Rain around much of the country has been bad news for holidaymakers but the weather has been good for farmers this season, with one economist estimating it is worth more than $100 million to the dairy sector.

Twenty-seven companies from industries as varied as software, fastfood and high-tech manufacturing have been named as finalists in the 2012 New Zealand International Business Awards.

A local wine label is gaining strong sales growth from its low-alcohol sauvignon blanc, with output expected to hit the 60,000 bottle mark this year.

New Zealand's currency, which hit record levels against the US dollar last year, is slightly undervalued against the greenback this month, according to the latest Big Mac Index compiled by the Economist.