Podcasts about grocery commissioner

It's just over four years since the Commerce Commission released its first report on the supermarket sector in New Zealand and, yesterday, the Government announced what it's going to do. Which, in my view, will achieve nothing. To be fair, Nicola Willis wasn't in Government four years ago and it was Labour that received that first report and went about hiring the Grocery Commissioner. Who, I think we can all agree, has done next-to-nothing. My supermarket bills certainly haven't got any cheaper since he's been at his desk. So the Government is going to make a change to the fast track legislation specifically targeted at making it quicker for an overseas operator to move in to New Zealand and start building supermarkets here. The law change is going to be done by Christmas and then the likes of Aldi and Lidl will be falling over themselves rushing to set-up shop here. As if. Because it's been my view all along that, if these overseas outfits wanted to be here, they would. A country the size of ours means nothing to the other big operators. No matter how much red tape the Government wants to get rid of. Bearing in mind too, that no supermarket chain is a charity. Let's take German operator Aldi - which is often touted as an international operator 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 than that - focusing on Australia, instead. But, despite Aldi operating across the Tasman, Australians are still paying through the nose. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission put-out a report earlier this year saying that Aldi is among the most profitable supermarket chains in the world. Prices in Australia have risen sharply over the past five years, with the supermarkets increasing profit margins during that time. Aldi being one of them. As for Nicola Willis claiming that Costco might want to set up a few more stores, that wouldn't make supermarket prices cheaper for people everywhere. The Minister has acknowledged that she doesn't see this as any sort of overnight fix. She says the lack of competition in the supermarket sector has developed over the past 20-or-30 years and told Newstalk ZB today that she'll know this policy has worked when we have another competitor operating in all the main urban centres. Don't hold your breath, minister. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicola Willis was back yesterday for another "guns at dawn" with the supermarkets. She had the results of the RFI, the Request for Information. The main takeaway was we are too tied up in red tape and we need to make it easier to do business. Now we know this of course, because before the RFI she told us this, and she told us she was going to do something about it. She told us she was going to do something about it again yesterday. Play another song Nicola. Then the bad news: ALDI and Lidl, a couple of large supermarket players who she had been courting, didn't even take part in the RFI. Why? Because, as I have said for about two years, we are too small and the scandal Nicola insists exists, actually doesn't. There is no scandal, they just can't be bothered with a country our size. Costco did take part though. But Costco isn't Nicola's answer. Why? Because Costco isn't going nationwide, even though Nicola said they may, may, have one or two more stores in the coming years. Then the worst bit of her greatest hits show, the finger wagging exercise, yet again, of threatening to break the industry up with regulation. She is awaiting a report. When? She doesn't have a date. Who's doing the report? The same company that did the same report for Labour. It's good work if you can get it, aye? So what did we actually end up with? A re-announcement of the fact we are hard to do business with. Fine, stop telling us and actually change the laws. The second issue is major players couldn't even be bothered taking part. And the third point, the thing that may bring real change. Do remember, I think all this is nonsense but in Nicola's mind it's a scandal. But the thing that can bring real change is no closer because we don't have the report and we don't even know when we are getting the report. Having got the report there is of course no reason to think such a major business-busting trigger by a so-called "business friendly" Government would even be pulled. So, is your trolley any cheaper? Has Nicola or her Grocery Commissioner, another game-changing pile of nonsense she referenced, actually achieved anything? Has a cent been saved? Has a law been changed? Has a new player arrived? Or is this just like the banks? No smoking gun to be found?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Competition's lacking in the supermarket sector and Kiwis are struggling to put food on the table. The Commerce Commission's Annual Grocery Report's revealed our grocery prices are the fifth-highest in the developed world. It highlights the market isn't supportive of new players, and major supermarkets continue to wield power over smaller stores. Grocery Commissioner Pierre van Heerden says extra competition is key to bringing prices down more. "That's why we're so focused on using all the tools we have available to ensure that we do get competition going in the market for the long term." