Shaky data out of China lately has economists keeping a wary eye on New Zealand's largest trading partner.

Signs of a revival in the Aussie economy have prompted that nation's central bank to remove its easing bias.

NZ Trade Ministry spokesman says access for agricultural products to customs union is key sticking point.

The most favourable terms of trade for 40 years and a $3.1 billion rise in exports to China were not enough to close the trade gap last year.

When Mr Yong, assistant marketing manager for a Shenzhen manufacturing company, produced a pair of pink star-shaped nipple covers for my perusal, I began to sense a problem. "No!" I cried, anxiously. "It's tips for chair legs I want."

News that China may have become the world's largest trading nation had an air of inevitability about it, writes Stephen Jacobi. Yet even as we learn to ride the Chinese wave, we need to keep our options open.

The dollar fell against the greenback amid speculation the Federal Reserve will further trim its bond buying programme next week.

A waterfront dispute has broken out between two of New Zealand's biggest ports, arguing about who is the best.