New Zealand business needs to realise Halal is more than just meat processing...

The economy grew by 1.1 per cent in the first three months of this year, more than double the rate expected by economists. This strong growth follows revised growth of 0.4 per cent in each of the previous three quarters.

New Zealand's current account deficit widened in the first quarter - as world dairy prices fell and more fuel was imported.

New Zealand agri-tech company Tru-Test is bucking the trend of outsourcing manufacturing to China, saying it's good business to keep things close to home.

The risk of the kiwi dollar remaining high is the biggest risk to Government forecasts for growth in the nation's farm, forestry and seafood exports, a new Government report says.

Economists are encouraged by a sharp surge in world dairy prices overnight, but say it is too early to say whether the downward trend in prices has been reversed.

The New Zealand dairy herd has grown by more than 250,000 in less that two years, says new research published today.

Thank goodness for the dairy industry...

Finance Minister Bill English says New Zealand is still "reasonably well placed" compared to many other countries despite today's weak economic growth news.

The economy grew at an unexpectedly slow rate in the last months of 2011, with GDP stats showing growth of 0.3pc - half what most were predicting.

Replay of Fran O'Sullivan's live chat with nzherald.co.nz readers about the Crafar farm sale.