December 1996
Johnson and Johnson made false claims about sunscreen
19 December 1996
The Commerce Commission said today that, in its view, Johnson and Johnson has made false claims about one of its sunscreens, Sundown Broad Spectrum SPF30, and may have breached the Fair Trading Act.Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission says Xtra raises competition concerns
18 December 1996
The Commerce Commission today said Telecom's Internet service provider (ISP), Xtra, raises competition concerns.Relates to: Business Competition
Commission authorises NZRFU transfer rules
17 December 1996
The Commerce Commission today authorised the New Zealand Rugby Football Union's (NZRFU) proposed player transfer arrangements.Relates to: Business Competition
Principles of NZ competition law increasingly used by others
10 December 1996
An international survey has shown that the principles on which New Zealand's competition law, the Commerce and Fair Trading Acts, are based, are increasingly being used by other Pacific rim countries in their competition law.Relates to: Fair Trading
High Court upholds Commission's Ravensdown decision
10 December 1996
The High Court has upheld the Commerce Commission's decision to decline to clear or authorise Ravensdown Corporation Ltd to acquire all the shares in SouthFert Co-operative Ltd.Relates to:
$350,000 penalties for Toyota dealers
4 December 1996
The Auckland High Court today imposed penalties totalling $350,000 after seven Auckland Toyota dealers admitted that they had breached the Commerce Act by fixing prices by agreeing to limit the discount available to purchasers of new cars.Relates to: Business Competition
November 1996
British organisations see NZ competition law as "outstanding"
26 November 1996
EMBARGOED for distribution overseas until delivery at 7.30am November 27 New Zealand timeRelates to:
Commission decides not to intervene in Sky acquisition
22 November 1996
The Commerce Commission has said today that, on the information currently available, it has no plans to intervene in the proposal that INL and associated companies acquire a majority shareholding in Sky Network Television Ltd.Relates to: Business Competition
Commission imposes conditions on radio acquisition
18 November 1996
The Commerce Commission has cleared the Radio Network of New Zealand to acquire the Prospect Companies' radio stations in Auckland and Hamilton on the condition that Radio Network sells a significant number of stations in Auckland and Hamilton.Relates to: Business Competition
Rugby conference timetable November 18-19
15 November 1996
The Commerce Commission conference to consider the New Zealand Rugby Football Union's (NZRFU) proposed player transfer arrangements begins at the Quality Hotel, Willis Street, Wellington on Monday November 18.Relates to: Business Competition
CentralPower cleared to acquire Electro Power
15 November 1996
The Commerce Commission yesterday evening cleared CentralPower to acquire 100 percent of the shares in Electro Power.Relates to:
Tourist operators and DoC change deed
12 November 1996
The major tourist boat operators at Milford Sound and the Department of Conservation (DoC) have changed a deed because the Commerce Commission was concerned it may breach the Commerce Act.Relates to: Business Competition
Commission receives five rugby submissions
8 November 1996
The Commerce Commission has received five submissions on its rugby draft determination.Relates to: Business Competition
Dunedin businesses to meet Commerce Commission and Ministry of Consumer Affairs
6 November 1996
The Commerce Commission and Ministry of Consumer Affairs are inviting all Dunedin business people to a seminar about the Fair Trading Act and the Consumer Guarantees Act on Wednesday November 13.Relates to: Fair Trading
October 1996
Commission clears Tip Top to acquire some New American assets
31 October 1996
The Commerce Commission today cleared Tip Top Ice Cream Company Ltd to acquire most of the assets of New American Ice Cream Ltd.Relates to:
Commission urges shops to check for unsafe Christmas toys and bikes now
30 October 1996
The Commerce Commission is urging businesses to check the safety of their Christmas toys and bicycles now, rather than waiting until customers or the Commission find goods that do not meet product safety standards.Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission draft determination opposes authorising NZRFU transfer rules
22 October 1996
The Commerce Commission today released a draft determination stating that on the information currently available to it, it would not authorise the New Zealand Rugby Football Union's (NZRFU) proposed player transfer arrangements.Relates to: Business Competition
