Commerce Amendment Act 2022

If you need more information about this Act, please contact the administering agency: Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment
  • Section 48(2) and (3) and the Schedule: editorial changes made, on 8 November 2022, under sections 86(1) and 87(l)(iii) and (iv) of the Legislation Act 2019 (2019 No 58).
Coat of Arms of New Zealand

Commerce Amendment Act 2022

Public Act
 
2022 No 11
Date of assent
 
5 April 2022
Commencement
 
see section 2

Contents

1Title
2Commencement
3Principal Act
Part 1
Amendments to principal Act
4Section 2 amended (Interpretation)
5Section 3 amended (Certain terms defined in relation to competition)
6Section 6A amended (Special provisions relating to application of Act to the Crown in right of Australia and to Australian Crown corporations)
7Section 7 amended (Law relating to restraint of trade and breaches of confidence not affected)
8Section 9 amended (Membership of Commission)
9Section 13 amended (Termination of appointment of members)
10Cross-heading above section 27 replaced
Contracts, arrangements, understandings, or covenants substantially lessening competition
11Section 28 amended (Covenants substantially lessening competition prohibited)
12Section 30 amended (Prohibition on entering into or giving effect to cartel provision)
13Section 30A amended (Meaning of cartel provision and related terms)
14Section 30B amended (Additional interpretation relating to cartel provisions)
15Section 30C amended (Cartel provisions generally unenforceable)
16Section 31 amended (Exception for collaborative activity)
17Sections 36 and 36A and cross-heading above section 36 replaced
Misuse of market power
36Misuse of market power
36AMisuse of market power in trans-Tasman markets
18Section 44A amended (Exceptions in relation to international liner shipping services)
19Section 44B amended (Further exception in relation to international liner shipping services (price fixing in relation to space on ship))
20Section 45 repealed (Exceptions in relation to intellectual property rights)
21Section 46 amended (Saving in respect of business acquisitions)
22Section 48 amended (Interpretation)
23Section 51A amended (Competition study terms of reference)
24Section 58 amended (Commission may grant authorisation for restrictive trade practices)
25Section 58A amended (Effect of authorisation)
26Section 58B amended (Additional provisions relating to authorisations)
27Section 59 amended (Contracts or covenants subject to authorisation not prohibited under certain conditions)
28Section 59A amended (When Commission may grant authorisation)
29Section 61 amended (Determination of applications for authorisation of restrictive trade practices)
30New section 65AAA inserted (Commission may grant interim authorisation)
65AAACommission may grant interim authorisation
31Section 65AA amended (Applications during epidemic period)
32Section 65AD amended (Provisional authorisations for certain applications made during epidemic period)
33Section 65A amended (Commission may give clearances relating to cartel provisions)
34Section 65B amended (Effect of clearance under section 65A)
35Section 69 amended (Effect of clearance or authorisation)
36Section 80C amended (Court may order certain persons to be excluded from management of body corporate)
37Section 82B amended (Offence relating to cartel prohibition)
38Section 83 amended (Pecuniary penalties relating to business acquisitions)
39Section 89 amended (Other orders)
40Section 92 amended (Persons entitled to appeal)
41New cross-heading above section 98 inserted
Powers relating to evidence
42New sections 99AA and 99AB and cross-headings inserted
Power to share information and documents with public service agencies, statutory entities, Reserve Bank, and New Zealand Police
99AASharing of information and documents with public service agencies, statutory entities, Reserve Bank, and New Zealand Police
99ABCommission may impose conditions on provision of information or documents
Assistance to overseas regulators
43Section 99C amended (Definitions of terms used in sections 99B to 99P)
44New cross-heading above section 100 inserted
Offences, regulations, and administrative provisions
Part 2
Transitional, related, and consequential amendments
45Consequential amendment to Fair Trading Act 1986
46Consequential amendment to Takeovers Act 1993
47Consequential amendment to Fuel Industry Act 2020
48Schedule 1AA amended
Schedule
New Part 5 inserted into Schedule 1AA
Legislative history
Administrative information

The Parliament of New Zealand enacts as follows:

1 Title

This Act is the Commerce Amendment Act 2022.

2 Commencement

(1)

Section 31 commences on the day after Royal assent.

(2)

Sections 4(1), (3), (4), (6), (8), and (9), 8, 9, 22, 23, 27(8), 30, 32, 38, and 41 to 47 commence 1 month after Royal assent.

(3)

Section 48(2) commences 6 months after Royal assent.

(4)

The rest of this Act commences on the first anniversary of Royal assent.

3 Principal Act

This Act amends the Commerce Act 1986 (the principal Act).

