December 2004
Tis the season for scams - Commission bah humbugs chain letters, horse-betting, lottery schemes and text hoaxes
23 December 2004
The Commerce Commission is warning consumers to be wary of offers that seem too good to be true - because they probably are.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Electricity Lines Businesses - Commission initiates review of information disclosure regime
23 December 2004
The Commerce Commission is tomorrow issuing a discussion paper to seek feedback from interested parties on the objectives, principles and implementation of its information disclosure regime for electricity lines businesses. This work is part of the Commission's development of a regulatory regime for lines businesses, as required by Part 4A of the Commerce Act.
Relates to: Electricity
Telecommunications Act - ihug withdraws application
23 December 2004
ihug Limited has withdrawn its application to the Commerce Commission for regulated access to bitstream under the Telecommunications Act 2001. Telecom and ihug have agreed terms for access to Telecom's commercial bitstream service.
Relates to: Telecommunications
Commerce Commission clears Carter Holt Harvey to acquire certain wood processing assets of Tenon
21 December 2004
The Commerce Commission has cleared Carter Holt Harvey Limited to acquire certain structural and wood processing business assets of Tenon Limited, including its Kawerau sawmill and remanufacturing plant, Rainbow Mountain Sawmill, Ramsey Roundwood, and Mount Maunganui Plywood.
Relates to: Business Competition
Saatchi & Saatchi convicted for misleading advertising
17 December 2004
Saatchi & Saatchi Limited was fined $6,000 in the Wellington District Court today, after pleading guilty to breaching the Fair Trading Act in relation to an advertisement prepared for Telecom New Zealand Limited promoting a Telecom homeline/Sky TV package. The advertisement appeared in The Evening Post and The Press newspapers on 5 February 2002.
Relates to: Fair Trading
$15,000 fines for 'Trade Register' company and director
15 December 2004
A company that targeted over 17,500 tradespeople throughout New Zealand inviting them to sign up to the New Zealand Trade Register, has been fined $10,500 plus $910 costs for making misleading claims under the Fair Trading Act. Its sole director, Gary John Solah has also been fined $4,500 plus $3260 costs.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission clears Fonterra to acquire National Foods
10 December 2004
The Commerce Commission has cleared Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited to acquire up to 100 percent of the shares in National Foods Limited.
Relates to: Business Competition
Commission clears Vector to acquire NGC and grants EIR Act exemption
10 December 2004
The Commerce Commission has granted Vector Limited clearance to acquire up to 100 percent of the shares of NGC Holdings Limited.
Relates to: Business Competition, Electricity
Vegetarian sausage manufacturer pleads guilty to Fair Trading Act breach
10 December 2004
Auckland-based vegetarian small goods manufacturer Bean Supreme Limited has pleaded guilty to breaching the Fair Trading Act and been fined $4,250 plus costs for representing vegetarian sausages as 'GMO Free' and 'Non GM' when they contained traces of GM soy.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Commerce Commission launches its new website: www.comcom.govt.nz
9 December 2004
The Commerce Commission has this week relaunched its website at www.comcom.govt.nz following an extensive redesign and upgrade of its existing site.
Relates to:
Commission releases draft determination on number portability cost allocation
6 December 2004
The Commerce Commission today released a draft determination dealing with the allocation of costs for the provision of local and cellular telephone number portability among the telecommunications industry.Relates to: Telecommunications
Commerce Commission to investigate TelstraClear application for resale of virtual private network services
3 December 2004
The Commerce Commission has announced it will investigate an application from TelstraClear for a determination of the terms for the wholesaling of business services offered by Telecom New Zealand Limited.
Relates to: Telecommunications
Gas Control Inquiry: Commission recommends direct control of Powerco and Vector
2 December 2004
In its gas control inquiry report, released by the Minister of Energy today, the Commerce Commission recommends that direct control under Part V of the Commerce Act should be imposed on gas distribution companies Vector Limited and Powerco Limited.
Relates to: Gas Pipelines
November 2004
Telecommunications Act: Commission will not investigate the regulation of mobile origination for toll-free calls
29 November 2004
The Commerce Commission has decided not to investigate the regulation of mobile origination services under the Telecommunications Act.
Relates to: Telecommunications
Commission to investigate TelstraClear and ihug applications for bitstream
26 November 2004
The Commission has announced it will investigate two separate applications from TelstraClear Limited and ihug Limited for access to regulated bitstream under the Telecommunications Act.
Relates to: Telecommunications
Commission targets cartels - new tools to increase enforcement impact
26 November 2004
The Commerce Commission has launched three new tools it will use to maximise the effectiveness of its enforcement activity in relation to anti-competitive and false and misleading behaviour.
Relates to: Business Competition
Commission receives clearance application from Sanford to acquire Surplus Quota for scampi from Simunovich
24 November 2004
The Commerce Commission has received an application from Sanford Limited seeking clearance to acquire Surplus Quota for scampi from Simunovich Fisheries Limited.
Relates to: Business Competition
Fruit and produce wholesaler admits Fair Trading Act breach in settlement with Commerce Commission
22 November 2004
Fruit and produce wholesaling and marketing company Freshmax Limited has admitted it breached the Fair Trading Act in a settlement with the Commerce Commission, following an investigation into the way in which it has been invoicing its grower suppliers using its Auckland Wholesale warehouse.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission grants clearance to Vehicle Testing New Zealand
17 November 2004
The Commerce Commission has cleared Vehicle Testing New Zealand Limited to acquire all the assets and business of On Road New Zealand Limited subject to the divestment of facilities in both New Plymouth and Wanganui.
