New Zealand meat exports to China are at a standstill as the government tries to sort out problems that are holding up consignments.

• Budget 2013 review
• Updated Budget 2013 app goes interactive
• Ministers welcome ‘Yeah Nah’ campaign

New Zealand remains in the box seat following the second day of the first test against England at Lord’s.

• Day one: New Zealand v England cricket test
• All Blacks squad includes 10 new faces
• NZ end sevens series with London triumph

In a misguided attempt to embrace the sentiment of spring, our sleuth discovers why bare legs in May are still a London fashion faux pas.

• Keeping your head above ground
• Embracing the bug – the travel bug
• Beltane Fire Festival

Taking place in Brighton over 3 days in May, The Great Escape kicks starts the festival season, introducing 15,000 music lovers to the key artists and sounds of the year.

• New Zealand artists behind new science fiction film
• A NZ Music Month Project
• Country Album & Song Finalists Announced

Over the Easter long weekend I packed my bag and headed to meet my Topdeck Travel Amsterdam tour group in central London, hoping to find a company which shared my tour group philosophy.

• Tantalising Thailand
• Trulli treasures in Puglia, Italy
• Hawaii I go

You can now grab a top travel deal on New Zealand Times. Search the best selection of tours from the most popular travel operators. You can filter by price, trip, length and destination. Where will you be off to next?

NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR REVIEW | The New Zealand Dollar shored it losses this morning as growth in retail figures released by the New Zealand Government where better than expected.

• Whose script are you living?
• China’s Weak Growth Hurts the Kiwi
• Antipodean lawyers London networking group host Anzac Day events

There are some more pragmatic things which have to be prepared before leaving home for Europe and the UK.

• Leaving for the UK: Your countdown checklist
• Accommodation
• Landing in London