Commerce Commission
Business News for 23 February 2017
News from the business sector, including a market report. Audio
Sky-Vodafone merger to proceed as soon as approval given
Sky Television has rejected a call to delay its planned merger with telecommunications company Vodafone if the deal is approved by the competition watchdog.
Student marked for deportation asked to help in investigation
One of nine Indian students seeking sanctuary from government efforts to deport them deportation is being asked at the very same time to help with a government investigation into the Auckland school… Audio
Women being drawn into secretive gifting Circles
Described as a support group of like-minded, usually spiritual individuals, the catch of the Circle groups is a $7,000 joining fee. The women are told, it will grow into eight times that amount as the… Audio
Real estate company fined $1m for price-fixing
A Hamilton real-estate agency has been ordered to pay $1 million for price-fixing.
Real estate companies fined $10m for price fixing
Four major real estate agencies have been ordered to pay almost $10 million in total, for price fixing and anti-competitive behaviour.
Youi fined a further $320k for misleading customers
Insurance company Youi has been fined a further $320,000 for misleading customers over the past two years.
National grid pricing change ahead
The Electricity Authority is revising its plans to change the way people pay for the national grid.
Can journalism fly in New Zealand?
“Extending the runway” was the concept of choice this week as New Zealand's two biggest publishers of news tried to convince the competition watchdog to give a green light to a merger. Audio
Infomercial products: do they work?
George Block has been testing the claims of three 'as seen on TV' products offering easier ways to paint your home, water the garden, and chop up your garlic. Audio
Godfrey Hirst loses appeal to block NZ wool processing merger
Australian carpet maker Godfrey Hirst has lost its Court of Appeal case to stop a merger designed to create a single wool processing business in New Zealand.
Real estate firm fined $1.25m for price-fixing
A Manawatu real estate company has been ordered to pay $1.25 million for price-fixing.
Media merger partners push their point in public
Editors at two big media companies seeking to merge are all of one mind on the issue. But many of their predecessors are in the other corner - along with the competition watchdog
Coming up
Watchdog withholds its blessing from media marriage
Our competition watchdog says it's not minded to allow two big news companies - Fairfax and NZME - to get hitched. Mediawatch asks a rival publisher and a former editor if the Commerce Commission has… Audio
Stuff Me! Media mega-merger gets thumbs-down
Many media pundits predicted the merger of Fairfax Media and NZME would get a green light. Why has our Commerce Commission declined to give the marriage its blessing?
Commission worried merger could lead to customer price hikes
The Commerce Commission is worried that customers could be lumped with long-term price hikes, if it gives the green light to a proposed merger between Sky Television and Vodafone. Audio
Sky-Vodafone merger plans hit by regulator's view
An asset manager says the Commerce Commission's demand for more information on the proposed merger between Sky TV and Vodafone is necessary if it's to protect the interests of consumers. Audio
Mobile traders get high fines for misleading consumers
The Commerce Commission's crack-down on mobile traders has resulted in a couple of traders receiving the highest fines yet. Audio
Youi fined $100k for misleading customers
The insurance company sent invoices customers were under no obligation to pay and debited customers' bank and credit cards without permission.
Nurofen maker charged over 'misleading' pain pills
The maker of Nurofen has been charged by the Commerce Commission for misleading the public about its "specific pain range". Audio