Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles.
One app.

Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles. One news app.

EXPLAINED: The commerce commission | Rare Historical Photos

Price check: how a public grocery chain would disrupt NZ’s supermarket duopoly

It’s roughly a month since the government announced new supermarkets would qualify for fast-track approval in an effort to inject real competition into the sector. Too soon to see progress, perhaps, but not too soon to question the likely success of that approach.

The Conversation

The Foodstuffs merger is dead – but that still won’t fix NZ’s over-concentrated supermarket sector

Two of the dominant players in New Zealand’s supermarket sector – Foodstuffs North Island and Foodstuffs South Island – have failed in their quest to officially join forces.

The Conversation

Supermarket concentration benefits stores, not shoppers. It’s time to split Foodstuffs – not make it stronger

The proposed merger of Foodstuffs North Island and Foodstuffs South Island raises the prospect of even less choice for New Zealanders in what is an already heavily concentrated market. But will regulators prevent it from happening?

The Conversation

From analysis to the latest developments in health,
read the most diverse news in one place.

New Zealand Inquiry On Airport Fees Awaits Watchdog Review

Commerce Commission's review of airport fees impacts Air New Zealand and aviation sector in New Zealand.

Top News

Power gentailers' dominance helps consign 300,000 people to energy hardship – report

Independent panel chair says the Commerce Commission should investigate a lack of competition, driving up electricity prices and leaving children sick and unable to attend school. Jonathan Milne reports.

Newsroom.co.nz

NZ Post buying major parcel competitor

A complaint has already been fired off to ComCom against the purchase of PBT, reports Andrew Bevin

Newsroom.co.nz

Supie's last days: The cashflow crisis behind the smiles

The signs were there. Sarah Balle pulled a marketing campaign, paused an online partnership with The Warehouse and made desperate pleas to investors. Jonathan Milne reports.

Newsroom.co.nz

Read news from The Economist, FT, and more,
with one subscription

On water reform National and Act are sailing on same course

National has committed to repeal Labour’s Three Waters legislation in its first 100 days, but legislation for a replacement regime will be needed quickly, writes Dr Eric Crampton

Newsroom.co.nz

Small fry threatened by rise of sprawling mega fishing firm

Two major deals could dramatically change the industry landscape in New Zealand, reports Andrew Bevin

Newsroom.co.nz

Gloriavale community takes big banks to the Commerce Commission

A controversial and reclusive West Coast Christian community is seeking to overturn the tables of the money lenders. Jonathan Milne reports.

Newsroom.co.nz

Borrowers left in 'mortgage prison' as firms quit personal lending market

A Commerce Commission inquiry has been warned that Kiwi borrowers will be unable to shift to more competitive lenders because of tough new credit rules. Jonathan Milne reports.

Newsroom.co.nz

Treasury pre-election outlook to show economy under increasing pressure

Rising fuel prices raise temperatures at No 1 The Terrace, and raise eyebrows further up the road at the Commerce Commission. Andrew Patterson reports.

Newsroom.co.nz

Transpower to dig bus-sized holes across east Auckland after cable failure

The failure of part of one of Auckland’s main electricity links will require years of intense works to repair

Newsroom.co.nz

Big banks' smalltown challengers find hope in profits inquiry

Expressing concern at the high profits pulled in by the Australian-owned banks, the Commerce Commission is surveying 2000 consumers about the impediments to them switching to local providers. Jonathan Milne reports.

Newsroom.co.nz

Get all your
news in one place.

100's of premium titles.
One news app.

Newsroom.co.nz

Corporates and councils cut card surcharges – under duress

The Commerce Commission has persuaded phone company 2degrees to cut its credit card surcharge, but its competitor One NZ is refusing to budge. Jonathan Milne reports.

Newsroom.co.nz

High-end grocery chain questioned, but 'not the subject of investigation'

It's hard to say whether there was sufficient evidence to warrant the Commerce Commission investigating specific claims of retailer pressure, says Food and Grocery Council boss Raewyn Bleakley.

Newsroom.co.nz

Three grocery suppliers cautioned for price-fixing, forcing online store's closure

The Commerce Commission has formally warned three groceries suppliers for demanding a small online store charge more than supermarkets. Its next step is fines of up to $10m. Jonathan Milne reports.

Newsroom.co.nz

Commerce Commission should probe 'stubbornly' high remittance costs

Global currency tech company Wise is calling on the Commerce Commission to investigate what banks charge for overseas remittances when it conducts its market study into the retail banking sector.

Get all your
news in one place.

100's of premium titles.
One news app.

Newsroom.co.nz

Shoppers warned against paying more than 3% card surcharges

Eftpos provider hopes to launch contactless debit payments in next two years, freeing consumers from shackles of big credit card companies

Newsroom.co.nz

Law change empowers a new consumer advocacy agency for water

The new Water Services Consumers Agency would protect vulnerable consumers, rather than exposing them to independent user groups' 'specific agendas'. Andrew Bevin reports.

Newsroom.co.nz

Govt orders inquiry into anti-competitive land covenants

First petrol stations, then supermarkets, then building supplies merchants. Now the Commerce Minister has asked for a wide-reaching inquiry into the use of land covenants to block competition, and cites meat processing plants as a place to start.

Newsroom.co.nz

Bunnings agrees to remove 999 year legal constraint on use of residential land

The Australian-owned building supplies chain is defending the 16 land covenants it has retained, as protecting the value of its property and marketing investments. Jonathan Milne reports.

Newsroom.co.nz

A storm in a lolly jar? The pineapple chew controversy

A Levin chocolate maker is in hot water over potentially misrepresenting its products. Why?

Newsroom.co.nz

Warring building supplies firms tie up critical NZ land with 999-year covenants

Big building supply companies have fended off competition by wrapping desirable blocks of land in legal constraints on generations of NZers, alarming the Commerce Commission into issuing a far-reaching warning. Jonathan Milne reports.

The Conversation

Rising bank profits highlight tensions between competition watchdogs and central banks

With soaring mortgage rates expected to strain household budgets, there are calls – including from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand – for the Commerce Commission to investigate bank profits.

1 2

People

From analysis to the latest developments in health,
read the most diverse news in one place.

Organisations

International Monetary Fund

Read news from The Economist, FT, and more,
with one subscription

Topics

Places

Fourteen days free

Download the app

One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.