Relates to: Business Competition
Commission receives second clearance application from Gallagher Holdings to acquire Tru-Test
16 November 2004
The Commerce Commission has received a second application from Gallagher Holdings Limited seeking clearance to acquire 100 percent of the shares of Tru-Test Corporation Limited.
Relates to: Business Competition
Commission grants clearance to B&D Doors to acquire Dominator International
12 November 2004
The Commerce Commission has cleared B&D Doors (New Zealand) Limited to acquire 100 percent of the shares in Dominator International Limited.
Relates to: Business Competition
Commission grants clearance to Southern Cross Oxford Hospital
11 November 2004
The Commerce Commission has cleared Southern Cross Oxford Hospital Limited (SCOHL) to acquire the assets of the Oxford Clinic business in Christchurch. The assets include the lease of buildings, various assets including stock, business contracts, intellectual property and goodwill.
Relates to: Business Competition
University of Auckland to refund students over $100,000 in overcharged fees following Commission investigation
10 November 2004
The University of Auckland will refund 18 international Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Health Science students a total of $102,354.48 in overcharged fees, $7,222.36 in interest, and $14,000 in compensation, following a Commerce Commission investigation.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Commerce Commission commences legal action against eight credit card providers
10 November 2004
The Commerce Commission will file criminal proceedings against five banks, two credit card companies and one financial services company following an industry-wide investigation into the disclosure of international currency conversion fees.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Telecommunications Act: Commission receives second application for access to regulated bitstream service
9 November 2004
The Commerce Commission has received an application from Ihug Limited for an access determination under the Telecommunications Act 2001 in relation to the provision of bitstream by Telecom New Zealand Limited.
Relates to: Telecommunications
Tommy's Real Estate receives Commission warning
8 November 2004
The Commerce Commission is reminding the real estate industry of its obligations under the Commerce Act after sending a formal warning to Tommy's Real Estate Limited for discussing commission rates with a competitor.
Relates to: Business Competition
Commission receives clearance application from Fonterra
5 November 2004
The Commerce Commission has received an application from Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited, or a wholly-owned subsidiary, seeking clearance to acquire up to 100 percent of the shares in National Foods Limited.
Relates to: Business Competition
Telecommunications Act: Broadband monitoring
5 November 2004
The Commerce Commission has completed the first quarter of its monitoring of uptake of residential broadband services provided or supported by Telecom New Zealand Limited.
Relates to: Telecommunications
TelstraClear applies for access to regulated bitstream services and the resale of select business services
5 November 2004
The Commission yesterday received two applications from TelstraClear Limited for access determinations under the Telecommunications Act 2001. One application relates to the provision of bitstream, and the other application relates to the resale of Telecom retail services providing virtual private network, remote access and managed Internet services to business customers.
Relates to: Telecommunications
Commission receives clearance application from Carter Holt Harvey
2 November 2004
The Commerce Commission has received an application from Carter Holt Harvey Limited seeking clearance to acquire the structural and wood processing business and assets of Tenon Limited and/or its wholly owned subsidiaries which is based on and includes:
Relates to: Business Competition
October 2004
Electricity Lines Businesses: Commission issues Assessment and Inquiry Guidelines
20 October 2004
The Commerce Commission has issued Assessment and Inquiry Guidelines, as part of its implementation of a targeted control regime for electricity lines businesses under Part 4A of the Commerce Act.
Relates to: Electricity
Telecommunications Act: Commission releases its draft report on mobile termination
18 October 2004
The Commerce Commission's draft report on mobile termination released today provisionally recommends that the termination of voice calls on a cellular mobile telephone network should be regulated. However the report does not recommend regulation of third generation (3G) mobile services. A copy of the Commission's draft report is available on www.comcom.govt.nz (select Telecommunications investigations).
Relates to: Telecommunications
Telecommunications Carriers' Forum Submits Draft Co-location Code to Commission for Approval
14 October 2004
The Telecommunications Carriers' Forum has submitted its first draft code to the Commerce Commission for approval under the Telecommunications Act.
Relates to: Telecommunications
Commission receives applications from Vector to acquire NGC
13 October 2004
Vector Limited has applied to the Commerce Commission for clearance under the Commerce Act to acquire up to 100 percent of the shares in NGC Holdings Limited (NGC Holdings), which is 66.05 percent owned by the Australian Gas Light Company Limited (AGL)
Relates to: Business Competition
Commission receives clearance application from B&D Doors
13 October 2004
The Commerce Commission has received an application from B&D Doors (New Zealand) Limited seeking clearance to acquire 100 percent of the shares in Dominator International Limited.
Relates to: Business Competition
Stagecoach Auckland agrees to honour its Big Ticket Sale after Commerce Commission investigation
12 October 2004
The Commerce Commission has put a stop to Stagecoach Auckland's recent attempt to cut short its 'Big Ticket Sale' promotional offer on monthly passes.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Commerce Commission finds widespread non-compliance in pre-paid phone card market
12 October 2004
The Commerce Commission has written to 22 pre-paid phone card companies and distributors advising them of its opinion that their behaviour in relation to the supply of pre-paid phone cards is misleading or deceptive and at risk of contravening the Fair Trading Act.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission receives clearance application from Southern Cross Oxford Hospital
11 October 2004
The Commerce Commission has received an application from Southern Cross Oxford Hospital Limited (SCOHL) seeking clearance to acquire the assets of the Oxford Clinic business in Christchurch. The assets include the lease of buildings, various assets including stock, business contracts, intellectual property and goodwill.
