Election 2026: Greens promise to nationalise 120 supermarkets, costing $2.8 billion
New Zealand's Green Party has proposed nationalizing 120 supermarkets to create a government-owned chain called 'KiwiMart' to combat high food prices. The policy aims to break the current supermarket duopoly and prioritize affordability for consumers.
Why it matters
This is a radical economic proposal that challenges free-market norms in the grocery sector and highlights the political debate over cost-of-living solutions.
Green Party co-leaders Chlöe Swarbrick (left) and Marama Davidson. Photo / Sylvie Whinray
The Green Party is promising to nationalise 120 Woolworths and Foodstuffs supermarkets to create a new Government-owned supermarket, KiwiMart, if elected.
The party says the Parliamentary Library costed the policy at $2.8 billion, comprising the cost of nationalising 120 stores and two distribution centres at $1.3b, with a further $1.5b to capitalise KiwiMart as a commercially viable competitor. KiwiMart would have a mandate to prioritise affordability.
Green Party co-leaders Chlöe Swarbrick and Marama Davidson announced the policy this morning in Auckland, saying it would help break up the power of the supermarket duopoly. The Green Party would create its supermarket chain by forcing the sale of 120 stores to the Government.
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