News: WBC NZ stocks hit record high, Australia firmer

SYDNEY/WELLINGTON, April 13 (Reuters) - New Zealand stocks scaled an all-time peak on Wednesday, while a solid rally in mining shares helped lift the Australian market to its highest in more than a week.

Upbeat trade data from China, which saw exports returning to growth for the first time in nine months, combined with an overnight rally in oil prices kept investors happy.

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index (xjo) advanced 1.4 percent, or 67.1 points, to 5,042.70, extending Tuesday's 0.9 percent gains.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index (nz50) hit a record high of 6,780.88, before stepping back slightly to 6,775.71, up 0.7 percent, or 49.7 points.

Traders said investors were looking for higher returns, given record low interest rates and expectations for more easing from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.

"The (stock) price rises are very much interest-rate driven, with investors switching from fixed interest and term deposits into the market," said Grant Williamson, broker at Hamilton Hindin Greene.

Among the top performers, accounting software company Xero (XRO) jumped 4.2 percent while Sky TV (SKT) put on 3.7 percent. Fletcher Building (FBU) advanced 3.4 percent.

A2 Milk (ATM) rose 1.1 percent as bargain-hunters emerged after the milk company lost 6.3 percent in the previous session.

The New Zealand listings of Australian banks were also firm, with ANZ (ANZ) rising 2.1 percent and Westpac (WBC) up 1.4 percent.

Those gains were also seen in Australia. ANZ shares (ANZ) rose 1.7 percent, while Westpac (WBC) climbed 2.0 percent.

Outperforming the financial sector were the major miners. BHP Billiton (BHP) rose more than 5 percent and Rio Tinto (RIO) gained 4.7 percent.

Fortescue Metals (FMG) jumped 6.8 percent after saying it was on track to exceed its annual iron ore production target. It also posted its ninth consecutive quarterly fall in costs.