Wellington, Sept 23 NZPA - Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd has boosted farmer confidence by holding to plans for a bonanza payout for the current 2011 dairy season of $7/kg-$7.10/kg, representing a $9 billion shot in the arm for the economy and cheques of over $800,000 for the average farmer, wit

Wellington, Sept 13 NZPA - The New Zealand dollar pushed to a five-week peak above US73c today as it continued to be swept along by a surge in global risk appetite but it finished off its best levels.

Wellington, June 30 NZPA - Agriculture Minister David Carter says he is pleased that Fonterra shareholders delivered a "resounding" endorsement of constitutional change needed to rejig the cooperative's capital structure.

Wellington, June 30 NZPA - Fonterra directors today won over sufficient farmer shareholders to endorse changes to the cooperative's constitution that will allow share trading among farmers.

Wellington, June 25 NZPA - Agriculture Minister David Carter has promised the nation's farmers that they will not be made accountable for the greenhouse gas emissions through the Government's emissions trading scheme (ETS), unless trading partners are also feeling some of the financial pain.

Wellington, May 26 NZPA - Fonterra farmers -- and the rest of the nation's cow cockies -- look set for a major boost when the new dairy season begins next month.

Wellington, May 25 NZPA - Federated Farmers has welcomed Fonterra's prediction that the payout to farmers next season may top $8/kg of milksolids, but has warned farmers not to count on milkflows turning into white gold.

(0400 please) Wellington, April 16 NZPA - United Future leader Peter Dunne is at a loss to explain why the Government has been so slow to implement a lift in the driving age from 15 to 16.

Wellington, April 15 NZPA - The driving age is certain to be raised to 16 after Labour confirmed today it would back the Government's decision to approve the move.

Wellington, April 7 NZPA - A big farmer lobby which has previously adopted a sceptical tone on aspects of Fonterra's proposal for share trading says the scheme detailed today "has something for everyone".