Business Acquisitions Guidelines explain when Commission would intervene
20 October 1996
The Commerce Commission has published a book, Business Acquisitions Guidelines, explaining when it would take court action against a business acquisition that might breach the Commerce Act.Relates to:
$300,000 penalty for bread price fixing
17 October 1996
The Christchurch High Court today imposed penalties totalling $300,000 after Country Fare Bakeries Ltd and Quality Bakers New Zealand Ltd admitted they had reached an understanding in late 1993 which in terms of the Commerce Act amounted to fixing the price of bread in the South Island.Relates to: Business Competition
Blue Star cleared to acquire General Packaging
16 October 1996
The Commerce Commission today cleared Blue Star Group Ltd to acquire 100 percent of the shares in General Packaging Ltd (GPL).Relates to:
Mainland cleared to acquire some Kiwi assets and shares
15 October 1996
YPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd">Relates to:
The Radio Network denied clearance to acquire Fifeshire
4 October 1996
The Commerce Commission has today declined to clear The Radio Network of New Zealand Limited to acquire all of the shares in Fifeshire FM Broadcasters Limited.Relates to:
Gardner Smith declined clearance to acquire Bulk Storage Terminals
4 October 1996
The Commerce Commission has today declined to clear Gardner Smith NZ Ltd to acquire the assets of Bulk Storage Terminals Ltd.Relates to:
High Court upholds that directors and companies can both be convicted
4 October 1996
The Christchurch High Court today upheld an earlier District Court judgment that if a company breaches the Fair Trading Act, then individuals, including directors, can be convicted as well as the company.Relates to: Fair Trading
Tyco recalls and exchanges Magna Doodle toy parts
3 October 1996
One of the worlds largest toy manufacturers, Tyco, is recalling and exchanging parts of its Magna Doodle drawing set as part of a settlement with the Commerce Commission.Relates to: Fair Trading
'HeartSmart' brand withdrawn
2 October 1996
The 'HeartSmart' brand will disappear from eggs following a settlement between the Commerce Commission and producers of the eggs.Relates to: Fair Trading
Commerce Commission will continue monitoring
1 October 1996
Restructuring of the aviation industry is far from over and the Commerce Commission will continue to closely monitor developments in the industry Commission Chairman Dr Alan Bollard said today.Relates to: Business Competition
September 1996
Commission clears NZCDC acquisition of Bay Milk
27 September 1996
The Commerce Commission today cleared the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company Ltd to acquire the assets of Bay Milk Products Ltd.Relates to:
Commission asked to authorise rugby contracts
23 September 1996
The New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU) has applied to the Commerce Commission for legal protection of its player transfer arrangements.Relates to: Business Competition
Hiding behind lawyers doesn't help companies
18 September 1996
Too often managers are hiding behind lawyers and not accepting responsibility when their companies have breached the Fair Trading Act Commerce Commission Chairman Dr Alan Bollard said today.Relates to: Fair Trading
High Court upholds cellphone convictions
15 September 1996
The Auckland High Court on Friday upheld convictions and fines totalling $11,400 against two cellphone companies who had previously been found guilty of breaching the Fair Trading Act.Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission finds electricity rules do not lessen competition
13 September 1996
The Commerce Commission has concluded today that the proposed rules for the New Zealand Electricity Market (NZEM) will not lessen competition.Relates to: Business Competition
Commission clears salt acquisition
12 September 1996
The Commerce Commission yesterday cleared Cheetham Salt Ltd to acquire around a 50 percent interest in the Dominion Salt group of companies.Relates to:
Powerco withdraws its application for clearance to acquire Egmont Electricity
12 September 1996
The Taranaki, Wanganui and Rangitikei based electricity and natural gas company, Powerco Ltd, today withdrew its application for clearance to acquire 100 percent of the shares in Egmont Electricity Ltd.Relates to:
Commerce Commission increases enforcement activity
5 September 1996
