News that Fonterra has recalled some batches of fresh cream has people worried that illness they have suffered is due to consuming the contaminated product.

Fonterra says the potential contamination of 14 milk tankers with mud and gravel is a "very minor incident" and its safety systems worked as intended.

New Zealand has pushed Fonterra's case in meetings with the Sri Lankan government following a tumultuous month which saw the dairy giant temporarily shut down its Sri Lankan operations.

Farmers need to adapt for a drier future as events like the 'once-in-a-lifetime' drought become closer to the norm.

Most of the North Island could be declared a drought zone by the end of the week, but Prime Minister John Key says the impact on the Government's books remains to be seen.

Big dry forces stock selloffs, but Aucklanders can still water gardens, wash cars thanks to Waikato River supplies

Droughts have been declared in South Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Hawkes Bay regions, a week after drought was declared in Northland.

Testing for a toxic agricultural substance in New Zealand dairy products has found no traces of it after mid-November last year.