Supermarkets v super markets: National’s Foodstuffs split is no betrayal of conservative values - Liam Hehir
This opinion piece argues that the New Zealand National Party's proposal to break up the Foodstuffs supermarket co-operative is consistent with conservative principles. The author draws historical parallels to American antitrust actions to justify market intervention.
Why it matters
The article explores the intersection of conservative political ideology and market competition policy.
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National finance spokeswoman Nicola Willis and leader Christopher Luxon during their policy announcement to split up Foodstuffs. Photo / Mark Mitchell
I am not completely certain that a forced unwinding of Foodstuffs co-operative structure is necessarily the optimal policy for creating more grocery competition. And even if it is shown to be the best course in theory, I would not be certain about our ability to implement it cleanly. What I am certain about, however, is that there is no betrayal of centre-right or conservative principles in at least giving the matter proper consideration.
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