Podcasts about Foodstuffs

A supermarket boss says the first look inside a popular shopping spot ravaged by fire in central Auckland was a confronting scene. 24 hours after a massive blaze broke out New World Victoria Park forcing shoppers to abandon their trolleys and vehicles, the building was given back to Foodstuffs today. Staff and shoppers were emotional seeing their workplace and beloved local supermarket in ruins. Jessica Hopkins reports. 

Five firefighter crews remained overnight to keep watch on the central Auckland supermarket which was engulfed by a fire for much of Tuesday. Foodstuffs North Island chief executive Chris Quin spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

It's being suggested the pricey cost of our food baskets is great for the economy but bad for our wallets. Food inflation has risen 4.4% annually, the highest in 18 months. Meat, poultry and fish had the biggest increases, while butter, milk and cheese drove grocery prices. Foodstuffs North Island CEO Chris Quin told Mike Hosking increases in foods like Kiwifruit and butter is fantastic for New Zealand's economy, but tough for households. Quin says they're doing everything they can, but they can't contain the same costs of energy and people. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foodstuffs is hoping to bring retail crime down after a successful trial of live facial recognition technology. The Privacy Commissioner has deemed Foodstuffs North Island's trial compliant with the Privacy Act, and effective in reducing harm. But his report states there's more work to do. General Counsel for Foodstuffs North Island, Julian Benefield, says retail crime has put staff at risk - and the company's hoping to change that. "Our trial has been a success, it found that technology was effective in reducing harm. Our independent evaluator found a 16 percent reduction in serious harm incidents across the trial period - and over 100 serious incidents avoided." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, former Labour Minister Stuart Nash and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Government wants state owned enterprises to pick up its game - or else? Chris Luxon has ruled out asset sales this term, but do we think they're on the horizon? The Privacy Commissioner has given the thumbs up to Foodstuffs' facial recognition software. Would we mind if this technology was rolled out nation-wide? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Commerce Commission is ramping up efforts to disrupt the supermarket monopoly. It says supplier charges and promotional pricing are reinforcing the dominance of Foodstuffs and Woolworths. It's proposing a simplified grocery code, reducing the range of payments that supermarkets can charge suppliers. Grocery expert Ernie Newman told Ryan Bridge that supermarkets are receiving billions of dollars in discounts - which largely aren't being passed on to consumers. He says there's more money floating around in the sector than the Commerce Commission had previously identified. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foodstuffs is hoping to bring retail crime down after a successful trial of live facial recognition technology. The Privacy Commissioner has deemed Foodstuffs North Island's trial compliant with the Privacy Act, and effective in reducing harm. But his report states there's more work to do. General Counsel for Foodstuffs North Island, Julian Benefield, says retail crime has put staff at risk - and the company's hoping to change that. "Our trial has been a success, it found that technology was effective in reducing harm. Our independent evaluator found a 16 percent reduction in serious harm incidents across the trial period - and over 100 serious incidents avoided." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Commerce Commission reckons we need fewer items 'on sale' at the supermarket. That would mean less yoghurt on special at $4.99, fewer $1.99 chocolate bars at the checkout, and just less price yo-yo-ing in general. This is counterintuitive. The job of Commerce Commission, through the Grocery Commissioner, is meant to score us cheaper prices and boost competition, right? So, what the hell is going on here? This morning, they announced they want to change the rules around what the supermarkets can charge suppliers. Foodstuffs and Woolworths purchase $15 billion of goods from suppliers each year and control 82% of the retail market. When they do this, suppliers will discount prices by about $5 billion a year through rebates, discounts, and promotional payments. This ensures their stock is on sale. If they need to move a boat load of it, they can do on special and quickly, because we all love a bargain. The Supermarket tsar says if you're a new, smaller supermarket chain opening up, you can't compete with that cause you don't have the buying power and economies of scale. Now this is where I think the tsar takes one of many leaps of faith. They reckon we consumers are overall worse off because of these specials and discounts. The tsar says: "Consumers lose out because prices jump around more. This can mean the average price is more expensive and it's harder for consumers to assess the value of products.” They don't offer any evidence this is actually happening, and that a change would make things cheaper. Leap of faith #2 is that this saving will be passed on to the consumer via the supermarket. Is there not a floor in this logic? Does essentially banning discounts actually make prices cheaper? If so, by how much? $5 billion? Remember the industry's revenue is $25 billion a year. If all of the discounts were handed down the chain of command to us shoppers, we're expected to believe general prices would fall a whopping 20%? Remember when the Grocery Commission was set up under Labour, we were told the supermarkets were making excess profits of $365m a year. There's a bunch of other changes, too. Some of this stuff is just proposed. Suggestions. Voluntary. Some stuff needs consultation. Then further review. Others need 12 months. Others form part of a new report aiming for 2026. By the time this is finished I will have not only lost the will to shop, but also to live.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I am really torn. Because when it comes to facial recognition technology, I've always been of the view that if you're not doing anything wrong, there's nothing to worry about. But, at the risk of sounding like I'm going a bit “civil liberties” on it, I'm starting to change my tune a bit. Which I'll admit is a bit weird considering the Privacy Commissioner has announced that he's all good with the facial recognition trial that Foodstuffs supermarkets have been doing in the North Island. But what's making me feel uneasy is the potential for this tick of approval from the Privacy Commissioner to be seen as a licence for anyone and everyone to use facial recognition however they want. Because there's an outfit in Christchurch —which isn't a supermarket— using facial recognition technology right now. Which shows why the Privacy Commissioner is also saying that, as well as the Foodstuffs trial being all good, we need to tread carefully with how this technology is used. He's not saying it outright, but I think we're on a slippery slope if we don't make sure there are better legal safeguards in place to make sure businesses and organisations —and individuals too possibly— don't start using facial recognition however and wherever they want. So that we don't look up in two years' time and realise that we've got a runaway train on our hands. Which is why I don't think Michael Webster giving his tick of approval for what Foodstuffs North Island has been doing —saying that it complies with the Privacy Act— is the be-all and end-all. I know you would think that it might reassure me that I've been on the right track thinking that only people breaking the law need to be worried about facial recognition technology. But I'm not so sure. Because it's not just supermarkets in the North Island giving facial recognition a go. The Richmond Club, in Christchurch, is also using it. I've seen a photo of a poster on the wall at the Richmond Club telling users of its pokie machines that it's trialling facial recognition software to help it keep an eye on problem gamblers. The sign says: “The Richmond Club is currently trialling facial recognition software - however, this is only in the gaming room.” The poster says: “Such footage is used in conjunction with our CCTV surveillance cameras and other publicly-available sources of imagery to assist in identifying individuals for a variety of reasons.” And it goes on to say that it's all about identifying problem gamblers and that all footage is destroyed when someone who has been playing the machines leaves the room. The person who sent me this photo said they spoke to half of the people in the gaming room