Relates to:
Telecommunications Act: Telecom meeting commitment on Unbundled Partial Circuits
8 October 2004
The Commerce Commission is satisfied that Telecom is meeting its commitment to offer its Unbundled Partial Circuits (UPCs) consistent with internationally benchmarked cost based pricing and therefore does not consider it necessary at this time to launch a further Schedule 3 investigation into unbundling the fixed Public Data Network
Relates to: Telecommunications
Electricity Industry Reform Act: Commission clears Westfield
7 October 2004
The Commerce Commission has granted the Westfield Group an exemption under the Electricity Industry Reform Act 1998 (the EIR Act) in relation to ownership separation provisions, subject to a number of conditions.
Relates to: Electricity
Commission receives clearance application from Vehicle Testing New Zealand to acquire On Road
7 October 2004
The Commerce Commission has received an application from Vehicle Testing New Zealand Limited seeking clearance to acquire all the assets and business of On Road New Zealand Limited.
Relates to: Business Competition
Gas Control Inquiry: Commission receives one month extension
5 October 2004
The Commerce Commission has received a one month extension to complete its analysis for its report on whether gas pipeline services should be controlled. The Commission requested and received the extension from the Minister of Energy, Hon Pete Hodgson, and will now report its final recommendations to the Minister on 29 November 2004.
Relates to: Gas Pipelines
Dairy Industry Restructuring Act: Commission to investigate Open Country Cheese dispute with Fonterra
4 October 2004
The Commerce Commission today announced it would investigate Open Country Cheese Company Limited's (Open Country) application for a determination relating to charges for reasonable transport costs with Fonterra Co-operative Group (Fonterra). A report detailing the Commission's decision to investigate is available on the website, www.comcom.govt.nz.
Relates to: Dairy Industry
Telecommunications Act: Commerce Commission assessing Telecom's compliance information
1 October 2004
The Commerce Commission is analysing information received from Telecom New Zealand Limited as the Commission carries out its annual assessment of Telecom's performance in complying with the telecommunications service obligations (TSO) instrument.
Relates to: Telecommunications
September 2004
Commerce Commission may revoke Pohokura gas authorisation
30 September 2004
The Commerce Commission is considering revoking its decision to authorise four companies to enter into arrangements to jointly market and sell gas produced from the Pohokura natural gas field on the basis that a material change in circumstances may have occurred since the authorisation was granted.
Relates to: Gas Pipelines
Commission grants clearance to iSOFT
29 September 2004
The Commerce Commission has granted clearance to iSOFT NZ Limited to acquire certain assets currently owned by Hewlett-Packard New Zealand, comprising five customer contracts for the provision of software support services, and associated goodwill and intellectual property rights in the HOMER and ORA*CARE software.
Relates to: Business Competition
Commission grants clearance to Port of Tauranga and Toll
24 September 2004
The Commerce Commission has cleared the acquisition by a yet to be formed joint venture company, Newco, owned 50 percent by Port of Tauranga Limited and 50 percent by Toll Limited, of all the shares in The Owens Cargo Company Limited, Toll Logistics (NZ) Limited and Leonard and Dingley Limited.
Relates to: Business Competition
Commission warning to Pharmacy Guild: Premiums Guide at risk of contravening Commerce Act
23 September 2004
The Commerce Commission has issued a warning to the Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (Inc) that the Guild's Premiums Guide, as published until October 2002, placed the Guild and its members at risk of contravening the Commerce Act, and that the Guild should carefully consider the implications under the Act of any future recommendations it makes to members.
Relates to: Business Competition
High Court dismisses appeal by Qantas and Air New Zealand
20 September 2004
The High Court today dismissed the appeal by Qantas Airways Limited and Air New Zealand Limited of the Commerce Commission's decision to decline authorisation for the airlines to enter and give effect to potentially anti-competitive alliance arrangements, and for Qantas to acquire 22.5 percent of the voting equity in Air New Zealand.
Relates to: Business Competition
Telecommunications Act: Commission holds TSO conference
20 September 2004
The Commerce Commission will hold a four day conference from tomorrow on its draft determination on the calculation of Telecom New Zealand Limited's net cost of complying with its telecommunication service obligations (TSO).
Relates to: Telecommunications
Environmental Air Care fined $17,500 for misleading claims about insect control products
17 September 2004
Environmental Air Care Limited has been fined $17,500 and ordered to publish corrective advertising in the New Zealand Herald, Dominion Post and Press for making misleading claims about its Robocan time-dispensed insect control products, in breach of the Fair Trading Act.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Commerce Commission releases draft GM labelling guidelines
15 September 2004
The Commerce Commission invites submissions on a discussion paper that includes draft guidelines on the labelling of genetically modified foods and food products.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Dairy Industry Restructuring Act: Open Country Cheese Company in dispute with Fonterra
14 September 2004
The Commerce Commission has received an application from the Open Country Cheese Company Limited (Open Country) for a determination under the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act 2001 (DIR Act) relating to charges for reasonable transport costs with Fonterra Co-operative Group (Fonterra).
