Australia shares look to stabilise, NZ edges higher

SYDNEY, March 31 (Reuters) - Australian shares looked set to open a shade firmer on Thursday as the prospect of slower rate rises in the United States gave a boost to Wall Street, though weakness in the banking sector could limit any bounce. The local share price index futures rose 0.8 percent, a 25-point premium to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index close. The benchmark ended Wednesday little changed as persistent pressure on banking stocks offset gains elsewhere. New Zealand's benchmark