at the time and none of them were aware that facial recognition was being used, despite the sign on the wall. And they didn't like the sound of it. Which I can understand. Because using pokie machines isn't illegal. Even though I can't stand pokie machines, they're not illegal. Just like having a gambling problem isn't illegal. Stealing stuff from a supermarket is illegal, but going and playing the pokies on a Saturday afternoon isn't. Yes, the Richmond Club is legally obliged to look out for problem gamblers, but does it need facial recognition to do that? There's no doubt it's probably very useful, but I reckon the club could easily look out for people without facial recognition. And I would, generally, say that using facial recognition to track people doing anything that isn't illegal, is not what it should be used for. I heard the Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster saying this morning that people are, generally, happy for it to be used to try and stop crime. But at the same time, people are concerned about it being misused. He referred to a survey his office did which found that two thirds of people are happy to see increased use of facial recognition if it reduces theft and enhances personal safety. But it also found that 49% of people are concerned or very concerned about facial recognition technology being mis-used. These survey findings also said that 64% of people are concerned about not being told about or agreeing to the use of facial recognition technology. So the Richmond Club in Christchurch is ticking the box on that front, with the poster on the wall telling people that it's trialling facial recognition in the gaming room. But I think we're in real danger of this technology being used in ways that most of us would consider to be over the top. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An inquiry from the privacy commission into Foodstuffs' facial recognition trial says it needs improvements before it's used more broadly or permanently. Lawyer for Foodstuffs North Island Julian Benefield spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Foodstuffs North Island's facial recognition trial might have the tick of approval overall, but there's still work to do. The Privacy Commission's ruled the trial was compliant with the Privacy Act and was successful in reducing harmful behaviour. But Commissioner Michael Webster told Mike Hosking they're recommending Foodstuffs keep systems updated and review impacts of skin tone on identification accuracy. Webster says there are still concerns over technical bias issues due to the software coming from overseas. It's also made recommendations for other interested businesses. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new plan is being touted as a way to fast track shaking up the grocery sector. The New Zealand Initiative is proposing allowing new entrants to enter the market, rather than forcing any break-up of the existing supermarket companies. It outlines the need for fast track plans for rezoning, consenting, overseas investment clearance, and a more neutral stance from the government. Chief Economist Eric Crampton told Mike Hosking a new entrant should get a head start. He says within five years the government would find out whether planning barriers are what's held companies back. Foodstuffs and Woolworths are both members of the New Zealand Initiative. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Soaring food prices might be hard to swallow. Stats NZ figures reveal prices rose 3.7% annually last month, with increases across all food categories. Butter prices increased 65.3%, milk and cheese went up 15.1% and 24% respectively. Foodstuffs North Island CEO Chris Quin told Mike Hosking there's pressure on products we're getting export success from. He says it's a fantastic part of the story, but the impact on consumer is clear. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new report from Retail NZ has revealed the state of retail crime in New Zealand - 99% of the membership of Retail NZ has experienced some form of crime or antisocial behaviour in 2023/24, that's up from 93% the year prior. I remember thinking that's a lot, National want to be working on that because they were very strong in opposition and in the election campaign saying they were going to get tough on retail crime – it seems to have got worse. It ranges from credit card fraud, shoplifting, threatening behaviour, criminal damage, or physical assault. Retail NZ's membership recorded 140,746 incidents of retail crime over that period. What I find really interesting from the report is that almost 40% of those retail crimes were not reported to police. There were a range of reasons why respondents didn't report to police. Apparently it was because of low value items not being worth the effort, the retailer discovered the offence too late, or they dealt with it directly. There were also concerns that what was the point? What was the point of telling the police? Nothing's going to happen. I would love to know from retailers at what point do you give up caring? 40% of retail crimes are not reported to police. That's a hell of a lot. When do you reach the stage of simply shrugging your shoulders and saying, what are you going to do about it? Have you become so inured to retail crime, to abusive language, to people just putting something in their pocket or putting something in their bag and walking out, you're like, well another day? I remember Chris Quinn from Foodstuffs when we were talking about people walking out with trolleys full of groceries. And I said, well, why don't you put in the measures that people have told me about overseas, where you scan your receipt and then the gates open, and your trolley and you, can walk out. If you don't have a receipt, the gates don't open – make it jolly hard to walk out with a trolley full of groceries. He said, I just don't think the public could put up with that. Yeah, we would, wouldn't we? I thought that was a really defeatist attitude. He said, you know, the majority shouldn't be punished for the minor, obviously, but I mean that is the way society works. We have rules and legislation to cater to the numpties and the low lifes and the stupid and the criminal. I personally don't mind putting my receipt to a scanner and having the gates open if it means that some arrogant arse is prevented from walking out with a trolley full of groceries and sticking two fingers to us all. I really don't mind. It would be minimal in terms of hassle, in terms of hold up. The same would be true of many retail security measures. It makes more sense to have security measures in shops and supermarkets than it does at the airport. Me taking my boots off does not help us find the Malaysian Airlines plane that crashed. It makes more sense to me to be held up slightly at the supermarket, ever so slightly if it means that people aren't getting away with it. They seem to take great delight in it, and that's what annoys me. We've got to have a zero tolerance policy to this sort of retail crime. And that means you and I have to be part of the solution. It's not just retailers, it's not just police that are going to make a difference. It's when you and I are willing to accept a little bit of inconvenience to tell the toerags and the freeloaders and the criminals that up with this we will no longer put. Draw a line in the sand and for once let the good guys prevail. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pak'nSave shoppers seem to be getting the best deal. A recent study by Foodstuffs North Island has found that New Zealand stores offer the lowest grocery prices when compared to leading retailers in Australia and the UK. The study compared 20 everyday necessities, and after adjusting for sales tax and exchange rates, Pak'nSave came out on top – cheaper than Woolworths NZ, Woolworths Australia, Tesco UK, and Aldi Australia. Foodstuff North Island CEO Chris Quin told Kerre Woodham that when they look at that data, there's a really competitive, innovative story being told. He says they don't have price match guarantees because there's just too many products to cover. Quin says supermarkets may hold up to 18 thousand different products so it would be too tricky to match them all. He told Woodham they have more holistic aims. Quin says for Pak N Save stores it's about getting the cheapest basket possible, and with New World it's about providing a good shopping experience. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A convenience store chain looking to bust up the big supermarket duopoly has a shopping list of what's needed to achieve that. The Woolworths and Foodstuffs chains dominate New Zealand's supermarket sector. A 2022 Commerce Commission report found they're making more than a million dollars in excess profits every day. Night ‘n Day chain general manager Matthew Lane spoke to Lisa Owen.

