By Colin Ambler/cvnznew.com
New Zealand First has unveiled a new election policy aimed at breaking up the supermarket duopoly, arguing it will deliver fairer prices for families and restore balance for local food producers.
The announcement comes as the party records its latest position in the 1News Verian Poll, alongside the newest preferred‑Prime‑Minister rating for leader Winston Peters.
The party says New Zealanders have endured years of rising grocery bills while Woolworths and Foodstuffs control more than 80 percent of the market. The Commerce Commission has previously reported the two major chains earning around $1 million a day in excess profits, a figure New Zealand First says highlights the scale of the imbalance.
Examples across the supply chain were cited, including a grower receiving just 60 cents per kilogram of peas, which later retailed for up to $5.79. The party says the current system contributes to job losses and uncertainty for producers such as McCain Foods and Heinz Wattie’s, while households continue to face pressure at the checkout.
New Zealand First’s policy would legislate to split Foodstuffs into two nationwide cooperatives based on brand:
• one for New World and Four Square
• one for Pak’nSave
Both would then compete directly with Woolworths New Zealand. The party argues that “real competition” would force prices down, improve value, and ensure fairer treatment of suppliers.
The policy also proposes tougher penalties and faster investigations for the Commerce Commission, lifting fines for serious breaches to match Australian levels — up to $10 million, three times the gain, or 10 percent of turnover.
The role of the Groceries Commissioner, established in 2023, would be strengthened with powers to investigate, issue binding decisions, and impose penalties.
A new framework under the Commerce Act would allow targeted action to address competition problems more quickly, ensuring smaller producers are not squeezed out by dominant players controlling access to supermarket shelves.
New Zealand First says the era of “easy profits and zero accountability” for supermarket giants must end, arguing that families need meaningful action to bring food prices down.