Commerce Commission Chairman Dr Alan Bollard said in the Commission's 1995-96 annual report that there have been more education activities, investigations, warnings, settlements and court actions carried out than in previous years.Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission continues investigation of Southpower
5 September 1996
Commerce Commission Chairman Dr Alan Bollard said today the Commission is continuing its investigation of Southpower for an alleged breach of the Commerce Act.Relates to: Business Competition
Commission action in electricity sector
4 September 1996
The Commerce Commission has increased its enforcement activity in the electricity sector after previously warning electricity companies that the settling down period following deregulation was over.Relates to: Business Competition
Commission clears NZCDC acquisition of East Tamaki
2 September 1996
The Commerce Commission today cleared the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company Ltd to acquire the assets of the East Tamaki Co-operative Dairy Company Ltd.Relates to:
August 1996
Commission clears Bay of Plenty Co-op Fertiliser
28 August 1996
The Commerce Commission today cleared Bay of Plenty Co-operative Fertiliser Company Ltd (BOP) to acquire 100 percent of the shares of SouthFert Co-operative Ltd.Relates to:
High Court warning to trade and professional associations
23 August 1996
The Rotorua High Court today sent a warning to all trade and professional associations that the Commerce Act applies to them and they cannot act anti-competitively.Relates to: Business Competition
Commission completes investigation into Fletcher's purchase of cutting rights
21 August 1996
The Commerce Commission said today it had investigated Fletcher Challenge Ltd's involvement in the consortium that the Government has accepted as the buyer of the Forestry Corporation.Relates to:
Timetable for electricity market rules conference
16 August 1996
The Commerce Commission conference to consider three of the rules for the proposed New Zealand Electricity Market begins in Wellington on Monday, August 19.Relates to: Business Competition
Commission clears Kiwi acquisition of Tui
15 August 1996
The Commerce Commission today cleared Kiwi Co-operative Dairies Ltd to acquire all the assets of Tui Milk Products Ltd.Relates to:
Commission takes no action against Blue Star but will continue to monitor the market
1 August 1996
The Commission has decided that at this time it will take no action against Blue Star's acquisition of Whitcoulls, but for the next year it will monitor closely the relevant markets.Relates to: Business Competition
July 1996
Commerce Commission investigates 26 business acquisitions because of dominance concerns
31 July 1996
In the quarter ended June 30, the Commerce Commission's surveillance identified 92 business acquisitions of which it had not been notified.Relates to:
Commission not opposed to electricity rules
26 July 1996
The Commerce Commission's preliminary view is that, on information currently available, it would authorise the pricing mechanisms in the rules for the proposed New Zealand Electricity Market (NZEM).Relates to: Business Competition
Clothing importer fined $3,500 nightclothes did not meet safety standard
25 July 1996
An Auckland clothing importer, Norman Malcolm, was fined $3,500 in the Auckland District Court yesterday after admitting that he falsely claimed the Commerce Commission had approved his products and that he sold children's nightclothes that did not meet the fire safety standard.Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission's decision on Kiwi bid by August 16
25 July 1996
The Commerce Commission expects to make a decision on Kiwi Cooperative Dairies Limited application for clearance of its bid for Tui Milk Products Limited by August 16.Relates to:
'Anna Fiori' and 'Franco Burrone' made in Italy or Australia? $3,000 fines for country of origin breach
22 July 1996
After a Commerce Commission warning, three Wellington shoe shops have been fined $1,000 each in the Lower Hutt District Court today for breaching the country of origin labelling standard made mandatory by the Fair Trading Act.Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission warns about false endorsements
21 July 1996
The Commerce Commission is warning that promoters have made false claims that it has endorsed or approved a United States get rich quick scheme which has since spread to New Zealand.Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission asked to look at Kiwi bid for Tui
19 July 1996
The Commerce Commission today received an application from Kiwi Co-operative Dairies for clearance of its proposed acquisition of Tui Milk.Relates to:
ASB Bank settles with Commission – changes advertising
16 July 1996
As part of a settlement with the Commerce Commission, ASB Bank Ltd has changed its mortgage advertising.Relates to: Fair Trading
Court of Appeal upholds High Court decision and $500,000 penalties against Port Nelson Ltd
3 July 1996
The Commerce Commission's approach to use of market dominance by monopolies has been strongly endorsed today by the Court of Appeal.Relates to: Business Competition
June 1996
Agreement to address valuation concerns
28 June 1996
Fletcher Homes Ltd and Residential Mortgages Ltd (RML) have agreed with the Commerce Commission about how they will address the concerns of homeowners who believe their properties may have been over-valued.Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission asked to authorise electricity rules
27 June 1996
The Commerce Commission has been asked to authorise several parts of the rules for the New Zealand Electricity Market which becomes fully-operative on October 1.Relates to: Business Competition
Four breaches of Fair Trading Act cost Cellular One $8,535
24 June 1996
Pacific Telephones Ltd, which trades in Christchurch as Cellular One, has been fined $7,500 plus costs of $1,035 today after pleading guilty in the Christchurch District Court to three charges of misleading customers about the cost of cellphones and one of not having cellphones available as advertised.Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission declines to clear or authorise Ravensdown bid for SouthFert
21 June 1996
The Commerce Commission said today it cannot clear or authorise Ravensdown Corporation Ltd's proposal to acquire up to 100 percent of the shares of SouthFert Co-operative Ltd.Relates to:
Commission acts against labelling breaches
20 June 1996
The Commerce Commission has so far this financial year taken action against 40 businesses who it alleged were breaching the country of origin labelling regulations.Relates to: Fair Trading
Breach of Fair Trading Act costs Homebuilding Company and Real Estate Agency $12,000
17 June 1996
Kapiti Coast Real Estate Ltd and Kapiti Homebuild Ltd were sentenced today in the Wellington District Court for breaching the Fair Trading Act by misleading a home owner about a fee included in the cost of building his home.Relates to: Fair Trading
Marlborough Electric and Tasman Energy cleared to acquire Nelson Electricity Ltd
17 June 1996
The Commerce Commission today cleared the acquisition of 100 % of the shares in Nelson Electricity by Marlborough Electric and Tasman Energy.Relates to:
Commerce Commission and Consumer Affairs staff to meet Timaru businesses
14 June 1996
The Commerce Commission and Ministry of Consumer Affairs will be visiting Timaru businesses and speaking at meetings on June 18 and 19.Relates to: Fair Trading
Real estate company and builder admit misleading home buyer about fee
10 June 1996
Kapiti Coast Real Estate Ltd and Kapiti Homebuild Ltd today pleaded guilty in the Wellington District Court to breaching the Fair Trading Act by misleading a home owner about a fee included in the cost of building his home.Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission clears News and Air NZ acquisitions of Ansett companies
4 June 1996
The Commerce Commission today cleared News Corporation to acquire up to 100% of Ansett New Zealand and also cleared Air New Zealand to acquire 50% of Ansett Holdings, subject to News and Air New Zealand undertaking to dispose of all of the assets and shares owned and held by Ansett Australia Holdings in Ansett New Zealand.Relates to:
May 1996
Commission receives submissions on Ravensdown
31 May 1996
The Commerce Commission has received submissions from interested parties on its draft determination on Ravensdown's application for authorisation to acquire up to 100 percent of SouthFert.Relates to:
Dunedin company and executives fined $28,000 for misleading advertising
30 May 1996
(Note: This case was subsequently appealed to the High Court. The findings were altered and the level of fines against Mr Keith Weatherall and Weatherall Jewellers were reduced.)Relates to: Fair Trading
Rockgas cleared to acquire some of BP's LPG assets
30 May 1996
The Commerce Commission last night cleared Rockgas Ltd to acquire the LPG assets of BP Oil New Zealand Ltd, other than those used to supply LPG to customers of BP's own branded service stations.Relates to:
Fletcher Homes, Residential Mortgages and Bennett and Associates offer compensation to home buyers
29 May 1996