I reckon Nicola Willis is bluffing - she's having a laugh. She's not really going to take a sledge hammer to the supermarkets. She has threatened to do this, she's had consultants come and do some work on it, but she's not serious about doing it. There's two main reasons as to why not. One: Splitting up the brands like Pak N Save and New World form each other is a drastic action to take. It could affect hundreds of mum and dad-owned stores who run their own local supermarkets and form part of co-ops around the country. Then there's the problem of prices - the fact that co-ops like Foodstuffs exist means they can spread their costs around the country and make prices more even between the regions. What happens to the price of Pams biscuits at Pak N Save Kawerau if it's split from its brother and sister stores? Does it come down or go up? If it goes up, so does Nicola's credibility. Splitting retail land from wholesale also risks creating a middleman to go between the two, thus pushing prices up anyway. These are all arguments for why not. There are also arguments for these, but at this stage they're not specific, they're just - prices are too high, so we'd better do something. All that's before you even get political support for such a move - which wouldn't involve ACT - so it would need help from across the aisle. I think, in the end, the risks will be too great and the benefits not clear enough for Nicola to smash the supermarkets to smithereens. I also think she knows this and she's hoping the threat is enough to yield some results - and that it will go down well with the public, who are sick of paying through the nose for groceries every week at the checkout LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Sunday, Finance Minister, Nicola Willis, announced plans to combat the supermarket duopoly between Foodstuffs and Woolworths. This could include breaking-up or restructuring the current chains, with Cabinet also announcing a formal request for information, or RFI, into the matter. For our weekly catch up, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel,  spoke to Te Pāti Māori's Takutai Kemp about this announcement, and whether she, and the party, thinks this will be enough to address food accessibility in Aotearoa. We also discussed the comments made by Green MP, Tamatha Paul, about the police, and whether she believes these comments have become sensationalised. Finally, we discussed the party's calls for mandatory police body cameras. But first, they started off by asking Kemp about how the party are feeling about Nicola Willis' most recent announcements into the supermarket duopoly.

