Origin Pacific to jetison subsidiaries

Two Origin Pacific companies look set to be struck off the Companies Register.

But Origin Pacific director Mike Pero today said the companies were not ones which the Nelson-based airline currently traded under.

The two companies being removed from the register are Origin Pacific Air Freight Ltd and Origin Pacific Airlines Ltd. The company currently trades under the name Origin Pacific Airways.

A public notice in yesterday's Nelson Mail said the two companies were being removed from the companies register for failing to pay the prescribed fees. The companies had 20 working days to pay the fees to prevent being struck off.

Mr Pero suggested he was happy for that to happen.

It was a "technical" and "marketing" move to bring the company under one name, he said.

"We are just tidying up and consolidating companies."

Companies Office records show the two companies were only registered in January this year, with Origin Pacific managing director Robert Inglis being listed as the sole shareholder.

Mr Inglis could not be reached for comment this morning but Mr Pero said the decision to consolidate companies was made at a recent board meeting.

He denied the move had anything to do with problems Origin had faced with creditors.

"You can't just change your company name to avoid debt."

Companies Office regional manager Mary Harris said any company removed from the register lost their limited liability status, meaning the personal assets of the company's owners were no longer protected.

Mrs Harris said companies could get reinstated to the register by paying outstanding fees and any further registration costs.

- NZPA