Part 1 Amendments to principal Act

4 Section 2 amended (Interpretation)

(1)

In section 2(1), insert in their appropriate alphabetical order:

overseas regulator means an overseas body that has competition law functions corresponding to those of the Commission under this Act

public service agency means any of the agencies listed in section 10(a) of the Public Service Act 2020

(2)

In section 2(1), insert in its appropriate alphabetical order:

substantial means real or of substance, except in—

(a)

sections 36 and 36A when referring to a degree of power in a market; and

(b)

section 47(3) and (4); and

(c)

Part 4

(3)

In section 2(1), definition of acquire, paragraph (c), after “to”, insert “goods or services that are”.

(4)

In section 2(1), definition of business, replace paragraph (b) with:

(b)

in the course of which goods or services are acquired or supplied otherwise than free of charge

(5)

In section 2(1), definition of give effect to, replace “or understanding” with “understanding, or covenant”.

(6)

In section 2(1), definition of price, delete “or the acquisition or disposition of any interest in land”.

(7)

In section 2(1), replace the definition of provision with:

provision,—

(a)

in relation to a covenant, means a term of the covenant; and

(b)

in relation to an understanding or arrangement, means any matter forming part of or relating to the understanding or arrangement

(8)

In section 2(1), replace the definition of supply with:

supply,—

(a)

in relation to goods, includes supply (or resupply) by way of gift, sale, exchange, lease, hire, or hire purchase; and

(b)

in relation to services, includes provide, grant, or confer; and

(c)

in relation to goods or services that are interests in land, includes disposition

(9)

In section 2(1), definition of trade, delete “or to the disposition or acquisition of any interest in land”.

(10)

Repeal section 2(1A).

(11)

In section 2(2)(a)(iii), after “or the giving of,”, insert “or the giving effect to a provision of,”.

(12)

In section 2(2)(b)(iii), after “or the giving of,”, insert “or the giving effect to a provision of,”.

(13)

After section 2(6)(c), insert:

(d)

a reference to a party to a covenant means a person who—

(i)

is bound by, or entitled to the benefit of, the covenant; or

(ii)

would be bound by, or entitled to the benefit of, the covenant if not for section 28(4) or 30C.

(14)

In section 2(8)(a),—

(a)

after “understanding arrived at”, insert “, or covenant given or required to be given,”; and

(b)

replace “or arrived at” with “, arrived at, given, or required to be given”.

(15)

In section 2(9), replace “or understanding” with “understanding, or covenant” in each place.

5 Section 3 amended (Certain terms defined in relation to competition)

(1)

In section 3(1A), replace “the reference in section 36A(2)(b) and (c)” with “in section 36A”.

(2)

Repeal section 3(1B) and (1C).

(3)

In section 3(7), replace “and 28” with “, 28, 36, and 36A”.

6 Section 6A amended (Special provisions relating to application of Act to the Crown in right of Australia and to Australian Crown corporations)

(1)

In section 6A, replace “Section 36A, and Parts 6 and 7, in so far as they relate to a contravention of, or confer powers that may be exercised in relation to, that section,” with “The provisions referred to in subsection (2)”.

(2)

In section 6A, insert as subsection (2):

(2)

For the purposes of subsection (1), the provisions are—

(a)

section 36A; and

(b)

Part 5, in so far as it relates to section 36A; and

(c)

Schedule 1AA, in so far as it relates to section 36A; and

(d)

Parts 6 and 7, in so far as they relate to a contravention of, or confer powers that may be exercised in relation to,—

(i)

section 36A; or

(ii)

Part 5 or Schedule 1AA (in so far as that Part or that schedule relates to section 36A).

7 Section 7 amended (Law relating to restraint of trade and breaches of confidence not affected)

(1)

Replace the heading to section 7 with “Relationship with law on restraint of trade”.

(2)

Repeal section 7(2).

(3)

In section 7(3), delete “or subsection (2)”.

8 Section 9 amended (Membership of Commission)

(1)

In section 9(1), replace “no more than 6” with “no more than 8”.

(2)

In section 9(2), replace “no more than 5” with “no more than 7”.

9 Section 13 amended (Termination of appointment of members)

After section 13(5), insert:

(6)

To avoid doubt, a former member who is deemed to continue as a member under subsection (4) is not a member for the purposes of determining the number of members under section 9(1) or (2).

10 Cross-heading above section 27 replaced

Replace the cross-heading above section 27 with:

Contracts, arrangements, understandings, or covenants substantially lessening competition

11 Section 28 amended (Covenants substantially lessening competition prohibited)

In section 28(6), replace “Where” with “For the purposes of this section, where”.

