Midday Report for Tuesday 13 August 2019

12:35 PM.The country's biggest rural services company, PGG Wrightson, thinks the cattle disease, Mycoplasma bovis is still some way off being eradicated from New Zealand. Audio

12:26 PM.The All Blacks lock Scott Barrett will only miss this weekend's second Bledisloe Cup test and be available for the one-off match against Tonga and the start of the World Cup. Audio

12:23 PM.For the latest from the markets we're joined by Belinda Stanley of Craigs Investment Partners. Audio

12:21 PM.First time house buyers are expected to find it easier to get into the market, particularly in Auckland where house prices are expected to remain flat. Audio

12:20 PM.The stock market operator, NZX, says its first half net profit is up 46 percent as changes to its business begin to take effect. Audio

12:19 PM.The retirement village operator, Summerset Group, has posted a smaller first half profit, as property value gains eased, while it eyes a move into Australia. Audio

12:17 PM.The country's biggest rural services company, PGG Wrightson, says life and business down on the farm is going through a tough phase. Audio

12:00 PM.The head of Stats NZ resigns over the botched 2018 census. Auckland's waterfront counts the cost of last night's storm. Audio