Birth woes
OPINION: What does the birth rate in China have to do with stock trading? Just ask a2 Milk Company.
BNZ senior economist Craig Ebert says he doubts the crisis on the Chinese sharemarket will trigger a wholesale collapse of the Chinese economy.
But he says there could problems if the present situation continues long term. Ebert says the Chinese sharemarket rose quickly earlier in the year and has now fallen back to what it was.
"In many ways it's a healthy correction, but we are watching to see if it has any ramifications and any effect on the wider Asian region. We have noticed that it's starting to affect some of the other Asian equity markets, dragging them down and knocking confidence. But it is still a moot point as to how economically important this is," he told Rural News.
Ebert says the boom on the Chinese sharemarket was caused by officials promoting it, prompting a "collective rush to the door" and people going crazy and investing on the market.
Some of the rules for trading on the Chinese sharemarket are immature by western standards, he says.
Ebert doubts whether this crisis will cause the wheels to fall off the Chinese economy. But he says with China being NZ's major market the turmoil in the market is clearly not good news.
The Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA) today announced that Chief Executive Officer Sirma Karapeeva has resigned from the role.
The winners of the 2026 Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Industry Awards were announced at the annual awards dinner held at Copthorne Solway Park in Masterton on Thursday evening.
Environment Southland is welcoming this week’s decision by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to approve the release of Blaptea elguetai, a leaf‑feeding beetle that will help control the highly invasive Chilean flame creeper.
This March, the potato industry is proudly celebrating International Women’s Day on 8 March alongside the International Year of the Woman Farmer, recognising the vital role women play across every part of the sector — from paddocks and packhouses to research, leadership, and innovation.
Fruit trader Seeka posted a record profit and returns to shareholders in 2025.
Recent weather events in the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/Tairawhiti, and Canterbury have been declared a medium-scale adverse event.

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