12 Section 30 amended (Prohibition on entering into or giving effect to cartel provision)

(1)

Replace the heading to section 30 with “Contracts, arrangements, understandings, or covenants containing cartel provisions prohibited”.

(2)

After section 30(1)(a), insert:

(ab)

give, or require the giving of, a covenant that contains a cartel provision; or

13 Section 30A amended (Meaning of cartel provision and related terms)

In section 30A, replace “or understanding” with “understanding, or covenant” in each place.

14 Section 30B amended (Additional interpretation relating to cartel provisions)

In section 30B(a), replace “or understanding” with “understanding, or covenant” in each place.

15 Section 30C amended (Cartel provisions generally unenforceable)

Replace section 30C(2) with:

(2)

However, nothing in subsection (1) affects the enforceability of a cartel provision in—

(a)

a contract or covenant to which section 31 applies; or

(b)

a contract to which section 32, 33, 44A(4) or (5), or 44B applies.

16 Section 31 amended (Exception for collaborative activity)

(1)

After section 31(1), insert:

Exception for giving, or requiring the giving of, covenant containing cartel provision

(1A)

Nothing in section 30(1)(ab) applies to a person in relation to a cartel provision if, at the time of giving, or requiring the giving of, a covenant that contains the provision,—

(a)

the person and 1 or more other parties to the covenant are involved in a collaborative activity; and

(b)

the cartel provision is reasonably necessary for the purpose of the collaborative activity.

(2)

In section 31(2)(a), replace “or understanding” with “understanding, or covenant”.

(3)

In section 31(3)(a), replace “or understanding” with “understanding, or covenant”.

17 Sections 36 and 36A and cross-heading above section 36 replaced

Replace sections 36 and 36A and the cross-heading above section 36 with:

Misuse of market power

36 Misuse of market power

(1)

A person that has a substantial degree of power in a market must not engage in conduct that has the purpose, or has or is likely to have the effect, of substantially lessening competition in—

(a)

that market; or

(b)

any other market in which the person, or an interconnected person,—

(i)

supplies or acquires, or is likely to supply or acquire, goods or services; or

(ii)

supplies or acquires, or is likely to supply or acquire, goods or services indirectly through 1 or more other persons.

(2)

In this section, a person has a substantial degree of power in a market if—

(a)

the person has a substantial degree of power in the market; or

(b)

the person, together with 1 or more interconnected persons, has a substantial degree of power in the market; or

(c)

1 or more interconnected persons of the person have a substantial degree of power in the market; or

(d)

2 or more interconnected persons together have a substantial degree of power in the market.

Compare: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 s 46 (Aust)

36A Misuse of market power in trans-Tasman markets

(1)

Subsection (2) applies if 1 or more of the following applies to a person:

(a)

the person has a substantial degree of power in a market in New Zealand:

(b)

the person has a substantial degree of power in a market in Australia:

(c)

the person has a substantial degree of power in a market in New Zealand and Australia.

(2)

The person must not engage in conduct that has the purpose, or has or is likely to have the effect, of substantially lessening competition in—

(a)

a market in New Zealand in which the person has a substantial degree of power (if any) and that is not a market exclusively for services; or

(b)

any other market in New Zealand, not being a market exclusively for services, in which the person, or an interconnected person,—

(i)

supplies or acquires, or is likely to supply or acquire, goods or services; or

(ii)

supplies or acquires, or is likely to supply or acquire, goods or services indirectly through 1 or more other persons.

(3)

In this section, a person has a substantial degree of power in a market if—

(a)

the person has a substantial degree of power in the market; or

(b)

the person, together with 1 or more interconnected persons, has a substantial degree of power in the market; or

(c)

1 or more interconnected persons of the person have a substantial degree of power in the market; or

(d)

2 or more interconnected persons together have a substantial degree of power in the market.

(4)

In this section, market means a market for goods or services as well as other goods or services that, as a matter of fact and commercial common sense, are substitutable for them.

(5)

Section 36A does not limit section 36.

Compare: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 s 46A (Aust)

18 Section 44A amended (Exceptions in relation to international liner shipping services)

In section 44A(8), insert in its appropriate alphabetical order:

cartel provision means a cartel provision in a contract, arrangement, or understanding

19 Section 44B amended (Further exception in relation to international liner shipping services (price fixing in relation to space on ship))

After section 44B(4), insert:

(5)

In this section, cartel provision means a cartel provision in a contract, arrangement, or understanding.

20 Section 45 repealed (Exceptions in relation to intellectual property rights)

Repeal section 45.