The Commerce Commission is very pleased with progress towards an out of court settlement with Fletcher Homes Ltd, Residential Mortgages Ltd (RML) and Bennett and Associates Ltd over allegedly misleading valuations in relation to a first home ownership package.Relates to: Fair Trading
Cellphone retailers fined $11,400 for Fair Trading Act breaches
24 May 1996
Two cellphone companies, Cellular Systems Ltd and Cellphone Warehouse Ltd, have been fined a total of $11,400 in the Auckland District Court today after being found guilty on three charges each of making misleading claims about cellphone prices.Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission's Ansett decisions by June 4
22 May 1996
The Commerce Commission should make a decision on the two Ansett clearances it is considering by June 4, Commission Chairman Dr Alan Bollard said today.Relates to:
10 years of Commerce Act – two issues still unresolved
22 May 1996
EMBARGOED until 7.30pm May 22Relates to:
Commission receives two applications for Ansett companies
20 May 1996
The Commerce Commission this evening received two separate applications for clearance to buy two different Ansett companies.Relates to:
Commission draft determination opposes Ravensdown/SouthFert merger
8 May 1996
The Commerce Commission has today released a draft determination saying that, on the information currently available to it, it would not authorise a proposal for Ravensdown Corporation Limited to buy up to 100 percent of SouthFert Co-operative Limited.Relates to:
Commission clears Westpac to acquire Trust Bank
8 May 1996
The Commerce Commission today cleared Westpac Holdings New Zealand Ltd to acquire all of the shares of Trust Bank New Zealand Ltd.Relates to:
Warehouse settlement with Commission – jacks recalled
7 May 1996
As part of a settlement with the Commerce Commission, the Warehouse is recalling "Cric Meccanico" and "Pagoda" jacks.Relates to: Fair Trading
April 1996
Importer fined $3,000 for night-clothes fire safety standard breach
26 April 1996
Nationwide Importing Ltd has been fined $3,000 after pleading guilty in the Auckland District Court to supplying children's night-clothes which did not meet the product safety standard.Relates to: Fair Trading
Lawyers not exempt from the law
15 April 1996
Lawyers must be aware that if their practices are shown to be anti-competitive under the Commerce Act, then the Commerce Commission can and will take action against them, Commission Chairman Dr Alan Bollard said in a speech to the New Zealand Law Conference on Friday.Relates to: Business Competition
Commission timetable for Ravensdown bid for SouthFert
15 April 1996
The Commerce Commission timetable for considering Ravensdown Corporation Ltd's application for authorisation of its bid to acquire up to 100 percent of the shares of SouthFert Co-operative Ltd is:Relates to:
Commission declines to authorise Air New Zealand bid for Ansett
3 April 1996
The Commerce Commission said today that it cannot clear or authorise Air New Zealand's acquisition of up to 50% of Ansett Holdings and Bodas. Ansett Holdings wholly owns Air New Zealand's only major domestic competitor, Ansett New Zealand.Relates to:
ADVERTISING COSTS NOEL LEEMING $19,570
1 April 1996
Noel Leeming was fined $19,000 with costs of $570.00 imposed last Friday in the Christchurch District Court.Relates to: Fair Trading
March 1996
Kiwi Co-op cleared to acquire Hawke's Bay Milk
29 March 1996
The Commerce Commission today cleared Kiwi Co-operative Dairies Ltd to acquire up to 100 percent of the shares of Hawke's Bay Milk Producers Co-operative Ltd.Relates to:
Commission asked to consider Ravensdown bid for SouthFert
29 March 1996
The Commerce Commission this evening received an application for authorisation of Ravensdown Corporation Ltd's proposal to acquire up to 100 percent of the shares of SouthFert Co-operative Ltd.Relates to:
Marlborough Electric and Tasman Energy cleared to merge
28 March 1996
The Commerce Commission today cleared the merger of Marlborough Electric and Tasman Energy.Relates to:
GWR cleared to buy Radio New Zealand commercial stations subject to divestment
21 March 1996
The Commerce Commission today cleared GWR Group to acquire all the shares of the Radio Company Ltd (RCL), which owns Radio New Zealand's 41 commercial stations, subject to GWR divesting certain radio frequency licences.Relates to:
New Plymouth businesses to meet Commerce Commission and Ministry of Consumer Affairs
20 March 1996
The Commerce Commission and Ministry of Consumer Affairs are inviting all New Plymouth businesses to a seminar about the Fair Trading Act and the Consumer Guarantees Act on Wednesday March 27.Relates to: Fair Trading
Air New Zealand conference agenda<
