The Commerce Commission has given clearance under the Commerce Act to Wilson & Horton Limited to acquire all of the assets of Powerplant Productions Limited relating to "The Havelock North Village Press" newspaper business.

Wilson & Horton is 100% owned by Wilson & Horton Holdings Limited, which is 100% owned by Independent News and Media plc, a Dublin based media company.

Wilson & Horton is a news and information company operating in four segments: newspaper publishing; new internet-based media; specialist publishing and commercial printing. It currently publishes nine daily newspapers and 32 free community papers. It also owns a 33% shareholding in The Radio Network.

Powerplant Productions Limited publishes the Village Press, which is a free fortnightly publication circulated in Havelock North, Napier and Taradale. Wilson & Horton has an existing commercial arrangement with Powerplant for printing the Village Press.

Media contact: Market Structure Manager, Richard Braae

Phone work (04) 498-4720

Senior Advisor Communications Jackie Maitland

Phone work (04) 498 0920, cellphone (025) 249 3407