Rafting JV Co seeks clearance to acquire rafting and sledging assets

The Commerce Commission has received an application from a yet to be incorporated joint venture company, referred to in the application as Rafting JV Co, seeking clearance to acquire the rafting and sledging assets of three parties - Rotorua Rafting Limited (trading as Rotorua Rafting), Rotorua Raft & Sledge Limited (trading as Kaitiaki Adventures) and Kaituna Rafting Limited (trading as Kaituna Cascades).

The parties operate guided rafting experiences along the Kaituna and Rangitāiki Rivers. Kaitiaki Adventures and Kaituna Cascades also offer guided rafting experiences on the Wairoa River, which is only open for this activity 26 days a year. Kaitiaki Adventures also offer sledging experiences on the Kaituna River.

The Commerce Commission has today published a statement of preliminary issues in relation to the application. The statement outlines the key competition issues that the Commission considers important in deciding whether to grant clearance to the proposed acquisition.

The Commission invites interested parties to provide comments on the likely competitive effects of the proposed acquisition. Submissions can be sent by email to registrar@comcom.govt.nz with the reference “Rafting JV Co/Rotorua rafting operators” in the subject line. Any submissions should be received by close of business on 27 November 2025.

The Commission is currently scheduled to make a decision on the application by 29 January 2026. However, this date may be extended with the agreement of the applicants if the material before the Commission at that time does not allow it to be satisfied that the proposed acquisition will not have, or would not be likely to have, the effect of substantially lessening competition in a market in New Zealand.

The Statement of Preliminary Issues and a public version of the application can be found on the case registeropen_in_new on our website.