(Updates to close)
SYDNEY, Feb 29 (Reuters) - Australian shares were little changed on Monday, ending less than one point firmer, with major miners BHP Billiton (L:BLT) BHP.AX and Rio Tinto (L:RIO) RIO.AX showing only slight movement.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO closed 0.942 points higher at 4,880.90. It rose 0.1 percent on Friday.
The index of gold mining companies .AXGD slipped 1.73 percent despite a modest gain in gold prices XAU= .
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 ended up 0.095 percent, or 5.89 points higher.