November 2000
BNZ acknowledges that its credit card brochures breached Fair Trading Act
29 November 2000
In a settlement with the Commerce Commission, the Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) has acknowledged that a claim in its credit card brochures made a misleading representation to non-business consumers about their rights and breached the Fair Trading Act.Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission to release Lion/Montana decision on December 8
24 November 2000
The Commerce Commission will release its decision on Lion Nathan Limited's application for clearance to acquire all the shares in Montana Group (NZ) Limited on Friday, December 8.Relates to:
Commerce Commission will be open in its approach to electricity price control
24 November 2000
"The Commission will be as open as possible in its approach to electricity price control. It is important, both for the industry and for the benefit of consumers, that there is an open and transparent regime, with a high degree of regulatory certainty", said Commission Chair, John Belgrave, in speaking today at an electricity industry reform conference in Wellington.Relates to: Electricity
Commission releases Shell/FCE decision, visit www.comcom.govt.nz
22 November 2000
The Commerce Commission has released the public copy of its decision clearing Shell Overseas Holdings Limited to acquire Fletcher Challenge Energy (FCE), subject to Shell divesting a range of assets currently owned by Shell and FCE.Relates to:
Haven Motors fined $5,000: "interest free …on all used vehicles" was available only on some cars
21 November 2000
In more Commerce Commission action against car dealers, the Nelson District Court today fined Haven Motors Limited $5,000 for breaching the Fair Trading Act by making misleading claims about an "interest free" offer.Relates to: Fair Trading
Lion applies for clearance to extend ownership of Montana to 100 percent
21 November 2000
The Commerce Commission has received an application from Lion Nathan Limited for clearance to acquire all the shares in Montana Group (NZ) Limited that it does not currently own.Relates to:
Commission clears Shell to acquire FCE subject to divestment of range of assets
17 November 2000
The Commerce Commission today cleared Shell Overseas Holdings Limited to acquire Fletcher Challenge Energy Limited (FCE), subject to Shell divesting a range of assets currently owned by Shell and FCE.Relates to:
Shell offers to divest more gas assets
15 November 2000
The Commerce Commission has agreed to a request from Shell Overseas Holdings Limited to amend its current application for clearance to acquire Fletcher Challenge Energy Limited (FCE).Relates to:
Freedom Communications fined $8,000: cellphone calls advertised at 5 cents a minute cost 99 cents a minute
15 November 2000
The Auckland District Court today fined Freedom Communications Limited $8,000 for breaching the Fair Trading Act by advertising cellphone calls at 5 cents a minute but charging 99 cents a minute.Relates to: Fair Trading
Vodafone applies for clearance to acquire spectrum rights
15 November 2000
The Commerce Commission has received an application from Vodafone Mobile NZ Limited for clearance to acquire management rights in the current auction of radio frequency spectrum.Relates to:
Commission authorises RAL to acquire Turoa
14 November 2000
The Commerce Commission today authorised Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Limited ("RAL") to acquire the assets and operations of Turoa Ski Resorts Limited (in receivership).Relates to:
Electricity price control inquiry:Commission initiates next stage of work
13 November 2000
The Commerce Commission has issued Requests for Proposals from consultants to assist it in preparing material on the substantive issues arising in its inquiry into price control for electricity line businesses. Early next year, the Commission is proposing to issue discussion papers on approaches to price control, and to the valuation of line business assets. The consultants' work will feed into the preparation of these papers.Relates to: Electricity
$8,000 fine for promoting "Focus International" and "World Net" pyramid selling schemes
9 November 2000
The Auckland District Court has fined an Auckland man, Terrence Samuel Wall, $8,000 for promoting in New Zealand two overseas-based pyramid selling schemes, "Focus International Credit Card Plan" and "World Net International Inc."Relates to: Fair Trading
Commerce Commission successful in all court actions
9 November 2000
The Commerce Commission's Annual Report, which has been tabled in Parliament, shows that the Commission has been successful in all 23 court actions decided in the last financial year.Relates to:
Commission wants business involvement in proposed changes to business acquisition thresholds
9 November 2000
The Commerce Commission wants the business community's ideas on how the Commission should consider business acquisitions under the proposed new threshold the Government has foreshadowed in its proposed amendments to the Commerce Act.Relates to:
ASB Bank fined $6,000: third small print case in 10 days
8 November 2000
Commerce Commission action against misleading use of small print continued today with the Auckland District Court fining ASB Bank Limited $6,000 for breaching the Fair Trading Act.Relates to: Fair Trading
Computer retailer Gateway fined $21,500: second company convicted for small print in a week, warning to all advertisers
6 November 2000
The Commerce Commission says that the conviction of two companies in a week for small print issues should be seen as a warning to all advertisers: small print cannot save advertising from being misleading.Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission to release RAL/Turoa decision on November 14
3 November 2000
The Commerce Commission will release its final decision on Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Limited's (RAL) application for authorisation to acquire Turoa Ski Resorts Limited (in receivership) on Tuesday, November 14.Relates to:
Commission clears Portacom to acquire Portable Buildings
2 November 2000
The Commerce Commission today cleared Portacom New Zealand Limited to acquire all the assets of Portable Buildings Limited.Relates to:
