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.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has won an air cargo cartel appeal against Air New Zealand.

New Zealand could become a major exporter of gas to Asia, Energy and Resources minister Simon Bridges says.

World dairy prices went against market expectations and fell 2.9 per cent decline at the latest GlobalDairyTrade auction.

Futures market pricing suggests tomorrow morning's GlobalDairyTrade auction will be flat to slightly better.

High Court rules 9700 emails detailing exports must be released by ministry.

Sharemilkers and young people are leaving the industry as pay opportunities worsen.

The kiwi dollar has dropped this morning after Fonterra cut its farmer payout for the second time this year.

Five other countries have informally expressed interest in joining the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement.

New Zealand wholesale trade dips in fourth quarter on decline in basic material products.

Embattled dairy farmers were offered a glimmer of hope when world prices firmed for the first time this year.

Rise of 1.4 per cent ends a four-sale losing streak.

Modest 1.4 per cent gain an end to four-sale losing streak.

Population growth, construction and tourism offset declines in NZ dairy prices.

To the extent that robots become a less expensive input than labor in the production process, multinationals will be encouraged to "onshore" output to move it closer to their customer bases.

New Zealand unexpectedly posted a trade surplus last month as exports rose more than forecast, with higher shipments of wood, dairy and fruit.

President Barack Obama told governors Monday that he remains "cautiously optimistic" that Congress will approve a sweeping trade deal with 11 Pacific Rim nations this year.

Excess supply in industry augurs tough six months.

Ports of Auckland posted a 9.5 percent increase in first-half profit as the country's third-biggest port slashed its maintenance bill.

New Zealand could miss the boat as an exporter of medicinal cannabis, horticulture expert Dr Mike Nichols said.

Port of Tauranga, New Zealand's biggest port company, reported a 9 per cent drop in first-half profit as export log volumes fell.

Westpac is forecasting a Fonterra farmgate milk price of $4 this season and $4.60 in 2016/17.

A shortage of avocados combined with increasing demand for the fruit has seen prices soar this season.

Music sensation Stan Walker has spoken out against supporting the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Fonterra's latest farmgate milk price forecast is already under downward pressure after dairy prices fell for the third time in a row at this morning's GlobalDairyTrade auction.

The value of honey exports jumped to $285 million in 2015 from $202 million in 2014, according to the latest data.

New Zealand exporters say they are concerned that a political consensus on trade has been lost after the Labour Party came out against the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

New Zealand wine exports have reached a new record high for the 2015 year.