New Zealand's free trade agreement with India is being billed as historic, as the world's most populous country has agreed to cut tariffs on a scale it rarely offers - particularly to an agricultural exporter like New Zealand.

Police are continuing to search Christchurch's red zone for missing woman Rowena Walker.

Parents whose children played with asbestos contaminated sand are taking Kmart to the Disputes Tribunal and encouraging others to do the same.

The prime minister is brushing off forecasts of doom and gloom for the New Zealand economy, insisting progress is being made - even if it is not yet showing up in the polls.