As briefly touched on earlier, changes to how the supermarket duopoly in the country have been put forward by Finance Minister, Nicola Willis. Currently there are only two major supermarket chains in the country: Woolworths and Foodstuffs, with this move aiming to establish alternative options to how these companies operate. News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the Chief Executive of Consumer NZ, Jon Duffy, about these developments, and how the organisation are feeling about them. They started off by asking him how much of a concern the current duopoly is.

The Government has said all options are on the table as Finance Minister Nicola Willis issues a six-week request for information. Willis threatened to break up the current supermarket players, floating the idea of restructuring the two existing supermarket chains. Foodstuffs North Island Chief Executive Chris Quinn talks to Mike Hosking about the announcement. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A grocery sector expert says he's pleasantly surprised by Nicola Willis's plans for the sector. The Economic Growth Minister has confirmed she's seeking advice on potentially breaking up the supermarket duopoly. That could include separating the retail and wholesale arms of Foodstuffs and Woolworths. Ernie Newman says told Andrew Dickens he was sceptical before the announcement but is impressed by what he's heard. He says Nicola Willis has come across as a "minister on a mission" and she's done her homework.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where's the grocery commissioner? Wasn't he going to get cheaper groceries for all of us? That was the idea. But he hasn't. So is Nicola Willis going to do it? My prediction, is she won't. Because, no matter how much we would all like to pay less at the supermarket, the two ideas she announced yesterday are duds. And I'm picking that, if you did a grocery shop yesterday afternoon, the Government's announcement-of-an-announcement yesterday morning did nothing to soften the blow when you went through the checkout. So the Government wants to see a foreign operator coming here. Which is never going to happen. For the simple reason that foreign operators have bigger fish to fry elsewhere. German supermarket company Aldi is often touted as a potential foreign outfit that could come here and create more competition. It's kind-of here already, because it's been registered with the New Zealand Companies Office since 2000. But it hasn't bothered doing anything more - focusing on Australia, instead. But, despite Aldi operating across the Tasman, Australians are still paying through the nose. Just over a week ago, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission put-out a report saying that Coles, Woolworths and Aldi are among the most profitable supermarket chains in the world. Prices there have risen sharply over the past five years. With the supermarkets increasing profit margins during that time, as well. Sound familiar? And just like here, politicians in Australia are all promising to do something about it. But, like here, it will be all talk and won't amount to anything. And, in five years time, shoppers on both sides of the Tasman will still be paying through the nose and politicians will be floating go-nowhere ideas. But if you forced me to pick one of the ideas Nicola Willis announced yesterday that I think could actually work, it would be this threat she made yesterday to force the two big companies to sell some of their supermarket brands, to create more competition and reduce their dominance. If you forced me to choose one, I'd chose that one. But it's a terrible idea. David Seymour doesn't like it, either. Saying that, if the Government poked its nose in this way into Foodstuffs and Woolworths operations, it would put businesses off investing in New Zealand. Which I agree with. I think it could. And it's a weird thing for the Government to be proposing just two weeks after it had all the money people over here from around the world trying to get them to invest in New Zealand. Looking at the rules the Commerce Commission uses to decide whether to allow things like mergers to go ahead, they're all about preventing situations like we have with supermarkets in New Zealand. Not enough competition - all that stuff. Which is fine when you're deciding whether-or-not to allow a merger. But for the Government to try and do that retrospectively, which is what it would effectively be doing, would be a terrible thing. It would be a terrible thing for the supermarket companies. It would also be a terrible thing for the Government's sale pitch to the world. That New Zealand is open for business; that we want businesses to come here; and that we're getting rid of some of the red tape to make it easier come here. It would say 'we're doing all that but, if you do come here, we might tell you what to do with your business if we think there are a few votes in it for us'. But the ideas Nicola Willis announced yesterday won't win votes. Because they won't go anywhere.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As briefly touched on earlier, changes to how the supermarket duopoly in the country have been put forward by Finance Minister, Nicola Willis. Currently there are only two major supermarket chains in the country: Woolworths and Foodstuffs, with this move aiming to establish alternative options to how these companies operate. News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the Chief Executive of Consumer NZ, Jon Duffy, about these developments, and how the organisation are feeling about them. They started off by asking him how much of a concern the current duopoly is.