Relates to: Dairy Industry
Contact Energy admits misleading customers about price increases
14 September 2004
Contact Energy Limited has acknowledged it breached the Fair Trading Act by providing misleading explanations to customers for electricity price changes earlier this year. In a settlement with the Commerce Commission, Contact Energy has agreed to apologise to affected consumers and network lines companies, publish public apology notices, make a $30,000 donation to the Citizens' Advice Bureaux and overhaul its compliance systems.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Telecommunications Act: Commission clarifies interaction between commercial and regulated bitstream services
10 September 2004
The Commission has today released a statement on the interaction between the regulated bitstream service under the Telecommunications Act, and Telecom's own commercial bitstream service.
Relates to: Telecommunications
Gas Control Inquiry: Commission releases tax approach
8 September 2004
The Commerce Commission today released a paper that outlines its proposed treatment of tax in determining its final recommendation on whether or not gas pipelines services should be controlled. The Commission invites interested parties to comment on its paper by 23 September 2004. The paper is available on www.comcom.govt.nz.
Relates to: Gas Pipelines
Telecommunications Act: Commission releases final benchmarking report on Unbundled Partial Circuits
3 September 2004
The Commerce Commission today released its final benchmark report on Unbundled Partial Circuits (UPCs) following public consultation. This report relates to Telecom New Zealand Limited's commitment to the Commission in June 2004 to introduce cost-based pricing for the UPC service by 30 September 2004.
Relates to: Telecommunications
August 2004
Electricity Lines Businesses: Commerce Commission issues ODV Handbook
30 August 2004
The Commerce Commission today issued its new Optimised Deprival Valuation (ODV) Handbook, which prescribes the methodology for valuing the system fixed assets of electricity lines businesses. This work is part of the Commission's development of a regulatory regime for lines businesses under Part 4A of the Commerce Act.
Relates to: Electricity
Commission clears ABF Overseas Limited to acquire New Zealand Food Industries Limited
27 August 2004
The Commerce Commission has cleared ABF Overseas Limited to acquire 100 percent of the shares of New Zealand Food Industries Limited, the New Zealand yeast business of Burns, Philp & Company Limited Group.
Relates to: Business Competition
Narva and Repco convicted for misleading cash back offer
27 August 2004
Narva New Zealand Limited and Repco Limited have pleaded guilty to breaching the Fair Trading Act in relation to a misleading Projecta battery charger cash back offer. The two cases were heard separately in the Auckland District Court with Narva fined $1,000 in June and Repco $5,000 yesterday.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission declines application by Gallagher Holdings to acquire Tru-Test Corporation
26 August 2004
The Commerce Commission has declined to grant clearance to Gallagher Holdings Limited to acquire 100 percent of the shares of Tru-Test Corporation Limited.
Relates to: Business Competition
Commission receives clearance application from iSOFT
25 August 2004
The Commerce Commission has received an application from iSOFT NZ Limited seeking clearance to acquire certain assets currently owned by Hewlett-Packard New Zealand, comprising five customer contracts for the provision of software support services, and associated goodwill and intellectual property rights in the HOMER and ORA*CARE software.
Relates to: Business Competition
Telecom clarifies its commercial bitstream service offer
25 August 2004
The Commerce Commission has received additional information from Telecom New Zealand Limited on the characteristics of its commercial bitstream service.
Relates to: Telecommunications
Commission warns traders and consumers to be wary of cash-back schemes
24 August 2004
The Commerce Commission is warning traders and consumers to be wary of cash-back schemes after receiving information that an Australian-based company, Cashback Australia Limited, is trying to get off the ground in New Zealand.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Electricity Distribution Businesses: Update on the Commission's Threshold Assessments
17 August 2004
Issued 17 August 2004Relates to: Electricity
Current UBS not the service recommended by the Commission
16 August 2004
The Commerce Commission is advising businesses that the Unbundled Bitstream Service (UBS) currently being offered commercially by Telecom New Zealand differs significantly from the regulated bitstream service, recommended by the Commission in its unbundling report to the Minister of Communications, and due to come into force shortly.
Relates to: Telecommunications
Commission reminds traders: Claims of 100% leave no room for ambiguity
12 August 2004
The Commerce Commission is reminding all traders that there is no room for ambiguity when making absolute claims about the composition of their products.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Further offences cost repeat Fair Trading Act offender Michael Knight over $28,000
10 August 2004
Repeat Fair Trading Act offender Michael Helsby Knight was fined $22,000 plus $6,430 costs in the Auckland District Court yesterday after pleading guilty to 12 charges of breaching the Fair Trading Act with respect to television and radio advertising production and placement company, One Connect Limited.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission releases draft benchmarking study on Unbundled Partial Circuits
5 August 2004
The Commerce Commission has today released a draft benchmarking report prepared by Covec Limited on Unbundled Partial Circuits (UPCs) for public consultation.
Relates to: Telecommunications
Commission receives clearance application from ABF Overseas Limited
5 August 2004
The Commerce Commission has received an application from ABF Overseas Limited seeking clearance to acquire 100 percent of the shares of New Zealand Food Industries Limited, the New Zealand yeast business of Burns, Philp & Company Limited Group, from Burns Philp.
