Carter Holt and Waste Management team up

Two New Zealand companies have teamed up to take to court four city and district councils they claim are illegally trying to impose taxes on their rubbish collection and recycling businesses.

Carter Holt Harvey is suing Rodney District, Waitakere City and North Shore City councils, while Waste Management is suing the three councils plus Christchurch city council.

Waste Management argued a rival company with landfills outside the boundaries of these councils would face an advantage, because they would not have to pay the levies.

Carter Holt argued that recyclable paper produced at its Kinleith and Penrose mills was not waste, and the councils had no power to impose levies on the paper which was delivered to private recycling operations outside their areas.

The case is continuing in the Auckland High Court.

- NZPA