Whangārei-based telecommunications provider Uber Group has not been granted an interim injunction to restrain United States-based Uber Technologies, the ride share and meal delivery service, from partnering with One NZ to offer telecommunications services in Northland.

The decision was handed down by Justice Mathew Downs in the High Court today. Justice Downs found there was a serious question to be tried but declined to grant an interim injunction on the basis of the balance of convenience.

Uber Group Managing Director Hayden Simon had earlier said he was forced to take legal action after repeated attempts to engage with Uber Technologies and One NZ were rebuffed.

“While this is not the outcome we were hoping for, we are pleased to note the Court was satisfied there is a serious issue to be tried, but this result means we have to consider the decision and our next moves,” he said.

Uber Group applied to the High Court for an interim injunction against Uber Technologies, One NZ, and Uber New Zealand Technologies Limited. The hearing was on 23 October in the High Court, Auckland.

The privately owned New Zealand company has offered broadband and telecommunications services across the Upper North Island since 2005, pre-dating by several years the arrival of Uber Technologies in New Zealand and its recent partnership with One NZ.

There is no commercial or corporate link between Uber Group and either Uber Technologies Inc or Uber New Zealand Technologies Limited.