Relates to: Business Competition
July 2004
It's a SIN - 64% of vehicle dealers inspected not complying with new regulations
29 July 2004
The Commerce Commission is reminding motor vehicle traders of their obligations under the Consumer Information Standards Regulations for used motor vehicles following recent inspections in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch that revealed 64 percent of dealers were non-compliant.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission receives application for EIR Act exemption from Multiplex Funds Management
28 July 2004
Issued 28 July 2004Relates to:
Commission declines Bondor's application to acquire the insulated panel business of Long International
22 July 2004
The Commerce Commission has declined a clearance application from Bondor New Zealand Limited to acquire the business assets of the insulated panel business of Long International Limited.
Relates to:
Commission clears Colgate-Palmolive to acquire various Campbell Brothers brands
22 July 2004
The Commerce Commission has cleared Colgate-Palmolive to acquire various brands and associated items that comprise the laundry additive, laundry detergent, and dishwashing detergent businesses of Campbell Brothers Limited and Campbell Brothers' wholly-owned subsidiary, Bushland Products Pty Limited.
Relates to: Business Competition
Commission alerts public to misleading phone card deals
22 July 2004
The Commerce Commission is warning members of the public to be wary of a number of phone card deals currently on the market.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Commerce Commission considering divestment undertaking from Gallagher
22 July 2004
The Commerce Commission has received a divestment undertaking relating to Gallagher Holdings Limited's application for clearance to acquire Tru-Test Corporation.
Relates to:
Commission warns public to be wary of knee pain study: action pending against US company
20 July 2004
The Commerce Commission is warning members of the public to be wary of a Knee Pain 'Study' scheduled for 5pm this evening at the Brentwood Hotel in Kilbirnie, Wellington, and a lecture on new pain healing discoveries at the Newtown Community Centre, Wellington this Friday.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Gas Pipelines Inquiry: Conference Details
20 July 2004
The Commerce Commission will hold a three and half-day conference starting this Thursday on its draft report, issued in May, relating to the Gas Pipelines Inquiry. The conference will be held on Thursday 22 July and Monday 26 to Wednesday 28 July.
Relates to: Gas Pipelines
Commission warns businesses not to destroy company information and documents
15 July 2004
Search warrants are a valuable tool that the Commerce Commission will not hesitate to use when investigating allegations into anti-competitive behaviour.
Relates to: Business Competition
Muscle Marketing USA fined $70,000 for false claims about sports performance product
14 July 2004
Muscle Marketing USA Limited has been fined $70,000 in the Auckland District Court today for breaching the Fair Trading Act in relation to its sports performance enhancing product ATP Advantage Creatine Serum.
Relates to: Fair Trading
TelstraClear and Telecom apply to Commission for Residential Wholesale Pricing Review
5 July 2004
TelstraClear Limited and Telecom New Zealand Limited have independently applied to the Commerce Commission for a pricing review of the Commission's residential wholesale determination (Decision 525) under section 42 of the Telecommunications Act 2001.
Relates to: Telecommunications
Commission grants clearance to VisyPET
2 July 2004
The Commerce Commission has cleared VisyPET (NZ) Limited (trading as VisyPak) to acquire some or all of the two-stage PET manufacturing assets and related business contracts of Visy Industrial Plastics (NZ) Limited (VIP).
Relates to: Business Competition
June 2004
Commission receives application for EIR Act exemption
30 June 2004
The Commerce Commission has received an application from David Henderson and related entities for an exemption under the Electricity Industry Reform Act 1998 (the EIR Act) in relation to ownership separation provisions.
Relates to: Electricity
Ophthalmological Society of New Zealand to pay $100,000 for breaching Commerce Act
30 June 2004
The High Court has fined the Ophthalmological Society of New Zealand Inc $100,000 and two ophthalmologists a total of $30,000 for contravening the anti-competitive provisions of the Commerce Act.
Relates to: Business Competition
Telecommunications Act: Commerce Commission releases draft TSO cost calculation
30 June 2004
The Commerce Commission has released its draft determination on the calculation of Telecom New Zealand Limited's net cost of complying with its telecommunication service obligations (TSO) for the period 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003 (the end of Telecom's financial year). The Commission has calculated the cost for that period to be $62.6 million.
Relates to: Telecommunications
Telecommunications Commissioner delivers speech to 5th Annual Telecommunications Summit
28 June 2004
In an address to the 5th Annual Telecommunications Summit this morning, Telecommunications Commissioner Douglas Webb spoke of changes to the marketplace since 2001 - including recent undertakings by Telecom to offer cost-based prices for data tails - and put to industry participants that competitive innovation, efficiency, product range and customer choice will increasingly decide the outcome for their businesses.
Relates to: Telecommunications
Commission accepts undertaking from Telecom on data tails
28 June 2004
The Commerce Commission has accepted Telecom's undertaking to supply data tails at cost-based prices.
The Commission has monitored the evolution of Telecom's commercial data tails proposal since its December 2003 recommendation on unbundling to the Minister of Communications.
Relates to: Telecommunications
Port of Tauranga and Toll apply to Commission for clearance
24 June 2004
The Commerce Commission has received an application from Port of Tauranga Limited and Toll Limited seeking clearance of a proposed acquisition by a yet to be formed joint venture company to acquire The Owens Cargo Company Limited, Toll Logistics (NZ) Limited and Leonard and Dingley Limited.
