The economy probably accelerated in the first quarter, supporting the central bank's view that it must press on with interest rate increases to keep inflation at bay.

It's a long way from netball hoops to jumping through the hoops of doing business in China but farmer Mike Wilkins is aiming as carefully as his former Silver Fern wife.

The mood among farmers at this year’s annual national Fieldays was buoyant, despite the prospect of a drop in the dairy payout in the coming year, event organisers said.

A New Zealand business that champions ethically sourced food and beverages has been crowned the "Fairest Fairtrader" at a set of international awards.

The exchange rate may have eased in recent weeks but two reports remind us of just how overvalued the kiwi dollar is, writes Brian Fallow.

Eleven UN ambassadors are being schmoozed in Queenstown in an attempt to win support for a New Zealand seat on the UN Security Council.

Weaker dairy prices have acted to drive the NZ dollar lower over the last few months, but currency strategists don't expect the kiwi to go into freefall.

The terms of trade reached the most favourable levels for more than 40 years in the March quarter as export prices rose and import prices fell.