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I love this idea the Commerce Commission and the Grocery Commissioner have come up with, of supermarkets giving us everyday low prices instead of the ever-changing, so-called “special prices”. The supermarket specials that really brass me off are the ones where you might see meat in one of the fridges, and they'll have a sign showing the price per kilo. That means absolutely nothing to me. Maybe there are some shoppers who know all the ins-and-outs of prices per kilo, but I'm not one of them. The other thing about specials is that, most of the time, it feels like the supermarkets are yelling “special special special” at me, but it doesn't look like much of a special. I'll be the first to say that I'm in the lucky position of not having to rely on supermarket specials. That's a financial thing, but it's also because I'm no longer at a stage of life where there are three kids at home and where it's not unusual to kiss goodbye to $400+ a week at the check-out. But I've never been one of those people who buy their bananas at one place because they're cheap and my mandarins somewhere else because their cheaper. And, when I see and hear the ads about specials, they pretty much don't register with me. And it's not just because I can afford to pay what I have to pay. And it's not just because the supermarket shops are cheaper these days because there aren't three kids living at home. It's also because I see supermarket specials in the same way I see cafes with signs outside saying “great coffee”. They can tell me what they want as much as they like, but whether I believe it or not is another thing. The other week I went into Pak 'n Save and when I hit the fruit and veg section there was a sign telling me that the 99 cent broccoli heads were an amazing special. I wasn't that convinced because they seemed pretty small to me, but I grabbed a couple anyway. But as I kept moving around the fruit and veg section, I saw another bin of broccoli heads —again with the sign saying 99 cents a head and “amazing special”— but these things were about twice the size of the smaller ones at the start of the fruit and veg section. What was that all about? And it's little examples like that —as well as the one I mentioned earlier about specials being based on price per kilo— that demonstrate how much of a rort this whole “special” thing is. So I agree with Grocery Commissioner Pierre van Heerden who is saying that doing away with specials and having everyday low prices instead would be more straightforward and transparent. He also thinks it would allow any new operators coming into the market to put real pressure on the existing supermarkets. I'm not as sold on that bit, because I don't think there are any foreign supermarket companies interested in coming here. But if he thinks that, that's fine. The only problem I've got with this idea is that it's going to be voluntary —for now, anyway— whereas I think it should be compulsory. The Commissioner says they'll give the supermarkets a year or so to get with the programme, but I want to see this happening ASAP. So does Consumer NZ. Its boss, Jon Duffy, says: “We know New Zealanders love a special. We also know there's not much that's special about supermarket specials.” He's spot on there. He says: “Everyday low prices would benefit all shoppers, so would price transparency. Right now, it's so hard to know what's a fair price because the prices of certain goods fluctuate so much.” And that's the nub of it right there. If you go to the supermarket today and see all these signs saying special here, special there, all you can do is take their word that it somehow is a special. And like the sheep most of us are, we think ‘aww, on special…I'll get a few of those”. But how do we know we are actually getting the best deal? We don't. Which is why the Grocery Commissioner and the Commerce Commission think the days of the supermarket special should be numbered. I think so too.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Grocery Commissioner says major supermarkets and large suppliers use their power to set unfair terms, hurting small suppliers and new competitors. Pierre van Heerden spoke to Corin Dann.

In today's episode, questions are being raised about why the Prime Minister's office did not know that a senior press secretary was investigated by police last year, it's a worrying time for residents from 70 homes - as the Tauranga-Taupo River is threatening to breach its bank, the Grocery Commissioner says major supermarkets and large suppliers use their power to set unfair terms, hurting small suppliers and new competitors, Auckland University has been told to pay more than $200,000 to microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles, former prime minister Dame Jacinda Ardern has put herself back in the media spotlight this week - giving a string of interviews - here and overseas to promote her new memoir, and Black Caps coach Gary Stead's successful seven years in charge of the national cricket side is over.

