One option for containing the bacteria found on a kiwifruit orchard may be to rip out the infected vines and burn them, Zespri's head says.

Prime Minister John Key says NZ and its central bank are effectively powerless when it comes to checking the strength of the kiwi dollar.

A kiwifruit disease found at a North Island orchard has the potential to upset trade but should not cause panic, the Biosecurity Minister says.

The kiwifruit industry faces a nervous wait as the threat of a disease never recorded in New Zealand hangs over a North Island orchard.

If May Wang is bankrupted, her creditors will receive nothing as there are no assets to sell, her lawyer told the court yesterday.

Orchardists growing gold kiwifruit may have had their hopes of bonanza returns this season dashed as they wait on confirmation that a vine-killing bacteria has arrived in NZ.

Two listed companies are the first victims of a suspected incursion in NZ of a bacterial disease which has ripped through gold kiwifruit varieties overseas, particularly in Italy.

The New Zealand dollar will try to break above 80 US cents this week after the Federal Reserve said it will start printing US$600 billion.

Jan Cameron has pledged $2 million to fight animal cruelty - and will give cash to anyone who dobs in farmers' cruel practices.

The global dairy industry is gathering in Auckland this week for the biggest event in its calendar.

Kiwi bed maker Sleepyhead has announced a $55m deal to buy two Australian businesses, as it looks to ramp up its offshore production.

New research says New Zealand is underperforming when it comes to high-value, processed food exports.