Relates to: Business Competition
Commerce Commission clears IAG to acquire Mike Henry
24 June 2004
The Commerce Commission has cleared IAG New Zealand Limited to acquire 100% of the shares in Mike Henry Travel Insurance Limited.
Relates to:
Telecom Mobile's telemarketing practices found in breach of Door to Door Sales Act
24 June 2004
Following a High Court judgment, the Commerce Commission is highlighting to telemarketers that the Door to Door Sales Act applies to their sales practices and that any failure to comply with that Act may amount to a breach of the Fair Trading Act.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission warning to Toll NZ Limited: behaviour at risk of contravening Commerce Act
22 June 2004
The Commerce Commission has issued a warning to Toll NZ Limited (formerly Tranz Rail Limited) that the Commission found evidence indicating that Tranz Rail's conduct in certain New Zealand rail markets over a period from 1997 to 2002 risked contravening the Commerce Act, and that the repetition of such conduct would result in the Commission taking further enforcement action.
Relates to: Business Competition
Aquanaut admits Commerce Act breach: ordered to pay $60,000
21 June 2004
The Commerce Commission is highlighting to businesses that the practice of resale price maintenance, where a supplier of goods specifies the minimum price that a reseller can charge for those goods, is prohibited under the Commerce Act, and that the Commission will take action where such behaviour is detected.
Relates to: Business Competition
Commission releases mobile termination issues paper
21 June 2004
The Commerce Commission today released an issues paper to begin public consultation on its investigation into whether or not mobile phone call termination rates should be regulated.
Relates to: Telecommunications
ABC Motor Group convicted for second time under Fair Trading Act: fined $31,000
18 June 2004
ABC Motor Group Limited has been convicted of breaching the Fair Trading Act for the second time in three years over failure to adequately disclose important conditions in advertising.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Telecommunications Act: Residential Wholesale determination delivers choice for residential customers
17 June 2004
The Commerce Commission today released its final determination relating to the supply of residential services on a wholesale basis between Telecom New Zealand Limited and TelstraClear Limited under the Telecommunications Act 2001.
Relates to: Telecommunications
Commission receives clearance application from VisyPET
17 June 2004
The Commerce Commission has received an application from VisyPET (NZ) Limited trading as VisyPak, seeking clearance to acquire some or all of the two-stage PET manufacturing assets and related business contracts of Visy Industrial Plastics (NZ) Limited (VIP).
Relates to:
Waveshield pleads guilty to breaching Fair Trading Act
9 June 2004
A rehearing of a Commerce Commission case against Waveshield (New Zealand) Limited and its director Miles Dixon for falsely claiming that the 'Wave Shield' mobile phone radiation protection device blocked up to 97 percent of electromagnetic radiation from the inner ear and had been 'tested' and 'proven' has resulted in a $4,000 fine.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Colgate-Palmolive applies for clearance to acquire Campbell Brothers' Brands
8 June 2004
The Commerce Commission has received an application from Colgate-Palmolive seeking clearance to acquire various brands and associated items that comprise the laundry additive, laundry detergent, and dishwashing detergent businesses of Campbell Brothers Limited and Campbell Brothers' wholly-owned subsidiary, Bushland Products Pty Limited.
Relates to: Business Competition
False claims about trade membership will breach Fair Trading Act
8 June 2004
The Commerce Commission is reminding traders that falsely claiming membership or approval of a trade organisation is a breach of the Fair Trading Act.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Co-operation between Commerce Commission and Police results in three arrests
4 June 2004
Three men have been arrested by Dunedin Police and charged under the Crimes Act in relation to a Commerce Commission investigation into an international operation involving the sale of speakers from the back of vans that hit New Zealand shores earlier this year.
Relates to: Fair Trading
IAG applies for clearance to acquire Mike Henry Travel
1 June 2004
The Commerce Commission has received an application from IAG New Zealand Limited seeking clearance to acquire 100% of the shares in Mike Henry Travel Insurance Limited.
Relates to: Business Competition
May 2004
New Zealand victims of SkyBiz scam to share in US$20 million redress fund
31 May 2004
New Zealand victims of an internet pyramid scam, SkyBiz.com, may qualify to share in a US$20 million court-ordered redress fund, following a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission in the United States.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission grants clearance to Visy Industrial Plastics
27 May 2004
The Commerce Commission has cleared Visy Industrial Plastics (NZ) Limited to acquire the plastic packaging businesses and assets of ACI Operations NZ Limited.
Relates to: Business Competition
Gas Inquiry: Commission recommends control in draft report
21 May 2004
The Commerce Commission today released its draft report relating to its current Gas Pipelines Inquiry. The Commission commenced the Inquiry following a request from the Minister of Energy pursuant to Part IV of the Commerce Act.
Relates to: Gas Pipelines
Commission receives clearance application from Gallagher Holdings
20 May 2004
The Commerce Commission has received an application from Gallagher Holdings Limited seeking clearance to acquire 100 percent of the shares of Tru-Test Corporation Limited.
Relates to: Business Competition
Telecommunications Act: Residential Wholesale Conference Details
20 May 2004
The Commerce Commission will hold a two-day conference on Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 May, on its draft determination relating to wholesale access to Telecom New Zealand's residential services by TelstraClear Limited.
