Midday Report for Friday 16 December 2016

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

12:26 PM.The Otago batsman Neil Broom will be expected to take the place of Ross Taylor in the Black Caps one day lineup against Bangladesh after Christmas. Audio

12:25 PM.The Chow brothers have bought the assets of a Christchurch-based fire services business to roll into a new company, Stonewood Fire Services. Audio

12:23 PM.For the latest from the markets we're joined by Don Lewthwaite at FNZC. Audio

12:21 PM.Across the Tasman, and the Australian government is in a complete muddle about tackling the economic cost of climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and putting a price on carbon. Audio

12:20 PM.A commercial lender says businesses and developers are being turned away from the banks as a cash squeeze starts to bite. Audio

12:19 PM.New Zealand Oil & Gas shareholders have approved the sale of the company's stake in the Kupe oil and gas field to Genesis Energy for 168-million dollars. Audio

12:17 PM.In the latest twist to the Hellaby Holdings takeover saga, the company is forecasting a relatively flat first half profit outlook, with a further hit from the troubled footwear division. Audio

12:00 PM.An investigation into the police hunt for killer Ross Bremner and student loan borrowing tops $15 billion dollars. Audio