This week, it's an episode 251 extravaganza as David and Matt sit down to review The Sixth Doctor's best story (apparently) 'Revelation Of The Daleks'.Doctor Who theme by Ron Grainer, arranged by Alexander Erben.Talk to us! Email: timenorspacepod@gmail.comTwitter: @timenorspacepod 

There continues to be mixed reaction and confusion over a notification involving the use of Cannabis in South Africa which was published in the Government Gazette and signed by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi. Minister Motsoaledi announced a prohibition on the sale, importation and manufacture of foodstuffs containing any part of the cannabis plant or component derived from its hemp, hemp seed oil or hemp seed flour. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Danmari Duguid, an independent business consultant and former attorney who specialises in emerging markets such as Cannabis

There are positive signs of inflationary pressures easing in supermarkets. Latest data from Infometrics and Foodstuffs shows suppliers charged supermarkets 1.8% more last month than the same month last year. That's the lowest increase in more than three years. Infometrics Chief Executive Brad Olsen says many fruit and vegetables have been getting cheaper, while dairy prices are driving costs increases. He says chocolate, coffee, and noodles are also seeing jumps. Olsen told Mike Hosking that it's not perfect, but it's in a much better position. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's confident it can bring an end to New Zealand's grocery duopoly. It's laying out plans to challenge the incumbents, Foodstuffs and Woolworths, and remove regulations discouraging competition. It wants to pave the way for a new player to enter the supermarket sector. Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking there has been competition in the past. She says the country let the supermarkets merge together and turn into two mega entities. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police can search the retail surveillance network that recorded a shopping incident involving former Green MP Golriz Ghahraman, even when no complaint has been made. Ghahraman was stopped and questioned by store security at Royal Oak's Pak'nSave in the weeks before her High Court case in early October. Foodstuffs says it did not complain to police. Surveillance network Auror is used by retailers - including Foodstuffs - and confirms police can access the information those clients record. CEO Phil Thompson says the system lets all the parties work closely together. "Retailers are capturing information on crimes and attempted crimes that happen in their stores and making that visible to their own head office - and also to police." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the Best of the Wire today, Oto and Sasha reflected on their favourite interviews over the past year as the bFM news team heads into the holiday period. In April this year, Oto did an on the ground interview with Students for Fair Rent Chairman - Matthew Lee and Green Party Co-Leader - Chloe Swarbrick at a protest held by Students for Fair Rent calling for a rent strike and end to the cost of living crisis at the University of Auckland's halls of residence. A month later, Oto spoke to organisers and attendees at another protest held by Students for Justice in Palestine - Auckland, around the time that Palestinian solidarity encampments were being held at universities across the globe. In July, Oto spoke with Professor Emmy Rākete from the Department of Social Sciences at the University of Auckland to discuss the findings of the Abuse in Care Inquiry and how abuse in state and faith-based institutions lead to a prison pipeline that disproportionately affected Māori. And, in his funniest and most light-hearted Interview, Oto spoke to comedian and professor in the department of chemical sciences at the University of Auckland - Dr Joel Rindelaub, to discuss the impacts of microplastics on the human brain and body. In October, Sasha had a chat with Doctor Alex Beattie - a lecturer in Media and Communication at Victoria University of Wellington, to discuss why New Zealanders are becoming more distrustful of the media and why the younger generation is becoming more apathetic. And, in September, Sasha talked to Associate Professor Laszlo Sajtos at the University of Auckland Business School about the trial usage of facial recognition technology by Foodstuffs in their North Island outlets.

