When Maurice Williamson is moved to label critics of the sale of farmland to Chinese buyers "racist", you have to accept he's not just joking around.

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.

Maurice Williamson's comments that opponents of land sales to foreigners were sometimes being racist was a case of humour backfiring, John Key said today.

Allan Hubbard is blaming Government regulations for the failure of South Canterbury Finance.

Land sales to foreign investors must be stopped.

The proposal to immediately block the sale of Crafar Farms to foreign interests and urgently review the Overseas Investment Act is myopic and xenophobic.

NZ Farm Systems Uruguay shareholders have been told not to sell their shares into the Olam takeover bid.

Tony Bouchier says his phone has been ringing red hot with support for a campaign to stop NZ farms being sold overseas.

Natural Dairy, the Chinese backed company bidding for the Crafar dairy empire, has turned to newspaper advertising to push its case.

A rival takeover offer has been launched for NZ Farming Systems Uruguay.

PGG Wrightson, New Zealand's biggest rural services group has returned to profit after impairments in the previous year.

Chinese dairy investors may be media shy, but they have been lobbying politicians and other key players at the highest levels.