Relates to: Telecommunications
Misleading promotion costs marketing company $9,000
18 May 2004
Misleading electricity customers about the chance to win free power if they took out 'PowerPLUS' power insurance has cost marketing company David Barrowclough Direct Limited $9,000.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission grants clearance to CB Norwood Distributors
18 May 2004
The Commerce Commission has cleared CB Norwood Distributors Limited to acquire the New Zealand business of CNH Australia Pty Limited with respect to the importation, purchasing, marketing, distribution, selling and support of Case IH branded agricultural equipment and spare parts in New Zealand.
Relates to: Business Competition
Commission grants clearance to SKYCITY
18 May 2004
The Commerce Commission has cleared SKYCITY Entertainment Group Limited to acquire all the shares and assets of Aspinall (NZ) Limited.
Relates to: Business Competition
Company to refund customers following 'invoice' mail out
13 May 2004
Australian-based website design and hosting company, Time Away Services Pty Limited, has agreed to refund all money paid by New Zealand businesses on an 'invoice' document sent out in November 2003, and has admitted, in a settlement with the Commerce Commission, that it was likely to breach the Fair Trading Act.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Telecommunications Act: Update on Investigation into Regulating Mobile Termination Rates
13 May 2004
The Commerce Commission's investigation into whether or not mobile phone call termination rates should be regulated has now formally commenced, with the Commission's decision to investigate under Schedule 3 of the Telecommunications Act 2001 published in today's New Zealand Gazette.
Relates to: Telecommunications
Commerce Commission clears Atlas Group to acquire Southward Engineering
6 May 2004
The Commerce Commission has granted a clearance to Atlas Group Limited to acquire Southward Engineering Co Limited.
Relates to: Business Competition
Commission receives clearance application from Bondor NZ
4 May 2004
The Commerce Commission has received an application from Bondor New Zealand Limited seeking clearance to acquire the assets of the insulated panel business of Long International Limited.
Relates to: Business Competition
April 2004
Telecommunications Act: Commission to investigate mobile termination rates
29 April 2004
The Commerce Commission today announced it will undertake an investigation into whether or not mobile phone call termination rates should be regulated.
Relates to: Telecommunications
Commission receives clearance application from CB Norwood Distributors
26 April 2004
The Commerce Commission has received an application from CB Norwood Distributors Limited seeking clearance to acquire the New Zealand business of CNH Australia Pty Limited with respect to the importation, purchasing, marketing, distribution, selling and support of Case IH branded agricultural equipment and spare parts in New Zealand.
Relates to: Business Competition
Fastlane Autos' appeal dismissed: 'mistake of law' no defence
21 April 2004
Following a recent High Court decision, the Commerce Commission is highlighting to businesses that they cannot avoid liability under the Fair Trading Act by claiming they were ignorant of or misunderstood the law.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission receives clearance application from SKYCITY
16 April 2004
The Commerce Commission has received an application from SKYCITY Entertainment Group Limited seeking clearance to acquire all the shares and assets of Aspinall (NZ) Limited.
Relates to: Business Competition
Telecommunications Act: draft report on residential wholesale released after successful negotiation by parties
16 April 2004
The Commerce Commission's today released its draft determination relating to wholesale access to Telecom New Zealand's residential services by TelstraClear Limited. The parties have successfully negotiated key elements relating to access of certain residential wholesale services.
Relates to: Telecommunications
Commission receives clearance application from Atlas Group
14 April 2004
The Commerce Commission has received an application from Melbourne based Atlas Group Limited seeking clearance to acquire Southward Engineering Co Limited.
Relates to: Business Competition
Traders must comply with Unsafe Goods Notices: Glitter Bangles recalled
7 April 2004
The Commerce Commission is highlighting to retailers and importers the importance of complying with current Unsafe Goods Notices, following a nationwide recall of glitter bangles by Farmers Trading Company Limited last week.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Commission grants EIR Act exemption to Dr Keith Turner
6 April 2004
The Commerce Commission has granted an exemption under the Electricity Industry Reform Act 1998 (EIR Act) to the Chief Executive of Meridian Energy Limited, Dr Keith Turner, in respect of his impending appointment to the board of Auckland International Airport Limited (AIAL).
Relates to: Electricity
Electricity Lines Businesses: ODV Handbook - Conference Details
6 April 2004
The Commerce Commission will hold a three day conference next week on its draft Optimised Deprival Valuation (ODV) Handbook. The conference is part of the Commission's consultation with interested parties on the development of an ODV Handbook for large electricity lines businesses, under Part 4A of the Commerce Act.
Relates to: Electricity
Brownlie Brothers guilty of misleading juice claims: fined $35,000
5 April 2004
Hawkes Bay juice company Brownlie Brothers Limited has been fined a total of $35,000 after pleading guilty to breaching the Fair Trading Act in relation to misleading labelling of its Simply Squeezed and Supreme Orange Juice products.
Relates to: Fair Trading
'Back of a van' speaker scam hits central North Island
2 April 2004
The Commerce Commission is alerting the public in the central North Island that an international scam involving the sale of speakers from the back of vans has hit the area.
Relates to: Fair Trading
March 2004
Electricity Lines Businesses: Commission releases information disclosure requirements
31 March 2004
The Commerce Commission is today issuing its first set of broad information disclosure requirements for electricity lines businesses. This work is part of the Commission's development of a regulatory regime for lines businesses, as required by Part 4A of the Commerce Act.