A six-month facial recognition trial at 25 Foodstuffs North Island stores reduced harm by 16% across the board. The initiative prevented more than 100 serious in-store incidents, including assault. General counsel for Foodstuffs North Island Julian Benefield speaks with Heather du Plessis-Allan about this as well as the ‘onion trick' being used at checkouts. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foodstuffs North Island says its trial of facial recognition technology has resulted in a 16 percent reduction in serious harm in its supermarkets. Foodstuffs North Island's General Counsel Julian Benefield spoke to Corin Dann.

Consumer NZ boss Jon Duffy joins Kathryn to highlight his organisation's concerns over the recently completed FRT trial in Foodstuffs stores.

A Taupo-based company is working to reduce New Zealand's reliance on imported packaging Following the single-use-plastic ban in 2019 two childhood friends looked into who was manufacturing paper locally and discovered that much of the paper produced here was exported to Asia, converted into paper bags, and then sent back to New Zealand The friends then set up 'Gratpak' and began manufacturing bags here. They now supply 25 to 30 million bags a year to Foodstuffs. 'Gratpak General Manager Stephen Folcarelli talks to Jesse.

I think at times the Commerce Commission has an easy job in the sense it starts out life, in appearance anyway, as being on “our side. "Our” side being the people's side. We need a hero, a protector to keep the big bad boys away from our lives and wallets. Lately though, they look like they might have a large legal budget that someone has told them to spend or else they will lose it. So out come the lawyers to take on Starlink over their claims about being able to text anywhere in the country. This case looks literal. You can't say you can text from anywhere if I can literally find a place where you can't. The room for adult interpretation appears to be devoid of presence in this case. Then we get to Foodstuffs, who are to appeal a ruling by the Commerce Commission on its merger. The interesting bit about Foodstuffs is that they unfortunately are a supermarket, and supermarkets are hated because they sell stuff at prices we have decided are too high. They are in the same category as banks, telcos, petrol stations, and airlines, who are all out there to rip us off, bleed us dry, and generally make life miserable. Foodstuffs have two bits in the North Island and the South Island. They want to join the two bits together. From a business perspective it makes perfect sense because you are playing with scale and scale is generally good. But scale also reduces numbers in the market, and it may well reduce competition. Where we appear a bit stuck in this country is that very fine and, quite probably, indefinable line between letting people get on with business, creating an environment in which business prospers, more businesses wanting to open, and killing business by over regulating it, driven in part by fear over lack of competition and the punter being ripped off. What will be interesting is whether Foodstuffs can argue their case on fact, or on what clearly is an overarching zeitgeist. The banks appeared in front of the Government committee into banking. They made a very plausible and reasonable case around their profits. It will make no difference though because the Government doesn't want to hear it. Maybe Foodstuffs are the same. What is a decent price? What is a decent margin? What is the choice for a punter who sees a can of beans at a higher price in one place, so goes elsewhere? Is a court even required if the zeitgeist around business and its success is predetermined, whether sensibly, logically, or not? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A competition lawyer says it'll be very unlikely Foodstuff's appeal will succeed. The Commerce Commission declined its merger of its North and South Island arms- saying it would lessen grocery competition and hurt suppliers. Foodstuffs North Islands chief executive, Chris Quin, says the change would actually make it easier for suppliers. Lawyer Neil Anderson says it's unlikely a case like this will go to court, with even less chance of winning. "The commercial parties, by the time they've been through a clearance process and then are faced with an appeal process - they'll push it out a further six months, it's quite unusual for a deal to survive that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Partner Geoff Petersen explores the new role for governments in the energy transition, taking the lead on targets and infrastructure and making sure consumers aren't left behind. But what's left for market mechanisms and national regulation? Plus the recalibrated merger reform bill hits Parliament with something for everyone in the notification thresholds; more supermarket scrutiny here and around the world; greenwashing in fashion and finance; big penalties for those Qantas ghost flights and a speeding ticket for Honda under the right-to-repair scheme. All this and plenty of disfluencies with co-hosts Moya Dodd and Matt Rubinstein.   Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder, "Together in Electric Dreams"  Breakin'/Breakdance 2: Electric Boogaloo trailer  G+T on the new merger reform bill and updated notification thresholds   The ACCC's Grocery Inquiry 2008 and Supermarkets Inquiry 2024: was/now  The Prime Minister on shrinkflation  NZ Commerce Commission declines to clear the Foodstuffs merger  The Warehouse, where everyone gets a bargain  G+T's regular wrap-up on consumer law enforcement, Shop Talk  G+T on ASIC's hat-trick in greenwashing cases  The CMA's tailored guidance on greenwashing for fashion brands  ACCC v Qantas and inflight meals at home  The Motor Vehicle Information Scheme and Honda and Panasonic in the first Fast and Furious heist  Make your own podcast with Google's NotebookLM  Meet the Gilbert + Tobin Competition, Consumer + Market Regulation team  Email us at edge@gtlaw.com.au   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foodstuffs is pushing back on claims our groceries cost more than the rest of the world. Year-on-year inflation for comparable products has remained flat on 0 percent, according to the co-op. Blame is being put on GST for pushing up prices – Australia, for example gets, meat, fish, produce, milk and more GST-free. Foodstuffs New Zealand managing director Chris Quin joined Mike Hosking. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suppliers to supermarkets appear to be charging more, more often. Which comes with a warning it could be the new norm. Foodstuffs has commissioned a report by Infometrics tracking the prices of 60,000 products — which has found they appear to keep gradually rising by 2.3 percent a year. Infometrics CEO and principal economist Brad Olsen joined Mike Hosking. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wire host Caeden spoke to University of Sydney's Lisa Asher on the declined Foodstuffs merger and what it means for grocery prices and the supermarket duopoly.

