Market Power The Commerce Amendment Act 2022 has changed the rules of the game when it comes to the misuse of market power in the New Zealand economy. From April 2023, firms with substantial market power may not act in a way that substantially lessens competition in [...]
Councils’ heritage policies In a recent report for the Voluntary Heritage Group, TDB analysed the policies and practices of all 67 district councils in relation to heritage properties – including for Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga (HNZPT) and non-HNZPT heritage-listed sites. We explored for each district council: [...]
Financial harm to kiwifruit growers In a report for Zespri, TDB estimated the financial impact that the Environmental Protection Authority’s proposal to end the use of Hydrogen Cyanamide would have on individual New Zealand kiwifruit growers. Our analysis uses orchard production information (e.g., hectares of different fruit [...]
Fonterra's Capital Restructuring When Fonterra was formed under its own special legislation, the government sought to level the playing field for competitors and expose Fonterra to pressures to perform. Constraints were placed on the mega co-op, many of which have since been removed or relaxed. Fonterra is [...]
How are the Government’s Commercial Businesses Faring? Currently, the government owns or part-owns eighteen large commercial businesses with combined assets totalling $78 billion. These businesses include three electricity generator/retailers, an airline, a post/courier company, a bank and minority stakes in three airports amongst other enterprises. Together these [...]
Gambling – A cost or a benefit? Gambling is a form of entertainment subject to much debate. Gambling provides enjoyment for many, problems for some and is a source of funding for others. Despite its controversy, the majority of studies to date look solely at one side [...]
Hannah at APEC CEO Summit 2021 Launch The TDB team is proud of our analyst Hannah Pattullo, who shared the stage with PM Jacinda Ardern as the youth panellist at recent APEC CEO Summit 2021 launch event. Hannah spoke on behalf of New Zealand youth, with a message to APEC [...]
BFG Review for Treasury Mid last year The Treasury commissioned TDB to conduct a review of the Business Finance Guarantee (BFG), a scheme set up to provide loans to struggling businesses amid COVID-19. Based on our analysis of New Zealand’s BFG scheme and review of similar schemes [...]
The year of Zoom Welcome to the November 2020 edition of the TDB Digest. For many of our readers, lockdown life this year saw just about everything moved to Zoom or other video-conference providers, from client meetings to team chats to Friday work beers. Despite the drop [...]
Market studies by the Commerce Commission The government has stated it will progress legislation to allow the Commerce Commission to undertake “market studies” of various sectors. But what are market studies; what will be the scope of such studies; who will be able to initiate them and [...]