Northland MP and NZ First leader Winston Peters says Northport is the logical place to take Auckland's shipping freight, saving hundreds of millions of dollars.

A UK or EU slowdown poses dangers if it ripples to our food markets, says expert.

Shipping operators favour a future replacement for the current Auckland port to be sited at the Firth of Thames over Manukau Harbour.

Business optimism jumps on the back of construction and tourism industries.

Dairy, meat and wine industries anticipate toll on sales as British vote strengthens currency and upsets market.

New Zealand's sheepmeat exports and tourists from the UK may be the hardest hit from the Brexit.

New Zealand posted a bigger than expected trade surplus in May as exports of logs, fruit jump.

WATCH: Despite the dairy downturn a big lift in kiwifruit and apple exports has boosted agricultural revenue.

Horticulture led the rise in New Zealand commodity prices last month.

New Zealand posted a bigger-than-expected trade surplus in April as volumes of kiwifruit and apples drove exports.

New Zealand export log prices advanced this month as a decline in the local currency made the country's shipments more competitive, offsetting a lift in shipping costs.

NZ's relationship with the Philippines is in great shape and growing as the two countries celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations.

The Ports of Auckland must be moved for the growth and prosperity of the city, say three mayoral candidates.

Grease found on a quantity of export-bound kiwifruit early this month did not pose a risk to consumer safety.

Export growth is on the cards for the Kiwi wine industry this year amid rising global demand, says rural lending specialist Rabobank.

Signals that New Zealand could secure a better deal on its Free Trade Agreement with China is a "beacon of hope" for our dairy industry, said the head of an export association.

Prime Minister John Key will visit China this month to discuss the free trade agreement between the two countries.

New Zealand's biggest export - dairy - continues to suffer from oversupply and soft demand but other parts of the primary sector are booming.

What does an ex-All Black captain do when he's done and dusted with the game?

Farmers will have the opportunity to hedge their bets on the farmgate milk price when the NZX launches a milk price futures contract next month.

NZX, the financial markets operator, is developing a new market offering New Zealand dairy farmers a way to lessen the risk of volatile milk prices.

"Pleasant surprise" at global dairy auction.

Commodity prices fell 1.3 per cent in March as weaker dairy, forestry and seafood prices outweighed meat prices.

Strengthening NZ dollar, increased output from Europe and reduced imports from China add to poor outlook.

COMMENT: The dollar is not coming to the rescue of struggling dairy farmers. It's coming to the rescue of retailers, motorists, gourmet food importers.

COMMENT: Does economics still believe in free trade?

New Zealand's merchant trade surplus reached $339 million in February.

COMMENT: Fonterra has made the right call by accelerating dividend payments instead of extending its dairy farmer shareholders loan package, writes Fran O'Sullivan.