Midday Report for Thursday 16 February 2017

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

12:27 PM.Lydia Ko's 2017 campaign tees off in Adelaide. Audio

12:26 PM.For the latest from the markets we're joined by Kate Tyro at Hobson Wealth Partners. Audio

12:25 PM.The financial services sector faces some challenging market conditions that will make it increasingly difficult for banks to generate profit growth. Audio

12:24 PM.The New Zealand sharemarket is shrinking and the outlook is that it will get smaller unless some urgent action is taken. Audio

12:22 PM.The fast-food pizza chain, Domino's, is pushing an aggressive expansion plan in New Zealand to almost double the number of stores around the country. Audio

12:20 PM.Sky Television has rejected a call to delay its planned merger with telecommunications company, Vodafone, if the deal is approved by the competition watchdog. Audio

12:19 PM.The rubber products manufacturer, Skellerup, has reported a fall in profit after a drop in sales to Australia and higher financing costs; and the property investment company, Precinct, has lifted its… Read more Audio

12:17 PM.The telecommunications company, Spark, has reported a near 13 percent rise in its first half profit on the back of a lift in mobile earnings and IT services. Audio

12:00 PM.The battle to bring the Port Hills fire under control rages on and 350 jobs on the line as Cadbury's Dunedin factory faces closure. Audio