The shareholders' fund, which has surged by a third from its $5.50 offer price, has met the ranking and liquidity requirements and will join the benchmark index on January 21.

Shares fell in the final trading session of 2012 but not enough to dull a stellar year.

New Zealand shares fell yesterday, snapping a three-day rally as further delays to fiscal cliff talks in the US weighed on equity markets across Asia.

New Zealand shares rose to a new five-year high yesterday - up 1.3%  to 4075.45.