The New Zealand competition watchdog has pushed the date for a final decision on the proposed merger between media companies NZME and Fairfax New Zealand to April 11, instead of March 15.
New Zealand's two dominant media players in September 2016 agreed to a merger deal that would give Australia's Fairfax Media a 41 per cent stake in the combined business, but the competition watchdog has said it will likely oppose the plan as it would substantially lessen competition in a number of markets.
NZME and Fairfax on Friday said they have provided a significant amount of information to the NZ Competition Commission since then, substantiating their arguments in favour of the deal.
