Two laboratory testing companies in Waikato have been fined more than $100,000 for breaching competition laws.
The Commerce Commission says the companies agreed to a moratorium on competition because they were expecting to merge, which did not happen.
New Zealand Diagnostic Group was fined $65,000, and Pathology Associates $35,000 for breaching the Commerce Act.
The regulator says the agreement was not about the price of services, but that they would not compete for each other's customers.
The agreement also involved Waikato District Health Board through its hospital laboratory, but it is not facing any action because of a lack of evidence.
