NZ oil and gas exploration will get a substantial boost in government resources, including funding to chase deep-sea methane hydrates that have yet to be commercially exploited anywhere in the world.

A Chinese bid to buy 20 NZ farms will be rejected or severely restricted after an Overseas Investment Office review, the Herald understands.

The Crafar farming family has lost its appeal against convictions and sentences for dirty dairying practices on a Waikato dairy farm.

Dairy and meat exports were the main contributors to a 3.8 per cent rise in exported goods prices in the June 2010 quarter.

Fonterra says the earthquake has damaged some milking sheds, but all milk has been collected from its Canterbury suppliers.

Looming bad weather and a fear that electricity may be out for days is worrying Canterbury farmers in the wake of this morning's quake.