Auckland (The NZ Today)
The Green Party has unveiled a plan to create a new nationwide supermarket chain, saying it would increase competition in New Zealand’s grocery sector and help reduce food prices.
The proposed chain, called KiwiMart, would see 120 stores established across the country, backed by two distribution centres, under the party’s wider Affordable Kai policy package.
The Greens estimate the plan would require around $2.8 billion in investment — including $1.3 billion to acquire stores and a further $1.5 billion to establish distribution infrastructure.
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said New Zealand’s grocery market was dominated by two major players, arguing more competition was needed to put downward pressure on prices.
“Two companies control what almost everyone in this country eats,” Swarbrick said, claiming consumers were paying higher prices because of a lack of competition.
She said New Zealand produces enough food to feed millions of people, but many families were still struggling with the cost of groceries.
The KiwiMart proposal is part of the Greens’ broader plan to tackle food affordability, which also includes introducing restrictions on excessive supermarket pricing, investing in community-led food security programmes and providing food grants.
The party has also promised to permanently fund and expand the school lunch programme, saying an additional 150,000 children would receive support under its plan.
Green co-leader Marama Davidson said access to affordable and nutritious food was essential for children and families.
She criticised the Government’s changes to the school lunch programme, claiming reduced spending and changes to suppliers had affected food quality and local employment.
The Government’s school lunch changes have previously faced scrutiny over concerns about monitoring, supplier contracts and the quality of some meals.
The Greens’ supermarket proposal comes amid ongoing political debate over grocery prices, market competition and whether New Zealand’s supermarket sector needs structural reform.
The party argues KiwiMart would provide consumers with another major retail option and reduce reliance on the existing supermarket operators.
However, questions remain around how the multi-billion-dollar investment would be funded, how quickly stores could be established and how the new chain would compete in a market dominated by established nationwide networks.
Source: Green Party policy announcement, 1News.
