By
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index fell 68.1 points to 4,699.7, according to the latest data, its weakest since Dec 6. The index fell 0.8 percent on Wednesday.
New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index fell 0.2 percent to 3,406.2 after the central bank slashed its benchmark interest rate 50 basis points to provide a boost to the economy after last month's earthquake devastated Christchurch, the nation's second biggest city.