NZ's monthly trade deficit widened to a record in September as meat exports dropped to their lowest level in more than three years.

Dreamworld CEO Deborah Thomas told a press conference staff are shattered by the events and that her thoughts and prayers are with the families.

The country's trade deficit expanded to $1.44 billion in September, from $1.14b a year earlier, according to Statistics NZ.

PM John Key did not get one of Indian PM Narendra Modi's famous hugs, but is confident his visit will progress trade talks and has invited Modi to New Zealand.

PM John Key gets some pomp and ceremony before heading into talks with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

New Zealand edged out Singapore as the easiest country for doing business in the World Bank's latest rankings.

For a businessman, Donald Trump displays a rare hostility toward economic freedom.

Prime Minister John Key has finally made it to India after a plane breakdown shortened his trip.

Prime Minister John Key will land in New Delhi overnight to finally start his India trip after plane problems meant he had to cancel one of only three days in the country.

Equities on both sides of the Atlantic fell amid disappointing earnings from Travelers and Nestle.

Former Fiji military strongman Frank Bainimarama will deliver the message that Fiji is open for business.

The Commerce Commission filed 19 charges against mobile trader Bestdeals 4 You relating to layby sales agreements.

Britain and New Zealand have agreed to set up trade policy talks to help push for greater trade liberalisation.

Theresa May is coming under mounting pressure to reveal her Brexit strategy before she triggers formal negotiations.

Fraud and the risk of exploitation means New Zealand should focus on "quality not quantity" in the Indian student market, a former High Commissioner to India says.

Agents accessed deleted files and installed spy software on trade officials' devices after breaking into hotel room.

Tributes are pouring in for the former head of the Council of Trade Unions who died this morning after a battle with lung cancer.

A question for incoming Auckland Mayor Phil Goff: How will you lift the city's economic relationship with China? One in 12 Aucklanders

Almost 2000 foreign tourists have experienced the Bay of Islands as the cruise ship season kicked off this week.

Consumer's annual supermarket price survey has named this supermarket as the cheapest store in the country's six centres where prices were tracked.

Global debt has hit a record high of $152 trillion, meaning we could be heading toward stagnation or recession, the IMF has warned.

Watch NZH Local Focus: The largest container ship to enter a New Zealand port, the MV Aotea Maersk, has made its maiden visit to Tauranga.

The decline is the first in five auctions.

Businesses were more optimistic about the state of the economy and their own activity in September.

John Key has signalled a rapid and unexpected rise in interest rates and "something big that happens internationally" as the biggest threats to the NZ economy.

A ship carrying palm kernel extract that's been barred from entering New Zealand for nearly a month should be sent back to Malaysia, says Damien O'Connor.

A stalled free trade deal with Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries will be completed, Trade Minister Todd McClay has announced.

Topsy-turvy weather in Brazil is pushing up the cost of commodities in your breakfast drink.

New Zealand's trade deficit widened to the biggest monthly gap since September 2014 as dairy and meat exports slumped in August.

Trustpower has been hauled through the courts and fined $390,000 for misleading consumers over a campaign for an unlimited broadband deal.