News: Australia shares end at month high led by miners, energy firms; NZ down

(Updates to close)

Nov 22 (Reuters) - Australian shares closed at a four-week high on Tuesday, as a rally in oil and metal prices boosted the mining and energy sectors.

The S&P/ASX 200 index (xjo) rose 1.2 percent, or 61.96 points, to 5,413.30 at the close of trade, its highest since Oct. 25.

Oil prices rose to their highest since October after comments from Russian President Vladimir Putin raised hopes that producer countries will reach a deal at a meeting next week to limit output. [O/R]

Metals gained on expectations of improving appetite in top consumer China, and as investors bet that a rise in oil prices would stoke inflation, increasing the allure of commodities as a hedge.[MET/L]

The Australian energy index .AXEJ hit its highest in more than five weeks, with oil major Woodside Ltd (WPL) rising 2.4 percent, while Santos Ltd (STO) closed 3.8 percent higher.

Miners .AXMM led the gains, with heavyweight BHP Billiton Ltd (BHP) rising as much as 4.4 percent to its highest since October 2015.

Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO) closed 2.2 percent higher. New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index (nz50) surrendered earlier gains to close down half a percent or 32.56 points to finish the session at 6,816.39.

Industrial and healthcare stocks led the losses on the index, with airport operator Auckland International Airport Ltd (AIA) slipping by 2.4 percent, while retirement village operator Ryman Healthcare Ltd (RYM) shed 2.7 percent.

Bucking the trend, software firm Xero Ltd (XRO) rose 2.2 percent, while Dairy product maker a2 Milk Co Ltd (ATM) jumped 4.8 percent.