The Grocery Action Group says a Commerce Commission decision to block the Foodstuffs merger is good news, but it won't help Kiwis struggling at the checkout. Grocery Action Group Chairperson Sue Chetwin spoke to Corin Dann.

THE BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Wednesday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) How Long Will Wellington Put Up With This?/Foodstuffs Merger Was Never Going to Happen/VP Vibes/Unfounded Parking Concerns/Just Another Neanderthal CometSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foodstuffs has argued a merger blocked by the Commerce Commission would benefit consumers and suppliers. The competition watchdog has decided merging the chain's North and South Island co-ops would substantially lessen competition. Foodstuffs North Island CEO Chris Quin says they're likely to appeal the decision - based on the evidence they have at this point. He says the move would only have changed the support each retailer received. "Which is out of sight of customers and a part of retail competition - to bring it together in a more efficient way so that we can keep delivering value and innovation for New Zealanders. That's the disappointing thing about today's outcome." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foodstuffs says using facial recognition in 25 New World and PAK'nSAVE stores has cut crime. Foodstuffs North Island General Counsel Julian Benefield spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

On today's episode, the boss of New Zealand's biggest bank wants a Capital Gains Tax, and Labour says it's looking at its tax policy and is considering capital gains, wealth, or capital income taxes, Foodstuffs says using facial recognition in 25 New World and PAK'nSAVE stores has cut crime, more than 556 people have been reported killed in Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon, a survey by employment website Seek says that only 62 percent of New Zealanders consider themselves happy at work, and a taxidermy showdown kicks off on Wednesday in Taupo.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 25th of September, Police Commissioner Andrew Coster is done and moving on in November, six months early. So how did he find his time in the job?  What have the results been from Foodstuffs facial recognition trial and will it be brought out all around the country?    And on Politics Wednesday, things get a bit tetchy between Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen when it comes to Coster and how much is achieved in the first year of a new Government.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Western society is limiting our brain function (Part 2) with Dr. Rachel Taylor Black Spy Podcast, Season 16, Episode 0010   In this week's Black Spy podcast Carlton continues his discussion with Dr Rachel Taylor as to the effects on our brains of the way we live our lives today. Does the fear of speaking out against the prevailing views, held by government, employers and society at large, whatever they may be, have an effect on our brains and our psyche? Are we limiting our brain power? Can such processes of self vetting even make us unwell? We explore all such issues and aspects with DR Rachel, a specialist in this area and other so domains. Consequently, this episode, and episode two, should answer any lingering questions that you might have concerning your brain and body well-being as it relates to the effect that of modern Western living could have on your mental and indeed physical health. As always, please don't be afraid to contact us and put any questions you might have to any of the Black Spy Podcast team concerning this or any other of our fascinating subjects. And, if you want to continue learning whilst being entertained, please don't forget to subscribe to the Black Spy Podcast for free, so you'll never miss another episode. To contact Firgas Esack of the DAPS Agency go to Linked In To contact Carlton King by utilising any of the following: To donate - Patreon.com/TheBlackSpyPodcast Email: carltonking2003@gmail.com Facebook: The Black Spy Podcast Facebook: Carlton King Author Twitter@Carlton_King Instagram@carltonkingauthor To read Carlton's Autobiography: “Black Ops – The incredible true story of a (Black) British secret agent” Click the link below: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/BO1MTV2GDF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_WNZ5MT89T9C14CB53651

