NZ shares snap 5-day slide; Auckland Airport hits new high

The S&P/NZX Index increased 46.01 points, or 0.5 percent, to 10,117.99. Within the index, 24 stocks rose, 21 fell, and five were unchanged. Turnover was $162.8 million.

"The market might finish up for the day. It'll be the first time this week, but there's really not a lot driving it," said Grant Williamson, a director at Hamilton Hindin Greene.

Auckland International Airport rose as high as $8.78, ending the day at $8.765, up 1.7 percent on 2.3 million shares, almost twice its 90-day average of 1.2 million. The country's major gateway has climbed 22 percent so far this year, outpacing a 15 percent increase by the benchmark index.

Williamson said the stock is widely held, but he was at a loss to explain the recent strength, given the dividend yield at 3.5 percent was less attractive than other utility or infrastructure companies.