21 Section 46 amended (Saving in respect of business acquisitions)

(1)

Replace section 46(a) with:

(a)

to any of the following to the extent that the contract, arrangement, understanding, or covenant provides for the acquisition or disposition of assets of a business or shares:

(i)

entering into a contract or an arrangement:

(ii)

arriving at an understanding:

(iii)

giving, or requiring the giving of, a covenant; or

(2)

In section 46(b), replace “or understanding” with “understanding, or covenant”.

22 Section 48 amended (Interpretation)

In section 48, repeal the definition of department.

23 Section 51A amended (Competition study terms of reference)

In section 51A, replace “departments” with “public service agencies” in each place.

24 Section 58 amended (Commission may grant authorisation for restrictive trade practices)

After section 58(4), insert:

(6A)

A person who wishes to engage in conduct to which that person considers section 36 or 36A would apply, or might apply, may apply to the Commission for an authorisation to do so, and the Commission may grant an authorisation for that person to engage in that conduct.

(6B)

A person who wishes to enter into a contract or an arrangement, or arrive at an understanding, that contains a provision that is, or might be, a cartel provision may apply to the Commission for an authorisation to do so, and the Commission may grant an authorisation for that person to enter into the contract or arrangement, or arrive at the understanding.

(6C)

A person who wishes to give, or require the giving of, a covenant that contains a provision that is, or might be, a cartel provision may apply to the Commission for an authorisation to do so, and the Commission may grant an authorisation for that person to give, or require the giving of, the covenant.

(6D)

A person who wishes to give effect to a provision of a contract, arrangement, understanding, or covenant that is, or might be, a cartel provision may apply to the Commission for an authorisation to do so, and the Commission may grant an authorisation for that person to give effect to that provision.

25 Section 58A amended (Effect of authorisation)

(1)

In section 58A(1) and (2), replace “or 30C” with “30C, 36, or 36A”.

(2)

In section 58A(3), replace “subsection (3) of section 58 remains in force, nothing in section 28 shall prevent” with “section 58(3) remains in force, nothing in section 28, 30, 30C, 36, or 36A prevents”.

(3)

In section 58A(4), replace “subsection (4) of section 58 remains in force, nothing in section 28 shall prevent” with “section 58(4) remains in force, nothing in section 28, 30, 30C, 36, or 36A prevents”.

(4)

After section 58A(4), insert:

(4A)

While an authorisation under section 58(6A) remains in force, nothing in section 27, 28, 30, 30C, 36, 36A, 37, or 38 prevents an applicant from engaging in conduct to which the authorisation relates in accordance with the authorisation.

(4B)

While an authorisation under section 58(6B) remains in force, nothing in section 27, 30, 30C, 36, or 36A prevents an applicant from—

(a)

entering into the contract or arrangement, or arriving at the understanding, to which the authorisation relates; or

(b)

in accordance with the authorisation, giving effect to any cartel provision in the contract, arrangement, or understanding to which the authorisation relates.

(4C)

While an authorisation under section 58(6C) remains in force, nothing in section 28, 30, 30C, 36, or 36A prevents an applicant from—

(a)

giving, or requiring the giving of, the covenant to which the authorisation relates; or

(b)

giving effect to any cartel provision of the covenant to which the authorisation relates in accordance with the authorisation.

(4D)

While an authorisation under section 58(6D) remains in force, nothing in section 27, 28, 30, 30C, 36, or 36A prevents an applicant from giving effect to any cartel provision of the contract, arrangement, understanding, or covenant to which the authorisation relates in accordance with the authorisation.

(5)

In section 58A(5), replace “subsection (7) of section 58 remains in force, nothing in section 37 shall prevent” with “section 58(7) remains in force, nothing in section 36, 36A, or 37 prevents”.

(6)

In section 58A(6), replace “subsection (8) of section 58 remains in force, nothing in section 38 shall prevent” with “section 58(8) remains in force, nothing in section 36, 36A, or 38 prevents”.

26 Section 58B amended (Additional provisions relating to authorisations)

(1)

Replace section 58B(1) with:

(1)

An authorisation granted to a person under section 58 has effect as if it were also an authorisation in the same terms to every other person named or referred to in the application for the authorisation as—

(a)

a party to the contract, arrangement, understanding, conduct, practice, or act to which the application relates; or

(b)

a person who is or would be bound by, or entitled to the benefit of, the covenant to which the application relates.

(2)

In section 58B(2)(b), replace “or understanding” with “understanding, or covenant” in each place.

