Midday Report for Monday 19 December 2016

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

12:26 PM.The All Blacks captain Kieran Read has undergone wrist surgery and will miss the first five weeks of the Crusaders Super Rugby campaign. Audio

12:25 PM.A Hamilton real estate agency, Lugton's, has been fined a million dollars for attempting to fix prices with several other agents in the city to counter Trade Me. Audio

12:22 PM.For the latest from the markets we're joined by Melika King at Craigs Investment Partners. Audio

12:21 PM.Across the Tasman, politicians of every political persuasion have received a tongue lashing from a respected senior business figure for not being able to tackle some of the big issues facing… Read more Audio

12:19 PM.The investment fund, Punakaiki, says its latest fund raising round has been a bit of disapointment, impacted by a trifecta of major events. Audio

12:18 PM.Activity in the services sector remains robust -- a good sign for the crucial Christmas spending period. Audio

12:17 PM.Consumer confidence has risen to its highest level in nearly two years with low income and rural households driving improved optimism. Audio

12:00 PM.The economy continues to power along despite last month's damaging earthquakes and Bill English defends the Government's plan to sell state houses. Audio