Midday Report for Wednesday 29 March 2017

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

12:26 PM.Rain is all but certain to deny New Zealand a series-levelling win against South Africa in the third Test decider in Hamilton. Audio

12:25 PM.The Commerce Commission has again extended the deadline for a decision on the proposed merger between media companies, Fairfax and NZME. Audio

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

12:22 PM.The infrastructure investor, Infratil, is forecasting a steady earnings track for 2018, and says it has 380-million dollars for future investments. Audio

12:21 PM.The Australasian arm of the world's largest online retailer, Alibaba, is developing a supply chain management system in conjunction with the accountancy firm, PwC. Audio

12:19 PM.The utilities and airport software company, Gentrack, has bought a British-based utility software developer Junifer Systems for just over 78 million dollars. Audio

12:17 PM.The Canterbury dairy company, Synlait Milk, has reported a slightly higher first-half profit after a lift in margins and sales volumes, but casts doubt whether its forecast payouts will be sustained. Audio

12:00 PM.Emergency teams assess the damage from Cyclone Debbie and calls for the Ministry of Justice to take care with the next of kin in suicide cases. Audio