27 Section 59 amended (Contracts or covenants subject to authorisation not prohibited under certain conditions)

(1)

In section 59(1)(a), after “section 27”, insert “or 30(1)(a)”.

(2)

After section 59(1)(a), insert:

(aa)

a contract the entry into which is, or the giving effect to a provision of which would be, conduct to which section 36 or 36A applies may be entered into if the requirements of subsection (2) are complied with:

(3)

In section 59(1)(b), after “section 28”, insert “or 30(1)(ab)”.

(4)

After section 59(1)(b), insert:

(c)

a covenant the requiring of the giving of which, or the giving of which, is conduct to which section 36 or 36A applies may be required to be given, or may be given, if the requirements of subsection (2) are complied with.

(5)

In section 59(2)(a), replace “to which section 27 applies” with “described in subsection (1)(a)”.

(6)

After section 59(2)(a), insert:

(aa)

in the case of a contract described in subsection (1)(aa), that the contract is subject to a condition that the contract does not come into force unless and until authorisation is granted to engage in the conduct to which section 36 or 36A applies and that an application must be made for that authorisation within 15 working days after the contract is entered into:

(7)

In section 59(2)(b),—

(a)

replace “to which section 28 applies” with “described in subsection (1)(b) or (c)”; and

(b)

after “to it”, insert “, or to engage in the conduct to which section 36 or 36A applies, as the case may be,”.

(8)

After section 59(2), insert:

(3)

The condition referred to in subsection (2)(a) or (b) may provide for the provision to come into force, or the covenant to have effect, as the case may be, on the basis of an interim authorisation being granted under section 65AAA, but only if the condition also provides for the provision or covenant to cease to have effect immediately if—

(a)

the interim authorisation ceases to be in force; and

(b)

the authorisation under section 58 has not been granted.

(9)

Replace section 59(3) (as inserted by subsection (8)) with:

(3)

The condition referred to in subsection (2)(a), (aa), or (b) may provide for the provision or the contract to come into force, or the covenant to have effect, as the case may be, on the basis of an interim authorisation being granted under section 65AAA, but only if the condition also provides for the provision, contract, or covenant to cease to have effect immediately if—

(a)

the interim authorisation ceases to be in force; and

(b)

the authorisation under section 58 has not been granted.

28 Section 59A amended (When Commission may grant authorisation)

In section 59A(1)(b), after “arrived at,”, insert “or a covenant given,”.

29 Section 61 amended (Determination of applications for authorisation of restrictive trade practices)

(1)

In section 61, replace “shall” with “must” in each place.

(2)

In section 61(6), replace “pursuant to an application under section 58(1) to (4)” with “relating to an application under section 58(1) to (6A)”.

(3)

In section 61(6)(d), replace “covenant— ” with “covenant; or”.

(4)

After section 61(6)(d), insert:

(e)

engaging in the conduct—

(5)

Replace section 61(8) with:

(8)

The Commission must not make a determination granting an authorisation relating to an application under section 58(6B) to (8) unless it is satisfied that the following matter to which the application relates will in all the circumstances result, or be likely to result, in such a benefit to the public that the matter should be permitted:

(a)

entry into the contract or arrangement, or arriving at the understanding:

(b)

giving, or requiring the giving of, the covenant:

(c)

giving effect to the provision of the contract, arrangement, understanding, or covenant:

(d)

engaging in the practice of resale price maintenance:

(e)

the act or conduct.

(9)

For the purposes of section 58(6B) to (6D) and subsection (8)(a) to (c), it is not necessary for the Commission to determine whether a particular provision is in fact a cartel provision, providing there are reasonable grounds for believing that it might be.

30 New section 65AAA inserted (Commission may grant interim authorisation)

After section 65, insert:

65AAA Commission may grant interim authorisation

(1)

The Commission may make a determination in writing granting an interim authorisation for an application under section 58 if the Commission considers it is appropriate to do so.

(2)

The Commission is not required to comply with section 61(5) to (9) before granting an interim authorisation.

(3)

For the purposes of this section, a reference in any of sections 58A, 58B, 59A, 59B, 61(2), 65, 92, 104, 105, and 106(10) to an authorisation must be treated as if it were a reference to an interim authorisation.

(4)

An interim authorisation remains in force until—

(a)

the applicant withdraws its application for an authorisation; or

(b)

the Commission revokes the interim authorisation under section 65; or

(c)

the Commission declines or grants the application for an authorisation under section 58.

(5)

Subsection (4) does not limit the Commission’s ability to grant an interim authorisation for such period as the Commission sees fit.

