Midday Report for Wednesday 11 February 2015

12:34 PM.News from the rural and farming sectors. Audio

12:26 PM.The Black Caps have won the toss and elected to bat in their final warm-up match against South Africa in Christchurch. Audio

12:24 PM.For the latest from the markets we're joined by Don Lewthwaite at First NZ Capital. Audio

12:22 PM.Fonterra says it collected 3 percent less milk in New Zealand in January than in the same month last year and the company reiterated that it expects full year volumes will be down 3.3 percent on the… Read more Audio

12:21 PM.Retail spending using electronic cards has edged down for the third successive month, due to falling fuel prices. Audio

12:20 PM.ASB Bank's first-half net profit rose nearly 7 percent but growth slowed toward the end of the year. Audio

12:19 PM.Shares in Chatham Rock Phosphate have plunged after the Environmental Protection Authority refused its application to mine phosphate from the Chatham Rise. Audio

12:17 PM.The casino operator, Sky City, says its first half net profit fell 10-and-a-half-percent to 54.6 million dollars in the six-months to the end of December, below market expections. Audio

12:00 PM.The Defence and Prime Minister at odds over reasons for troop involvement in Iraq and an application to mine phosphate off the Otago coast is turned down. Audio