Podcasts about Foodstuffs

Send us your feedback In this episode, privacy experts Richard Wells and Suzy McMillan take a close look at the use of facial recognition technology (FRT) in New Zealand. They evaluate a recent report from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) on Foodstuffs North Island's (Foodstuffs) FRT trial, highlighting key insights for organisations considering the future use of this technology.[02:30] Suzy explains what FRT is and how it works by mapping and comparing facial features to create a biometric template for either verification (one-to-one matching) or identification (one-to-many matching), and how it's applied in different contexts.[04:00] Richard and Suzy discuss the privacy concerns associated with FRT, including mass surveillance, profiling, bias and accuracy, and cultural considerations under tikanga Māori. Suzy also highlights the OPC's guidance that biometric information should be considered as sensitive personal information requiring a high standard of care.[06:21] They consider the privacy safeguards implemented by Foodstuffs during their FRT trial to mitigate these risks including immediate deletion of unmatched facial data, strict watchlist criteria, exclusion of vulnerable individuals, decentralised systems, and human oversight to verify matches.[09:33] Richard notes that Foodstuffs' justification under IPP1 of the Privacy Act for using FRT was to reduce serious retail crime. Suzy then explains that the technology's demonstrated effectiveness in relation to this, was a key factor in the OPC's finding that the trial complied with the Privacy Act 2020, further supported by Foodstuffs' strong emphasis on transparency and public engagement throughout its rollout.[12:21] Suzy emphasises the OPC's clear message and key finding, that the Foodstuffs trial report does not constitute a blanket approval for the use of FRT. They then discuss the OPC's recommended considerations for organisations contemplating FRT deployment, noting the overall importance of robust privacy governance processes.[17:54] Suzy then discusses the impact of the new Biometric Processing Privacy Code (the Code), which comes into force on 3 November. The Code will supplement the Privacy Act by introducing specific obligations for the use of biometric technologies such as FRT, signalling a more regulated future. She also refers listeners to our earlier podcast on the proposed Code.  Information in this episode is accurate as at the date of recording, 10 October 2025. Please contact Richard Wells, Suzy McMillan or our Data protection team if you need legal advice and guidance on any of the topics discussed in the episode.Please get in touch to receive an episode transcript and don't forget to rate, review or follow MinterEllisonRuddWatts wherever you get your podcasts. You can also email us directly at techsuite@minterellison.co.nz and sign up to receive technology updates via your inbox here.  Additional resources:For show notes and additional resources visit minterellison.co.nz/podcasts

On today's REX Daily Podcast, Dom talks with Chris Irons, Federated Farmers Waitomo Chair, about the effects of heavy rain in the district this week, why he thinks there should be more incentives for farmers to produce quality red meat and his role as Chair of the Mid-North Island OSPRI Committee... He talks with Foodstuffs North Island Chief Executive Chris Quin about running a co-operative of more than 400 owner/operators, how its pricing model works for farmers and growers and what factors come into play when pricing goods for consumers... And he talks with REX Producer Jo Grigg about the Alliance Group shareholder vote on Monday, the pros and cons and whether she thinks the vote will go. Tune in daily for the latest and greatest REX rural content on your favourite streaming platform, visit rexonline.co.nz and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more.

Reusable containers will be free if returned but will cost $3 if not returned within 4 weeks.Foodstuffs sustainable packaging manager Debra Goulding spoke to Corin Dann.

A New World worker's taken to social media to complain about an incoming water bottle ban. A Reddit user made a post stating their store's banning staff from having their bottles at checkout, with management telling them they can drink during breaks. Rudd Hughes from the Workers First Union says this isn't the first time they've seen this, and might stem from customer service concerns. "But actually, if you've got hydrated people who are comfortable and happy, they're going to give much better customer service than people who are dying for a drink." A Foodstuffs spokesperson says policies vary between stores, but they expect store teams to be reasonable. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A New World worker's taken to social media to complain about an incoming water bottle ban. A Reddit user made a post stating their store's banning staff from having their bottles at checkout, with management telling them they can drink during breaks. Rudd Hughes from the Workers First Union says this isn't the first time they've seen this, and might stem from customer service concerns. "But actually, if you've got hydrated people who are comfortable and happy, they're going to give much better customer service than people who are dying for a drink." A Foodstuffs spokesperson says policies vary between stores, but they expect store teams to be reasonable. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Big box wholesale supermarket chain Costco has its eyes on expansion, and a new "express lane" for supermarket developments will help that happen, according to the Minister for Economic growth. Nicola Willis today unveiled policy changes that the government believes will help boost competition in the grocery market that's curently dominated by two chains; Woolworths and Foodstuffs. Minister for Economic Growth, Nicola Willis spoke to Lisa Owen.