31 Section 65AA amended (Applications during epidemic period)

Replace section 65AA(1)(b) with:

(b)

ending at the earlier of the following:

(i)

the close of the 6-month period that starts on the date on which the Epidemic Preparedness (COVID-19) Notice 2020 expires or is revoked:

(ii)

the date on which section 24 of the Commerce Amendment Act 2022 (which amends section 58) comes into force.

32 Section 65AD amended (Provisional authorisations for certain applications made during epidemic period)

(1)

In section 65AD(4), delete “59(1)(a) and (2)(a),”.

(2)

After section 65AD(4), insert:

(4A)

If section 32(1) of the Commerce Amendment Act 2022 amends subsection (4) of this section during the epidemic period,—

(a)

subsection (4), as in force before that amendment was made, continues to apply for the purposes of this section (as if that amendment had not been made) in respect of contracts to which section 59(1)(a) of this Act applies that are entered into before section 32(1) of the Commerce Amendment Act 2022 came into force (and, for the purposes of this paragraph, section 59(3) of this Act is disregarded):

(b)

in respect of contracts to which section 59(1)(a) of this Act applies that are entered into on or after section 32(1) of the Commerce Amendment Act 2022 came into force, section 59(3) of this Act applies for the purposes of this section as if the reference to—

(i)

an interim authorisation granted under section 65AAA is a reference to a provisional authorisation granted under this section; and

(ii)

an authorisation under section 58 includes a reference to an authorisation under section 65AA.

33 Section 65A amended (Commission may give clearances relating to cartel provisions)

(1)

Replace section 65A(1) with:

(1)

A person who proposes to do any of the following may apply to the Commission for a clearance under this section:

(a)

enter into a contract or an arrangement that contains, or may contain, a cartel provision:

(b)

arrive at an understanding that contains, or may contain, a cartel provision:

(c)

give, or require the giving of, a covenant that contains, or may contain, a cartel provision.

(2)

In section 65A(2)(a) and (b), replace “or understanding” with “understanding, or covenant”.

(3)

Replace section 65A(2)(c) with:

(c)

the following will not have, or would not be likely to have, the effect of substantially lessening competition in a market:

(i)

entering into the contract or arrangement:

(ii)

arriving at the understanding:

(iii)

giving, or requiring the giving of, the covenant:

(iv)

giving effect to any provision of the contract, arrangement, understanding, or covenant.

34 Section 65B amended (Effect of clearance under section 65A)

(1)

In section 65B, replace “or understanding” with “understanding, or covenant” in each place.

(2)

In section 65B, replace “or 30” with “, 28, 30, 36, or 36A” in each place.

(3)

In section 65B(a), after “the understanding”, insert “, or giving, or requiring the giving of, the covenant”.

35 Section 69 amended (Effect of clearance or authorisation)

In section 69, after “27,”, insert “36, 36A,”.

36 Section 80C amended (Court may order certain persons to be excluded from management of body corporate)

(1)

After section 80C(a), insert:

(ab)

given, or required the giving of, a covenant that contains a cartel provision; or

(2)

In section 80C(b), replace “or understanding” with “understanding, or covenant”.

37 Section 82B amended (Offence relating to cartel prohibition)

(1)

After section 82B(1)(a), insert:

(ab)

the person,—

(i)

in contravention of section 30(1)(ab), gives, or requires the giving of, a covenant that contains a cartel provision; and

(ii)

intends, at the time the person gives or requires the giving of the covenant, to engage in price fixing, restricting output, or market allocating; or

(2)

In section 82B(4), after “section 30(1)(a)”, insert “, (ab),”.

38 Section 83 amended (Pecuniary penalties relating to business acquisitions)

(1)

Repeal section 83(1A).

(2)

In section 83(2), replace “shall” with “must”.

(3)

After section 83(2), insert:

(3)

The amount of any pecuniary penalty must not, in respect of each act or omission, exceed,—

(a)

in the case of an individual, $500,000; or

(b)

in any other case, the greater of the following:

(i)

$10 million:

(ii)

either,—

(A)

if it can be readily ascertained and if the court is satisfied that the contravention occurred in the course of producing a commercial gain, 3 times the value of any commercial gain resulting from the contravention; or

(B)

if the commercial gain cannot readily be ascertained, 10% of the turnover of the person and all its interconnected bodies corporate (if any) in each accounting period in which the contravention occurred.

39 Section 89 amended (Other orders)

In section 89(3), replace “person who, but for section 28(4) would be bound by or entitled to the benefit of” with “party to” in each place.

40 Section 92 amended (Persons entitled to appeal)

In section 92(ba)(ii), replace “or understanding” with “understanding, or covenant”.

