NZ Super has its nose in front in the two-horse race for Healthscope’s pathology business in New Zealand.

NZ Super has its nose in front in the two-horse race for Healthscope’s pathology business in New Zealand.
Brookfield’s close to finalising the sale of Healthscope’s pathology unit in New Zealand.  Louie Douvis
It is understood NZ Super has been nominated as preferred bidder and is receiving plenty of attention from Healthscope, its owner Brookfield and bankers at JPMorgan, in an effort to finalise a transaction.
NZ Super would tick a few boxes for Healthscope, and other stakeholders including the New Zealand government. It’s well resourced, takes a long-term view and seen as a relatively safe pair of hands to take what is an essential service provider across the Tasman.
The other buyer is Singapore’s Keppel, which is believed to have been asked to sharpen its offer if it wants to remain in the auction. Keppel’s best known locally for buying Blackstone’s chemicals business IXOM in 2018.
Up for grabs is Healthscope’s pathology business, which is one of the biggest players in New Zealand’s pathology services market.