How Western society is limiting our brain function with Dr Rachel Taylor (Part 1) Black Spy Podcast, Season 16, Episode 0009   In this week's Black Spy podcast Carlton asks Dr Rachel Taylor what the effects are on our brains of the way we live our lives today. Does the fear of speaking out against the prevailing views, held by government, employers and society at large, whatever they may be, have an effect on our brains and our psyche? Are we limiting our brain power? Can such processes of self vetting even make us unwell? We explore all such issues and aspects with DR Rachel, a specialist in this area and other so domains. Consequently, this episode, and episode two, should answer any lingering questions that you might have concerning your brain and body well-being as it relates to the effect that of modern Western living could have on your mental and indeed physical health. As always, please don't be afraid to contact us and put any questions you might have to any of the Black Spy Podcast team concerning this or any other of our fascinating subjects. And, if you want to continue learning whilst being entertained, please don't forget to subscribe to the Black Spy Podcast for free, so you'll never miss another episode. To contact Firgas Esack of the DAPS Agency go to Linked In To contact Carlton King by utilising any of the following: To donate - Patreon.com/TheBlackSpyPodcast Email: carltonking2003@gmail.com Facebook: The Black Spy Podcast Facebook: Carlton King Author Twitter@Carlton_King Instagram@carltonkingauthor   To read Carlton's Autobiography: “Black Ops – The incredible true story of a (Black) British secret agent” Click the link below: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/BO1MTV2GDF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_WNZ5MT89T9C14CB53651

The grocery commissioner Pierre van Heerden is waving a red flag about the state of competition across the country's big supermarkets. The Commission's first report since last year's reforms said competition hasn't improved, with the two major chains - Foodstuffs and Woolworths - still making big bucks at the expense of suppliers and consumers. Those consumers agree with the commissioner: it's not good enough, reporter Lauren Crimp got their reaction.

Advocacy organisation the Grocery Action Group is calling Foodstuffs' latest actions "a serious breach of customer trust". Grocery Action Group chair Suzanne Chetwin spoke to Corin Dann.

We're returning to the theme of renaming, for two food-related renamings: the first one that mostly happened, the second that mostly did not - but in a good way. Dr Erin Pritchard persuaded a British supermarket to rebrand a type of sweets that had a slur in their name. And Chris Strikes recounts the renaming conflict that was the Toronto Patty Wars of 1985. Content note: the first part of the episode concerns an ableist slur, so there are incidences of that slur, and discussion of ableism and later anti-Black racism. Find out more about this episode and the topics therein and read the transcript at theallusionist.org/gemsandpatties. This episode was produced by me, Helen Zaltzman. Martin Austwick of Neutrino Watch and Song By Song podcasts provides the Allusionist music. Become a member of the Allusioverse at theallusionist.org/donate and as well as keeping this independent podcast going, you get regular livestreams and watchalong parties - AND to hang out with your fellow Allusionauts in our delightful Discord community. You can also sign up for free to receive occasional email reminders about Allusionist stuff. The Allusionist's online home is theallusionist.org. Stay in touch via facebook.com/allusionistshow, instagram.com/allusionistshow, youtube.com/allusionistshow and twitter.com/allusionistshow. Our ad partner is Multitude. If you want me to talk lovingly and winningly about your product or thing on the show in 2024, sponsor an episode: contact Multitude at multitude.productions/ads. This episode is sponsored by: • Catan, the endlessly reconfigurable social board game. Shop at catanshop.com/allusionist and get 10% off the original base game CATAN by using the promo code ALLUSIONIST at checkout. • Ravensburger, who make the world's largest Disney jigsaw puzzle - 40,320 pieces! As well as many other sizes of puzzles. Buy Ravensburger puzzles in your preferred puzzle emporium.• Bombas, whose mission is to make the comfiest clothes ever, and match every item sold with an equal item donated. Go to bombas.com/allusionist to get 20% off your first purchase. • Squarespace, your one-stop shop for building and running your online empire. Go to squarespace.com/allusionist for a free 2-week trial, and get 10 percent off your first purchase of a website or domain with the code allusionist. Support the show: http://patreon.com/allusionistSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.