We are delighted to contribute to the Merger Control 2026 Chambers Global Practice Guide. Our New Zealand chapter provides a practical guide to the merger control regime in New Zealand and an overview of the key legal and procedural considerations relevant to mergers and acquisitions. This guide is a useful reference for businesses and advisers navigating the regulatory landscape, whether planning a transaction or seeking to understand their obligations under New Zealand competition law.
The chapter covers key aspects of New Zealand merger control, including the role of the Commerce Commission, the merger assessment framework, clearance and authorisation processes, cross-border considerations, enforcement of the merger provisions, and proposed changes to merger control laws, which may be in effect from early 2027.
The chapter was contributed by Sarah Keene, Jordan Cox, Antonia Horrocks, and Victoria Fowler from Webb Henderson’s New Zealand competition team. Read our New Zealand chapter here