Federated Farmers chief executive Conor English said he would not rule out a career in politics when he steps down as chief executive of the farmers' group in July.

NZ Trade Ministry spokesman says access for agricultural products to customs union is key sticking point.

News that China may have become the world's largest trading nation had an air of inevitability about it, writes Stephen Jacobi. Yet even as we learn to ride the Chinese wave, we need to keep our options open.

Economists say a combination of rising international dairy prices and favourable farming conditions bode well for New Zealand's economic growth.

Fonterra has raised 1.25 billion renminbi in its second Chinese currency denominated bond, which it will use to repay debt and expand operations in China.

All commercial users of water should face a charge, writes Gareth Morgan and Geoff Simmons. This would acknowledge public ownership of the rivers and create funds to invest in repairing them.

Ports of Auckland has notched up its best two months and an analyst says it has seized container volume share back from Port of Tauranga.

Govt defends decision to award $8m ferry contract to a Bangladesh firm

Herald business editor Liam Dann says the new Fonterra recall needs to be kept in perspective - but the world is watching the dairy giant much more closely now.

The export of logs to China is driving an increase in the value of NZ's forestry products - now worth more than $4.5 billion a year.

New Zealand's iron sand exports could soar to almost 10 million tonnes a year by 2016, as Australia's BlueScope Steel adds shipping capacity at its Taharoa site and Trans-Tasman Resources remains hopeful of approval for its offshore mining venture.

The New Zealand wine industry has continued its turnaround in 2013, posting a record grape harvest and improved profitably for wineries.

Three banks facing potential legal action from the competition watchdog over their sale of interest rate swap contracts to farmers say they will continue to co-operate with the commission.

Unemployment is tipped to fall and wages rise as consumer confidence hits a four-year high.

British shoppers have noticed that their favourite Anchor butter tastes different - with the explanation being it's no longer from New Zealand.

Federated Farmers says a report on Fonterra's botulism scare has highlighted the need for a stronger food safety regime.

We must first conquer our island syndrome and pull together if we are ever to win the world from the edge, writes Kevin Roberts.

A private member's bill put forward by Labour MP Phil Goff would require foreign buyers of farmland to demonstrate their investment would benefit the economy more than a NZ buyer.

International dairy product prices are pushing sharply higher, driven by strong demand from China.