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 [...]
Electricity prices – to mandate or not to mandate The Electricity Authority in its recent consultation paper: Supporting reform to efficient distribution pricing: a refreshed Distribution Pricing Practice Note discusses reform of distribution prices as a priority for the Authority. A key issue that arises is: should [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Funding fire and emergency services On 1 July last year, fire and emergency services in New Zealand were amalgamated into one entity, Fire and Emergency Services NZ (FENZ). The amalgamation was accompanied by a remarkable 40% increase in average levies. In a recent report for the Property [...]