http://nz.biz.yahoo.com//090619/26/cxmm.html

(Updates to Australian open)

WELLINGTON, June 19 (Reuters) - Australian shares opened 0.6 percent higher on Friday, with banks and miners leading the gains.

The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO was 21.8 points higher at 3,913.9 at 0012 GMT after falling 0.3 percent on Thursday.

New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index .NZ50 was flat at 2,797.5.