Relates to: Electricity
Electricity Lines Businesses: Update on the Commission's First Threshold Assessments
31 March 2004
The Commerce Commission today announced it has identified five electricity distribution businesses in breach of the initial price path threshold set by the Commission last June. One further distribution businesses has been found to comply with the threshold.
Relates to: Electricity
Electricity Lines Businesses: Commerce Commission sets thresholds for next five years
31 March 2004
Issued Wednesday 31 March 2004Relates to: Electricity
Commission clears Niro A/S to acquire Colby Systems
30 March 2004
The Commerce Commission has granted a clearance to Niro A/S, to acquire 100 percent of the shares of Colby Systems Limited from Siemens Dematic AG.
Relates to:
Commission commences court action against Telecom on pricing of access to data tails
25 March 2004
The Commerce Commission has filed High Court proceedings under the Commerce Act against Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited and Telecom New Zealand Limited alleging that Telecom has misused its market power, and continues to do so, to prevent or deter competition in markets involving high speed data transmission. That alleged behaviour includes Telecom setting retail prices lower than wholesale prices for a particular product.
Relates to: Telecommunications
Commission receives clearance application from Visy Industrial Plastics
24 March 2004
The Commerce Commission has received an application from Visy Industrial Plastics (NZ) Limited seeking clearance to acquire the plastic packaging businesses and assets of ACI Operations NZ Limited.
Relates to:
Electricity Lines Businesses: Commission announces conference on ODV Handbook
12 March 2004
The Commerce Commission will hold a three-day conference from 14-16 April 2004 on its draft optimised deprival valuation (ODV) Handbook. The Commission will use the final Handbook for valuing the system fixed assets of large electricity lines businesses. This work is part of the Commission's development of a regulatory regime for lines businesses under Part 4A of the Commerce Act.
Relates to: Electricity
Commission clears Pacific Radiology to acquire Wakefield Radiology
4 March 2004
The Commerce Commission has granted a clearance to Pacific Radiology Limited to acquire the radiology services, business and assets of Wakefield Radiology Limited.
Relates to:
High Court finds ophthalmologists breached Commerce Act
2 March 2004
The Commerce Commission is pleased with the High Court judgement finding the Ophthalmological Society and five ophthalmologists contravened the anti-competitive provisions of the Commerce Act.
Relates to: Business Competition
Niro A/S applies for clearance to acquire Colby Systems
1 March 2004
The Commerce Commission has received an application from Niro A/S, to acquire 100 percent of the shares of Colby Systems Limited from Siemens Dematic AG.
Relates to:
February 2004
Electricity Lines Businesses: Recent storm damage to be considered an 'extreme event' in quality threshold assessments
20 February 2004
The Commerce Commission has today confirmed that interruptions to electricity supply in the lower North Island due to severe storms this week would be taken into account in the electricity lines businesses quality threshold assessments for the current period.
Relates to: Electricity
Telecommunications Act:Commission releases principles paper on implementation of a TSLRIC Pricing Methodology
20 February 2004
The Commerce Commission today released a principles paper on the implementation of a Total Service Long Run Incremental Cost (TSLRIC) Pricing Methodology for Access Determinations under the Telecommunications Act 2001.
Relates to: Telecommunications
AIAL applies for exemption under EIR Act
17 February 2004
The Commerce Commission has received an application from Auckland International Airport Limited (AIAL) for an exemption under the Electricity Industry Reform Act 1998 (EIR Act) in relation to the appointment of Dr Keith Turner, Meridian Energy Limited's Chief Executive, to the AIAL Board.
Relates to: Electricity
Commission alerts public to 'back of a van' speaker scam
10 February 2004
The Commerce Commission is alerting the public to an international scam that may have hit New Zealand shores involving the sale of fake brand speakers from the back of vans.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Too good to be true? Commission joins forces for International Sweep Day
9 February 2004
Too good to be true?
Commission joins forces for International Sweep Day
Relates to: Fair Trading
January 2004
Commission launches new Mergers and Acquisitions Guidelines at industry seminars
30 January 2004
The Commerce Commission will officially launch its new Mergers and Acquisitions Guidelines at a series of industry seminars to be held in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in March. Media and industry representatives are invited to attend.
Relates to: Business Competition
Commission awaits explanation from Unison on price increases
29 January 2004
The Commerce Commission is awaiting an explanation from Hastings based electricity lines business Unison on its pricing structure.
Relates to: Electricity
Pacific Radiology applies for clearance to acquire Wakefield Radiology
26 January 2004
The Commerce Commission has received an application from Pacific Radiology Limited to acquire the radiology services, business and assets of Wakefield Radiology Limited.
Relates to:
Commerce Commission cautions car dealers: Interest-free deals must be just that
16 January 2004
The Commerce Commission is cautioning car dealers that interest-free deals that are not truly interest-free risk breaching the Fair Trading Act, an offence which can attract fines of up to $200,000.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Phoenix Organics admits labelling likely to breach Fair Trading Act
15 January 2004
In a settlement with the Commerce Commission, Phoenix Organics Limited has admitted the labelling of its 275ml Organic Orange, Mango and Apple Juice product was likely to breach the Fair Trading Act and has published a public apology on its website.
Relates to: Fair Trading
Asquith Group applies for exemption under EIR Act
7 January 2004
The Commerce Commission has received an application from the Asquith Group for an exemption under the Electricity Industry Reform Act 1998 (the EIR Act) in relation to ownership separation provisions.
Relates to: Electricity