41 New cross-heading above section 98 inserted

Before section 98, insert:

Powers relating to evidence

42 New sections 99AA and 99AB and cross-headings inserted

After section 99, insert:

Power to share information and documents with public service agencies, statutory entities, Reserve Bank, and New Zealand Police

99AA Sharing of information and documents with public service agencies, statutory entities, Reserve Bank, and New Zealand Police

(1)

The Commission may provide to a public service agency, a statutory entity, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, or the New Zealand Police any information, or a copy of any document, that the Commission—

(a)

holds in relation to the performance or exercise of the Commission’s functions, powers, or duties under this Act or any other legislation; and

(b)

considers may assist the public service agency, statutory entity, the Reserve Bank, or the New Zealand Police in the performance or exercise of its functions, powers, or duties under this Act or any other legislation.

(2)

The Commission may provide information, or a copy of a document, under this section only if the Commission is satisfied that—

(a)

doing so will not substantially affect the performance of its other functions; and

(b)

appropriate protections are or will be in place for the purpose of maintaining the confidentiality of anything provided (in particular, information that is personal information within the meaning of the Privacy Act 2020).

(3)

The Commission may use any information, or a copy of any document, in the Commission’s performance or exercise of its functions, powers, or duties under any legislation if the information or copy is provided to the Commission—

(a)

by a public service agency, a statutory entity, the Reserve Bank, or the New Zealand Police under any legislation; or

(b)

by an overseas regulator.

(4)

In this section and section 99AB, statutory entity means an entity or office named in Schedule 1 of the Crown Entities Act 2004.

(5)

This section applies despite anything to the contrary in any contract, deed, or document.

(6)

Nothing in this section limits the Privacy Act 2020 or section 29 of the Fuel Industry Act 2020.

99AB Commission may impose conditions on provision of information or documents

(1)

The Commission may impose any conditions in relation to providing information, or a copy of a document, to a public service agency, a statutory entity, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, or the New Zealand Police (whether provided in compliance with a request or otherwise).

(2)

The Commission must, in considering what conditions to impose, have regard to whether conditions are necessary or desirable in order to protect the privacy of any individual.

(3)

The conditions may include, without limitation, conditions relating to—

(a)

maintaining the confidentiality of anything provided (in particular, information that is personal information within the meaning of the Privacy Act 2020):

(b)

the storing of, the use of, or access to anything provided:

(c)

the copying, returning, or disposing of copies of documents provided:

(d)

payment of the costs incurred by the Commission in providing anything or in generally complying with a request.

(4)

This section does not limit section 100.

Assistance to overseas regulators

43 Section 99C amended (Definitions of terms used in sections 99B to 99P)

In section 99C, repeal the definition of overseas regulator.

44 New cross-heading above section 100 inserted

After section 99P, insert:

Offences, regulations, and administrative provisions

Part 2 Transitional, related, and consequential amendments

45 Consequential amendment to Fair Trading Act 1986

(1)

This section amends the Fair Trading Act 1986.

(2)

Repeal section 48A.

46 Consequential amendment to Takeovers Act 1993

(1)

This section amends the Takeovers Act 1993.

(2)

In section 15B(2), replace “section 48A of the Fair Trading Act 1986” with “section 99AA of the Commerce Act 1986”.

47 Consequential amendment to Fuel Industry Act 2020

(1)

This section amends the Fuel Industry Act 2020.

(2)

In section 29(5), after “Privacy Act 2020”, insert “or section 99AA of the Commerce Act 1986”.

48 Schedule 1AA amended

(1)

In Schedule 1AA, clause 12, insert as subclause (2):

(2)

Subclause (1) applies on and after section 65AE repeals sections 65AA to 65AD. If the epidemic period, as defined in section 65AA(1), ends on the date on which section 24 of the Commerce Amendment Act 2022 comes into force, see clause 20.

(2)

In Schedule 1AA, after Part 4, insert the Part 5 set out in Part 1 of the Schedule of this Act.

(3)

In Schedule 1AA, after clause 14 (as inserted by subsection (2)), insert the clauses 18 to 27 set out in Part 2 of the Schedule of this Act.

Schedule New Part 5 inserted into Schedule 1AA

s 48(2), (3)

Part 1 Transitional provisions that come into force 6 months after Royal assent

Part 5 Provisions relating to Commerce Amendment Act 2022

16 Interpretation

(1)

In this Part,—

1-year transitional period means the period that starts on the commencement date and ends at the close of the first anniversary of the commencement date

Amendment Act means the Commerce Amendment Act 2022

commencement date means the first anniversary of Royal assent for the Amendment Act.

