By SIMON HENDERY
Pioneering bungy company AJ Hackett has dangled the issue of safety in front of the Commerce Commission as it seeks approval to buy a rival jump business.
AJ Hackett's parent company, Bungy NZ, wants clearance to acquire Pipeline Bungy, which operates at Queenstown's Skippers Canyon.
In its application, Bungy NZ says the company wants to acquire Pipeline because "its current owners wish to concentrate on other activities".
"They [Bungy NZ] also wish to acquire Pipeline Bungy because of a concern about the safety aspects of the operation, which could affect the reputation of the wider market."
Bungy NZ has previously given safety and operational advice to Pipeline, and helped train its staff.
The 102m Pipeline was the country's highest bungy jump until AJ Hackett opened the 134m Nevis Highwire, also in Queenstown.
AJ Hackett also runs two other bungy sites in Queenstown, and a jump from the Auckland Harbour Bridge, and another at Kawarau.
In its application, Bungy NZ says without its input, Pipeline may have lost its potential as a viable business.
If its takeover is approved, Bungy NZ says it will run the Skippers Canyon jump under the Pipeline name, "but adding all the AJ Hackett Bungy expertise and safety standards ... "
Pipeline is a joint venture between Skippers Canyon Jet and iwi-owned Ngai Tahu Tourism. Bungy NZ's application is conditional on Ngai Tahu first becoming the sole owner of Pipeline.
Bungy pioneer bids for rival
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