Finance shares gained the most on New Zealand's Exchange, rising almost 5% by midday Thursday.

Westpac Banking (ASX:WBC, NZE:WBC) gained above 6% in recent trade after it reported a fiscal third-quarter net profit of AU$1.9 billion, up from AU$1.8 billion a year earlier.

Meanwhile, the industrial services sector fell almost 4%.

Ventia Services Group (ASX:VNT, NZE:VNT) was down nearly 4% in recent trade as it reported Thursday first-half earnings of AU$0.1569 per share, up from AU$0.1174 a year earlier.