Midday Report for Friday 13 March 2015

12:35 PM.News from the rural and farming sectors. Audio

12:26 PM.The New Zealand cricket captain Brendon McCullum is confident the Black Caps will end their losing streak and the Hurricanes captain Conrad Smith says the team are still smarting from their defeat to… Read more Audio

12:23 PM.For the latest from the markets we're joined by Brad Gordon at Macquarie Private Wealth. Audio

12:21 PM.Germany's second-largest bank, Commerzbank, has agreed to pay 1 point 45 billion US dollars to American authorities for violating economic sanctions against businesses in Iran and Sudan. Audio

12:20 PM.The MYOB business monitor survey found the strong economy has lifted support for the National party's handling of the economy, from 63 last September to 65 percent. Audio

12:19 PM.The New Zealand dollar has eased back after jumping more than a cent against its American counterpart overnight following weaker than expected US retail sales figures. Audio

12:18 PM.The BNZ-Business New Zealand Performance of Manufacturing Index rose 5 points to 55.9 in February, similar to levels last November. Audio

12:00 PM.Police say the Napier man who died while being arrested was pepper sprayed and tasered. Audio