Issued 24 June 2004

The Commerce Commission has cleared IAG New Zealand Limited to acquire 100% of the shares in Mike Henry Travel Insurance Limited.

IAG New Zealand is owned by Insurance Australia Group Limited and underwrites and distributes a range of general insurance products including travel insurance.

Mike Henry Travel Insurance (MHTI) is wholly owned by Mike Henry New Zealand and is involved in the distribution of travel insurance.

Chair Paula Rebstock said the Commission was satisfied that the proposed acquisition would not have, nor would be likely to have, the effect of substantially lessening competition in the market for the national wholesale distribution of travel insurance due to there being sufficient existing competition and potential competition.

"In the market for the national supply of underwriting services for travel insurance, the proposed acquisition is unlikely to lead a substantial lessening of competition due to sufficient existing competition."

A public version of the Commission's decision will be shortly available on the Commission's website www.comcom.govt.nz under the Clearances Register.

 

Media contact:

Fritha Mackay, Manager, Market Structure Group

Phone work (04) 924 3650

 

Gail Marshall, Communications Adviser

Phone work (04) 924 3709, mobile 029 924 3709