All good so far from Nicola Willis on supermarkets. She's got to the nub of the problem, which is basically red tape. Governments of all stripes, including her, have been quick to point the finger at private enterprise for high prices. And there's truth in that, but most haven't looked in the mirror like Willis did yesterday and admit it's them that also has a problem. We all do, really. Everybody moans about prices but then moans about construction of anything new - not in my backyard. Consultation up the wazoo, committees, petitions, Duncan Webb on a soapbox - that's democracy. Like Churchill said, the lesser of two evils. It's taken them two years to get here, but they could have just listened to our interview with the former Managing Director of Costco back in March - he told us all this then. The other big problems were real estate prices and shipping - getting goods here on their timeframes. I predicted this (humble brag) all last week. They'll tinker round with fast-track and consumer laws and plaster their pressers with the threat of breaking up the duopoly. Divestment. Forcing Pak'nSave to sell some stores to a new entrant, forcing Foodstuffs to sell some distribution centres. What I said last week is still true now, ACT won't go for it. Plus, the even the Commerce Commission said it's risky as. Cost could outweigh benefits. So, Willis should stop with the threats. If you own a supermarket right now and your livelihood is being threatened, are you going to invest? Hire staff? Plan expansions? The threat is purely political and could end up doing the opposite of what Willis wants it to. Put it in the bin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new use for “ugly” fruit, with two Kiwi dads turning a hobby into a business. Fruit Cru makes use of seconds, the ugly fruit from local orchards that doesn't make it to export, turning it into organic wine. Since starting in 2021, they now produce about 10,000 bottles each year, and have signed a deal with Foodstuffs to stock their beverages in five supermarkets in the Wellington region. Co-founder Cosmo Hawke told Mike Hosking there's a shortage of fruit for traditional wine, but at the same time things like cherries, apples, and feijoas were going unpicked. He says as far as they can tell, they're the only ones making a beverage in this way, and it could only be done in New Zealand. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Electricity and groceries are your two big ticket inflation targets. Punters want to pay less for both. There are nuclear options available: Cut the gentailers in half by force. Those pro-wrecking ball argue if you force them to separate out the generation side of the business from the retail, you'd create more competition and lower prices. You could do a similar thing with the supermarkets. One idea is to force Foodstuffs and Woolworths to sell 120 supermarkets and a third of their six distribution centres to a third player. Hey presto. The duopoly's dead. Long live Queen Nicola. Now we're still waiting to see what cat Willis will pull out of her shopping bag on this. She has advice and considering the options. Here's what I think she'll do: We can get clues from the way they're handling electricity, which is basically minor changes to bits and pieces around the edges on stuff like the super peak hedging contracts, and if things don't change, look out - we'll regulate. We'll be meaner and tougher. There's still the Frontier report of course, which Cabinet will decide on by next month. In the mean time, you tinker and threaten. Sound tough enough that voters know you're serious, but not actually go DEFCON 1 and risk spooking markets in which you're actually trying to attract investment, particularly offshore. Plus, Chris Quinn told my show the other day they'd lawyer up to high heaven and fight anything like that. Messy. So on supermarkets I reckon they'll tinker. Options on the cards? Put supermarkets on the fast-track list, ban pocket pricing, and empower existing franchises to be more independent - buying their stock from wherever they like, setting their own prices, etc. Slap a threat to legislate for the nuclear option across the headline of your press release if the tinkering doesn't happen or isn't working. Throw the ball back in the duopoly's court. This would simultaneously satisfy ACT (who hate the nuclear options) and the politics of perception. It goes further than Labour went, but doesn't risk the court battles and potential for major changes not actually working to bring prices down. Which is the whole point. One thing's certain, whether it's electricity bills or checkout prices, the chances of a return to the good ol' days of pre-Covid prices when we could butter the toast and fire up the heated towel rail with gay abandon are slim to none. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest Stats NZ figures says food prices in our 15 main cities have increased five-percent in the past year -- with grocery prices rising much faster than restaurant and takeaway prices. But Foodstuffs says prices in its stores have only increased 3.4 percent. Foodstuffs North Island Managing Director Chris Quin told Mike Hosking that much of that rise is being driven by beef, lamb and butter. Quinn says consumers can get good value with frozen chickens, leg roasts and many winter vegetables. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following the food inflation figures from Friday, Foodstuffs has challenged StatsNZ's numbers. On Friday, StatsNZ reported a 5.0% rise in the year to July. But Foodstuffs is reporting a 3.4% year on year increase – arguing they have a clearer measure of grocery prices. Sue Chetwin from Grocery Action Group told Ryan Bridge that StatsNZ is including restaurants and takeaways in their reporting, which is throwing off their final stats. