalled up to 1000 tonnes of dairy products across NZ and seven others, after Fonterra announced tests had found a bacterium that could cause botulism.

The potential contamination of Fonterra products with botulism occurred as a result of a dirty pipe at the company's Hautapu plant, it says.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has signalled he will dump a plan to exempt firms holding Maori fishing quota from a law change which outlaws the use of foreign flagged fishing vessels in New Zealand.

Irradiated Australian tomatoes and capsicums will arrive for the first time on shop shelves soon.

Recreational fishers face big cuts to the number of snapper fish they can catch in one of New Zealand's most popular fishing areas.

An agreement has been reached in Beijing to ensure New Zealand meat exports to China can resume on a normal basis.

Farms, homes and roads would be totally submerged in a massive dam lake under proposed irrigation plans for Wairarapa.

An attempt by an airline passenger to bring two crates of fresh mangoes into NZ could have had dire consequences if the fruit reached our orchards, says border security.

An important fertiliser aid has been culled from farmers' chemical shopping lists after it turned up in milk products destined for human consumption.

A snake which made its way into New Zealand from Vanuatu has been intercepted at a Manukau scrap yard.

Kiwi fish are causing a stink overseas. At the heart of the scandal is the snoek - thyrsites atun - known here as barracouta. South Africa's City Press newspaper reported Kiwi barracouta was being sold in that country as snoek.