Supermarket debate shift 'encouraging' as Labour, National campaign on reform
New Zealand political parties are proposing various reforms to the grocery sector to increase competition and lower prices. Labour, National, and the Greens have all introduced policies aimed at breaking the dominance of major wholesalers and supporting smaller retailers.
Why it matters
Grocery reform is a major domestic issue in New Zealand, directly impacting the cost of living for citizens and the viability of small businesses.
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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is speaking to Morning Report shortly. Listen live on the player above, the RNZ app or your local RNZ frequency .
Consumer NZ is pleased the political debate on the grocery sector has shifted towards finding solutions and away from debating whether or not there is a problem.
On Sunday, Labour revealed its plans to increase competition in the grocery sector by focusing on the wholesale side .
It follows National and New Zealand First's plans to split up Foodstuffs , and the Greens' policy to create a state-owned KiwiMart .
If elected, Labour would force Foodstuffs and Woolworths to run their wholesale arms independently from their retail arms.
The party would give smaller stores guaranteed access to wholesale products, preventing wholesalers cutting off supply.
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