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foodstuffs North Island says it's working hard to re-employ staff from an Auckland New World that caught fire in June. CEO Chris Quin says of 183 people, 121 are working at other stores, 12 have found roles elsewhere, and 10 are taking a break. He told Kerre Woodham that leaves about 40 staff they still need to place. Quinn says they're trying to match employees to about 50 positions in Auckland stores. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 6 August 2025, Transport Minister Chris Bishop explains why he's replacing fuel taxes with road user charges for everyone - and how long it's going to take to actually happen. Unemployment has risen to 5.2% - the highest rate since 2020. So how much worse is it going to get? The Grocery Commissioner Pierre Van Heerden tells Heather supermarket competition is still a big problem looking for a big answer. Foodstuffs boss Chris Quin explains why New World is yet again running out on its most sought after promotional product. Plus, the Huddle on the surprising number of shots that police fired last year. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New World shoppers have been left disappointed by the supermarket's latest giveaway, as key items have been running out weeks into the promotion. The braiser is both the most sought after - and most expensive - item up for grabs, but many customers have reported a shortage of stock. Foodstuffs North Island CEO Chris Quin says 70,000 of these braisers were ordered, but the company didn't expect this level of demand. "Guessing what mix of the five or six items we have in this promotion would be desired and where they would sit - we get international advice, we get local advice, we give it our best shot." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New World is denying allegations it's passing over workers who lost their jobs after a fire destroyed a flagship store in supermarket. 189 people employed at the Victoria Park supermarket get their last pay cheque on Monday. Foodstuffs said it was optimistic about finding jobs for the workers at a new store in Point Chevalier but Workers First Union said that of the 80 positions on offer at the new store only half are being filled with staff from Victoria Park. It's also raised concerns about older and disabled workers missing out on positions. Organiser with Workers First Union, Jas Giri spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Commerce Commission is taking Foodstuffs North Island and its subsidiary Gilmours Wholesale to court, citing what it labels 'cartel conduct'. The regulator has alleged that the retailers pressured a supplier into an agreement to redirect supply through them. Competition lawyer Andy Matthews says it's all allegations at this stage, but New Zealand has very 'broad' cartel laws. "What it means is - pretty much any agreement with an actual or potential competitor probably has a cartel provision. And it's up to the party who's entered into the alleged cartel provision to demonstrate an exception that the Commerce Act applies." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Commerce Commission is taking Foodstuffs North Island and its subsidiary Gilmours Wholesale to court, citing what it labels 'cartel conduct'. The regulator has alleged that the retailers pressured a supplier into an agreement to redirect supply through them. Competition lawyer Andy Matthews says it's all allegations at this stage, but New Zealand has very 'broad' cartel laws. "What it means is - pretty much any agreement with an actual or potential competitor probably has a cartel provision. And it's up to the party who's entered into the alleged cartel provision to demonstrate an exception that the Commerce Act applies." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Sunday Panel, Coast Day host Lorna Riley and managing director at 818, Chris Henry, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Foodstuffs North Island is looking at disestablishing roles at Victoria Park New World, after it was gutted by a blaze last month. The workers have expressed disappointment - what do we make of this? New research has revealed there's no safe amount of processed meat to eat. Will this change our eating habits? Do we follow this research? Would we get in a driverless taxi? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's issued a fresh warning to the major supermarket chains. Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis has written a letter to Woolworths, and Foodstuffs' North Island and South Island arms, outlining her expectations. She says she's hearing of supermarkets charging more than the advertised price, and having specials and multi-buy deals that don't actually offer savings. Willis told Mike Hosking that's not good enough. She says supermarkets have publicly said again and again that they do everything they can to be good providers of service, but this doesn't look like that. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

On the Matt Heath and Tyler Adams Afternoons Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 17 June 2025, Foodstuffs is celebrating their new Rolleston Pak 'n Save supermarket coming in under budget and early - but why does construction cost so much? Then stories of buying a dunger house and doing it up. A discussion that went slightly sideways to Spaceship houses! Then shocking renditions of National Anthems at sports events - what the worst example? And - it is Bowel Cancer Awareness month and BCNZ CEO Peter Huskinson popped in for a chat. Get the Matt Heath and Tyler Adams Afternoons Podcast every weekday afternoon on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.