The Commerce Commission has received an application from Waste Management New Zealand Limited for clearance to acquire Waste Care Limited.

The Commission's Commerce Act Manger, Geoff Thorn, said that Waste Management and Waste Care are two of New Zealand's biggest waste management companies.

Both companies have interests throughout the country in waste collection, through contracts with councils and directly with customers. They also provide waste disposal services, operating landfills and other disposal systems.

Mr Thorn said that the Commission must assess what markets are relevant to the application and then determine what impact the proposal would have on competition in those markets.

To grant a clearance, the Commission must be satisfied that if the proposal were to go ahead no one would acquire or strengthen a dominant position in any market.

The Commerce Act gives the Commission 10 working days to make its decision and allows for extensions if necessary. Working day 10 is April 27.

The Act prohibits business acquisitions that result in dominance being acquired or strengthened.

Media contact: Commerce Act Manager Geoff Thorn

Phone work (04) 498 0958

Communications Officer Vincent Cholewa

Phone work (04) 498 0920

Commission media releases can be viewed on its web site www.comcom.govt.nz