The Commerce Commission's making moves to level the playing field in the grocery sector. It's found the big supermarket players are shovelling in billions of dollars a year through supplier charges and promotional pricing, which largely isn't reaching consumers. It's proposed a simplified grocery code that limits the range of payments supermarkets can charge suppliers. Grocery Commissioner Pierre van Heerden told Mike Hosking it's about taking away all the carve-outs. He says smaller suppliers currently have difficulty pushing back against large supermarkets because of the power imbalance. LISTEN ABOVE See 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.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday 5th June of 2025, The Grocery Commissioner has revealed changes to crack down on the grocery sector, Grocery Policy Expert Ernie Newman shares his thoughts. Homeowners could be in for more insurance levies, Insurance Consultant Dean Lester tells Ryan Bridge why. The Government's announced an overhaul of Fish and Game, Minister for Fishing and Hunting, James Meager tells Ryan Bridge what the changes will mean. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE 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.

The Finance Minister has voiced support for more action to be taken against the grocery sector.  The Grocery Commissioner's report into the sector has found no meaningful improvement in competition, increasing margins and high profitability. Nicola Willis says most households would support a crackdown led by the Commissioner.  "I think most New Zealanders would agree that competition between the major supermarket players is important - and we want to get a good deal for consumers." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Sunday Panel, Opes Partners economist Ed McKnight and producer and commentator Irene Gardiner joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! David Seymour is vowing to push back against the Grocery Commissioner's recommendations - where do we sit on this? Are we for or against regulation? Is it necessary to create competition?  Australian model Elle Macpherson has opened up about her journey with cancer and treating it with holistic methods instead of traditional treatments. Should we be concerned with this? Do people listen to health advice from celebrities? Are we boring? New research shows Kiwis are some of the earliest diners in the world, with many restaurants slowing down service after 7:30pm after the 5pm dinner rush. Why do we think this is? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 8th September 2024: Kiwi boxing superstar Mea Motu talks about being a reluctant contestant on Celebrity Treasure Island and her long awaited title fight this October. Anika Moa admits she's back writing music and talks about the many exciting projects she has on the go including her new children's book The Witch of Maketu. Regulation Minister David Seymour pushes back on the Grocery Commissioner's call for more regulation in the grocery sector. Francesca asks the question, "Are we boring?" after an article saying we are the earliest diners in the world. And Dr Michelle Dickinson's study of the week is about a pig that underwent surgery - with the surgeon 9300km away. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Regulation Minister David Seymour agrees Kiwis are struggling with current grocery prices - but doesn't think tighter regulations are the solution. The Grocery Commissioner's recent annual report into the market highlighted a lack of competition and meaningful improvement amid soaring costs for consumers. Seymour says more rules and regulations won't help improve the situation.  "What we need is more competitors and more competition. Actually, the more rules and regulations you put on them, the less likely that is." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Regulation Minister David Seymour agrees Kiwis are struggling with current grocery prices - but doesn't think tighter regulations are the solution. The Grocery Commissioner's recent annual report into the market highlighted a lack of competition and meaningful improvement amid soaring costs for consumers. Seymour says more rules and regulations won't help improve the situation.  "What we need is more competitors and more competition. Actually, the more rules and regulations you put on them, the less likely that is." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RNZ's Deputy Political Editor Craig McCulloch digs into the first report card from the Grocery Commissioner - and considers what is to come.

Between 2019 and 2023, groceries went up in price by more than any other common household bill. High hopes were placed on new Grocery Commissioner Pierre van Heerden to boost competition, but he says the current tools are still not enough. In Focus on Politics this week, RNZ's Deputy Political Editor Craig McCulloch digs into the first report card from the Grocery Commissioner - and considers what is to come.

