The city benefits from its rural roots as it bucks the national trend of spending decline. 

IPSTAR deal will give rural New Zealander's the same internet speeds as their urban neighbours. 

Eighty six per cent of farmers questioned in a Rabobank confidence survey believe land values will increase or stay the same over the coming 12 months.

Agriculture Minister David Carter says he expects the perennial problem of shipping connections with the mainland to be raised with him over the next couple of days by farmers on the Chatham Islands.