Greens vow to break up supermarket duopoly, set up publicly owned 'KiwiMart'
New Zealand's Green Party has proposed the creation of a state-owned supermarket chain, 'KiwiMart,' to challenge the existing duopoly and lower food prices. The plan involves the government purchasing 120 stores and distribution centers to increase market competition.
Why it matters
This represents a significant interventionist economic policy aimed at addressing cost-of-living crises through public ownership.
The Green Party is campaigning on establishing a publicly owned supermarket chain to break up the duopoly and drive down food prices.
The initiative is part of its 'Affordable Kai' policy which would cost more than $6 billion over four years, and included expanding the school lunch programme.
Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said successive governments had failed to lure an existing chain to New Zealand to introduce competition in the sector, which is dominated by Foodstuffs and Woolworths.
"That's why today we are announcing the real solution: a supermarket owned by all New Zealanders, for all New Zealanders," she said.
"We're not short of supermarkets, we're short of competition. As experts have noted, divestment - that is, buying already existing stores - is key to breaking up the duopoly."
The publicly owned chain, KiwiMart, would be mandated to prioritise affordability.
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