National's Nikki Kaye and Labour's Jacinda Ardern on whether the Government should act to lower the NZ dollar.

Trade Minister will be under pressure in Beijing to live up to the terms of the FTA.

Smart roads and clever apps could hold the key to solving Auckland's congestion problems, writes Steve Hart.

Update: The NZX-50 has fallen 2.7 per cent today, as smaller investors spooked by global uncertainty, sell out. The ASX opened down 2.2 per cent.

France and Germany have moved to try and head off fresh market turmoil this week, by saying they want action to safeguard Europe's single currency.

This morning's rapid fall in the New Zealand dollar proves recent talk of the kiwi becoming a 'safe haven' currency was hot air, say economists.

The New Zealand dollar fell below 87 US cents on the back of weaker equity markets as investors refocused their attention on the stumbling US economy and Europe's sovereign debt crisis.

Average prices of dairy products fell for the fourth sale in a row in Fonterra's latest online auction, tracking a broader decline in global commodity prices.

An agreement on the US debt ceiling did little to stem investors' concern overnight that the world's largest economy is faltering, which will hurt corporate earnings down the road.

New Zealand commodity prices were stable last month, with weakness in logs and dairy products, while kiwifruit prices rose, according to the latest ANZ Commodity Price Index.

When the fangs are bared in the latest US episode of Anna Paquin's True Blood, Bernie will be watching within a few hours.

Higher interest rates and an economic shock could be in store for Kiwis if US debt crisis talks fail.

Provide a photo opportunity with the US President and all common sense seems to go out the window.