Christchurch bars, restaurants and retailers are preparing for a bumper weekend with the city's new stadium playing host to its first crowds.

One NZ Stadium hosts Super Rugby’s Super Round over the next three days, with the Crusaders taking on the Waratahs in the opening match tonight.

Recent alcohol law changes mean hospitality venues can now open past midnight and sell alcohol without serving meals.

Business Canterbury Chief Executive Leeann Watson told Ryan Bridge that the stadium will bring people into the city and have them spend locally, which is exactly what they want.

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More New Zealand lamb could soon be making its way to India under our soon-to-be-signed free trade agreement.

Labour's now backing the deal, which will reduce or eliminate tariffs on 95% of exports to the world's largest country.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand says the Indian market has been largely unavailable until now due to a 33% tariff.

Chair Kate Acland told Ryan Bridge India consumes a huge amount of sheep meat.

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Some challenging Budget decisions ahead for the Government due to the ongoing war in Iran.

Treasury officials are revisiting their economic forecasts for next month's Budget, just weeks before it's due to be delivered.

International credit agency Moody's has downgraded New Zealand's economic outlook from stable to negative, noting the Government's later-than-expected return to surplus.

Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Ryan Bridge the Government's finances weren't in great shape, even before the war.

He says the Government wasn't projected to be back in surplus until the end of the decade.

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