(2)

In this Part,—

(a)

a reference to a section or Part (for example, section 36) is a reference to that section as in force on and from the commencement date; and

(b)

a reference to a former section or Part (for example, former Part 2) is a reference to that section or Part as in force immediately before the commencement date.

17 Authorisation under new section 58(6A) to (6D) may be granted before that section comes into force

(1)

This clause applies—

(a)

before the commencement date; but

(b)

as if sections 30, 36, 36A, 58(6A) to (6D), 58B, 59, 59A, and 61 were in force.

(2)

A person may apply to the Commission under section 58(6A) to (6D) for an authorisation.

(3)

The Commission may grant the authorisation.

(4)

Sections 58B, 59, 59A, and 61 apply in relation to an application made under this clause.

(5)

An authorisation granted under this clause may only take effect on or after the commencement date.

Part 2 Transitional provisions that come into force on first anniversary of Royal assent

18 Application of cartel prohibition to covenants in force before commencement date

During the 1-year transitional period, nothing in section 30(1)(b) applies in relation to a covenant that is given, or required to be given, before the commencement date.

19 Application of sections 36 and 36A to contracts, arrangements, understandings, and covenants in force before commencement date

Sections 36 and 36A apply to conduct that gives effect to a contract, arrangement, understanding, or covenant whether—

(a)

the contract or arrangement was entered into before, on, or after the commencement date; or

(b)

the understanding was arrived at before, on, or after the commencement date; or

(c)

the covenant was given, or required to be given, before, on, or after the commencement date.

20 Conduct authorised before sections 36 and 36A replaced continues to be authorised

(1)

Nothing in section 36 or 36A applies to any conduct—

(a)

to which former Part 2 applied; and

(b)

that, before the commencement date, was authorised under the former Part 5.

(2)

Nothing in section 36 or 36A applies to any conduct—

(a)

to which former Part 2 applied; and

(b)

in respect of which an application for an authorisation under the former Part 5 was—

(i)

made before the commencement date; and

(ii)

approved on or after the commencement date.

(3)

See former sections 36(1) and 36A(1).

21 Application of former section 45 to existing statutory intellectual property rights

Despite its repeal, former section 45(1)(b) continues to apply during the 1-year transitional period in relation to a contract, arrangement, or understanding that was—

(a)

described in former section 45(1)(a); and

(b)

entered into, or arrived at, before the commencement date.

22 Sections 58A, 58B, and 59 apply to existing authorisations

Sections 58A, 58B, and 59 apply to an authorisation granted by the Commission under former section 58 before the commencement date.

23 Savings provisions if epidemic period under sections 65AA to 65AD ended by Amendment Act

(1)

This clause applies if the epidemic period, as defined in section 65AA(1), ends on the date on which section 24 of the Amendment Act comes into force (see section 65AA(1)(b)(ii).

(2)

If this clause applies, it applies in relation to the following applications for an authorisation that are made on or after the date on which the epidemic period ends but before the close of the 6-month period that starts on the date on which the Epidemic Preparedness (COVID-19) Notice 2020 expires or is revoked:

(a)

an application for an authorisation under section 58(1), (2), or (6B):

(b)

an application for an authorisation under section 58(6D) that relates to giving effect to a provision of a contract, arrangement, or understanding that is, or may be, a cartel provision.

(3)

Despite section 60(1), the Commission may, in its discretion, waive all or part of any fee payable for the application.

(4)

Despite section 61(5), the Commission may, in its discretion, determine the application without complying with section 62.

24 Section 65B applies to existing clearances

Section 65B applies to a clearance given by the Commission under former section 65A before the commencement date.

25 Section 69 applies to existing clearances and authorisations

Section 69 applies in relation to a clearance or an authorisation whether the clearance was given, or the authorisation was granted, before, on, or after the commencement date.

26 Court may make order in relation to covenant only if given on or after commencement date

Section 80C applies to a covenant only if the covenant is given, or required to be given, on or after the commencement date.

27 Offence under section 82B(1)(b) does not apply in relation to covenants given before commencement date

Section 82B(1)(b) does not apply to a person who gives effect to a cartel provision in a covenant given, or required to be given, before the commencement date.

Legislative history

10 March 2021

Introduction (Bill 9–1)

16 March 2021

First reading and referral to Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee

14 September 2021

Reported from Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee (Bill 9–2)

9 November 2021

Second reading

8 March 2022

Committee of the whole House (Bill 9–3)

30 March 2022

Third reading

5 April 2022

Royal assent

This Act is administered by the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment.