The Commerce Commission has published a statement of preliminary issues relating to an application received from Matariki Forests seeking clearance to acquire the forestry assets of the Selwyn Plantation Board.

Matariki Forests and the Selwyn Plantation Board both supply sawlogs and pulp-logs in the Canterbury and West Coast regions.

The statement of preliminary issues outlines the key competition issues the Commission currently considers will be important in deciding whether or not to grant clearance. The Commission's statement of preliminary issues and the public version of the application are on the Commission's website at: www.comcom.govt.nz/clearances-register.

The Commission invites submissions from parties who consider that they have information relevant to the Commission's consideration of this matter. Submissions can be sent to registrar@comcom.govt.nz with the reference Matariki Forests/Selwyn Plantation Board in the subject line of your email or to PO Box 2351, Wellington 6140 by Friday 8 July 2011.

 

Background

Matariki Forests is owned by a conglomeration of funds and forestry managers including Rayonier, a U.S. based forestry company. Matariki Forests owns or manages exotic forests throughout New Zealand and in particular Canterbury, where it is the largest player in that regional market for the supply of logs.

The Selwyn Plantation Board owns exotic forests in Canterbury. It is owned by the Selwyn District Council (60 per cent) and Christchurch City Council (40 per cent).