Midday Report for Wednesday 18 December 2019

12:00 PM.A top New Zealand businessman's reportedly arrested on child porn charges. A soldier's taken into military custody, suspected of being part of a far right group. Audio

12:18 PM.The government's confirmed the Reserve Bank is to get tougher powers to monitor banks and will introduce a deposit insurance scheme at the top end of the recommended range. Audio

12:19 PM.A business advocate is lukewarm on proposed changes to the Fair Trading Act which are designed to better protect small businesses and consumers from unfair commercial practices. Audio

12:21 PM.Investor confidence in the commercial and residential property sectors has improved significantly, reflecting rising values and sales prices. Audio

12:22 PM.The investment fund manager, The Icehouse, has raised a record 62-million dollars so far this year to support a variety of fledging, start-up and fast growth companies. Audio

12:24 PM.For the latest from the markets we're joined by Andrew Cathie of Craigs Investment Partners. Audio

12:25 PM.ANZ has named a new chief executive for its New Zealand business to replace David Hisco who left the bank over an expenses scandal earlier this year. Audio

12:26 PM.Tall Blacks and Breakers guard Corey Webster will play basketball in China on loan after a buyout offer was accepted by the NBL club. Audio

12:34 PM.Much to the surprise of the market, dairy prices experienced their first significant fall in months at the latest Global Dairy Trade Auction overnight. Audio