New Zealand shares edge lower

New Zealand shares edged lower on Tuesday, on weak performance in consumer staples.

The benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index fell 0.1 per cent, or 10.28 points, to 8,043.35, reports Reuters.

Dairy company a2 Milk Company Ltd fell as much as 4.8 per cent, while Synlait Milk Ltd dropped about 6.0 per cent.

Financials and utilities stocks were also a major drag on the index.