7 March 1996
The Commerce Commission conference to gather information about Air New Zealand's application for authorisation to buy up to 50 percent of Ansett Holdings will be open to the media.Relates to:
Being impartial means making unpopular decisions
6 March 1996
EMBARGOED until delivery at 12.10pm Thursday 7 March 1996Relates to:
Air New Zealand/Ansett expert submissions
6 March 1996
Air New Zealand's and interested parties' experts will have made submissions to the Commerce Commission by 5pm today.Relates to:
February 1996
Noel Leeming guilty of six charges
29 February 1996
Noel Leeming Ltd has today been found guilty in the Christchurch District Court of four charges of making misleading claims in its "we will pay your interest" and "your interest paid" promotions.Relates to: Fair Trading
Claims concern Commission
28 February 1996
The Commerce Commission is concerned about advertisements used by SouthFert against a Ravensdown proposal to takeover SouthFert.Relates to:
BOP Fertiliser cleared to acquire 40% of SouthFert
27 February 1996
The Commerce Commission today cleared Bay of Plenty Fertiliser Ltd to buy 40 percent of the shares of SouthFert Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of SouthFert Co-operative Ltd.Relates to:
Air New Zealand/Ansett submissions
26 February 1996
Interested parties and Air New Zealand will have made submissions to the Commerce Commission by 5pm tomorrow (Tuesday).Relates to:
Conviction for obstruction
26 February 1996
An Auckland man, Wilfred Ronald Wrigley, has been convicted in the Henderson District Court for obstructing Commerce Commission investigators executing a search warrant.Relates to: Fair Trading
New Zealand Radio Network cleared to buy Radio New Zealand commercial stations
23 February 1996
The Commerce Commission today cleared New Zealand Radio Network Ltd (NZRN) to acquire all the assets or shares of The Radio Company Ltd (RCL), which owns Radio New Zealand's commercial stations.Relates to:
ANZ fined $16,000 – warning for all advertisers
23 February 1996
ANZ Bank was fined $16,000 today in the Wellington District Court on three charges relating to its "Yes Mortgage" marketing campaign run last year.Relates to: Fair Trading
Kmart fined $25,000 for selling dangerous bicycles biggest product safety fine to date
21 February 1996
Coles Myer New Zealand Holdings Ltd, which trades as Kmart, has been fined $25,000 today in the Auckland District Court on three charges of selling dangerous bicycles.Relates to: Fair Trading
Kleins fined $6,000 for making false claims about sale prices
16 February 1996
Kleins New Zealand Ltd, which runs an extensive chain of jewellery stores, was found guilty and fined $6,000 today in the Auckland District Court on three charges of making false claims in a sale promotion.Relates to: Fair Trading
Kmart admits selling dangerous bicycles
14 February 1996
Coles Myer New Zealand Holdings Ltd, which trades as Kmart, pleaded guilty today in the Auckland District Court to three charges of selling dangerous bicycles.Relates to: Fair Trading
EnergyDirect and Capital Power cleared to merge
7 February 1996
The Commerce Commission today cleared the merger of EnergyDirect and Capital Power.Relates to:
January 1996
Commission authorises electricity pricing arrangement
30 January 1996
The Commerce Commission has released a final decision today authorising a pricing arrangement for the wholesale electricity market for the period up to September 30.Relates to: Business Competition
ANZ admits mortgage ads were misleading
30 January 1996
The ANZ Bank today pleaded guilty to three charges relating to its "Yes Mortgages" marketing campaign run last year.Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission draft determination opposes Air New Zealand/Ansett merger
26 January 1996
The Commerce Commission has today released a draft determination saying that, on the information currently available to it, it would not authorise a proposal for Air New Zealand to buy up to 50 percent of Ansett Holdings Ltd.Relates to:
High Court decision significant for whole electricity industry
18 January 1996
The High Court's decision upholding the Commerce Commission clearance of a proposed merger of Auckland power companies, Mercury Energy and Power New Zealand, has significant implications for the whole electricity industry.Relates to:
Electricity conference begins tomorrow
17 January 1996
The Commerce Commission conference to consider two arrangements relating to the establishment of a competitive wholesale electricity market begins in Wellington tomorrow.Relates to: Business Competition
