An Australian appeal to the WTO against a ruling it must accept our apple exports has failed.

NZ posted a smaller-than-expected trade deficit in October as the nation lifted exports, led by a surge in shipments of dairy and logs.

Tapware maker Methven says the slower than expected economic recovery has forced it to cut full year guidance.

The possibility of a credit rating downgrade for NZ reflects global concerns, and is 'more of a warning' says Finance Minister Bill English.

Federated Farmers want a ban on pollen imports and an end to artificial pollination of kiwifruit after Psa was found in pollen samples.

Samples of kiwifruit pollen collected from the Bay of Plenty and South Auckland over the past two years contain the bacteria that cause vine canker.

NZ's economic recovery is progressing 'very slowly' and 'could yet be a prolonged process,' the Governor of the Reserve Bank says.

NZ cannot afford to lose control of its land, says Fonterra chairman Sir Henry van der Heyden.

The Government has announced a $50 million plan to fight the kiwifruit vine bacteria PSA and expects total losses from infection of $75 million over the next two years.

Bill English says the long term outlook for the NZ economy is good, but the recovery will be flatter in the short term.

The PSA disease has spread to kiwifruit orchards in the South Island and eradication is looking unlikely, Biosecurity Minister David Carter says.