FIRST WITH YESTERDAY'S NEWS (highlights from Thursday on Newstalk ZB) No-one's Listening/We Don't Want Your Stupid Bins/Get a Haircut/No Sympathy for Raygun/September Is Not Halloween MonthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Commerce Commission says the big supermarket operators are still creaming it.  They're not making the changes the Commission wanted them to make. Their profits are still too high and the Commission is talking tough, saying it would like to be able to fine them up to $10 million if they keep ripping people off and ignoring what the Commission wants.  But I don't think that $10 million fines would make the least bit of difference. Because we're talking here about a sector worth $25 billion, do you really think they're going to worry about the risk of a $10 million fine?  Of course they're not. They'd just be like the garden shops that open up shop on public holidays. It's against the rules. They know they might be fined, but they run the risk, anyway because they make way more than enough to cover any potential fine and then some.    And the supermarket companies are the same. They haven't worried about the Commerce Commision up until now —which has been demanding all sorts of changes on behalf of us consumers— and they won't be any more worried about the Commerce Commission today than they were before it came out with its latest assessment of the supermarket sector.  These companies know they have it over us. What's more, can you imagine how long it would take to actually prove a case of price-gouging or whatever against these outfits?   And while that was all going on, they'd just keep hiking up the prices and “ripping us off” - as the Commission put it yesterday.  Actually, it was the Commerce Commission's grocery commissioner, Pierre van Heerden, who said that. It's him doing the tough talking. Which is about time because, until now, he's been all ‘measured tones' on it. But yesterday, he put his serious face on. And good on him.  But it's going to take a lot more than him putting on his serious face for the supermarket operators to pay any attention.  On paper anyway, it is an absolute rort that the prices we pay at the supermarket have been going up at a faster rate than increases in what the supermarkets pay their suppliers. That's the nub of what the Commerce Commission is saying.  Which makes a complete joke of the lines supermarkets like to use about “passing on the savings to you”.  As far as the Commerce Commission and the Grocery Commissioner are concerned, the supermarkets haven't been doing that at all. They've been screwing their suppliers —getting their prices down— but they certainly haven't been passing them on.  Where I'm torn in all this is that I know supermarkets are businesses. They have to make profits to survive. They're not charities.  Even though they provide some of the essentials of life, they're not charities. They exist to make money and they're doing that.  For a long time now, owning a local supermarket has been seen as a licence to make money. It's not easy. And I know with the likes of Foodstuffs, at least, you can't just walk in and take over a supermarket. Even if you've got the money to buy one, you have to do your time working in a supermarket - getting a real understanding of how they work.  Nevertheless, people have made good livings out of it. But it's only in recent years that us customers have looked up and thought, hold on a minute, when it seems that we go through the checkout and it gets more expensive every time.  So yes, a supermarket is a business which needs to be profitable. And yes, I'm torn when it comes to punishing businesses for being successful. For being profitable.  But when a business does that in an underhanded way - that's where I draw the line. And, like the Commerce Commission and the Grocery Commissioner, I think supermarkets have been underhanded, especially when you consider the fact that the prices we pay at the check-out have been going up at a faster rate than increases in what the supermarkets pay their suppliers.  That's underhanded, and good on the grocery commissioner for calling them out.  But I don't think the supermarket companies will care and I certainly don't think the threat of $10 million fines will make any difference, either. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Grocery Commissioner says the returns our big supermarkets get on assets is about double what overseas equivalents make. The Commerce Commission's first annual report into the grocery market shows competition hasn't meaningfully improved. It flags increasing margins and high profitability. Pierre van Heerden says overseas grocers make less because they have more competition. "The return on assets is about 11 percent vs 5.5-6 percent overseas." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a very big call on the supermarkets today - the Grocery Commissioner has accused them of ripping us off. Now, a lot of people will probably agree with that and think - what of it? But there's a difference between you or I feeling ripped off when you're standing in front of the olive oil looking at a price of $30 and someone like the Grocery Commissioner saying it out loud on the radio. It's a very big call - and for someone like him to do that, he's got to have the proof. And he reckons he does. It's been two years since the last Government starting cracking down on supermarkets, but instead of things getting better, they're getting worse. The margins that supermarkets are making off of us are going up, they're not paying their suppliers a hell of a lot more, but they're charging you and I a hell of a lot more. That's the opposite of what's supposed to happen. Which is to say - that crackdown didn't work. And that is no surprise to anyone with half a brain who was watching what the last Government did. The minister was David Clark - yes, the mountain-biker himself - and what he did to fix the grocery system was to set up the Grocery Commissioner, bring in a mandatory code of conduct, put in compulsory unit pricing and forced more transparent loyalty schemes. Who thought that was going to make a difference? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell you that wasn't going to change anything. We said on this very show that that ain't gonna change nothing. And here we are - it didn't work. Now I'm not pessimistic about this. Because out of all the things that David the bike rider did that might make a difference - he did set up the Grocery Commissioner. And there is nothing like personal ambition and reputation to motivate someone. And I get the feeling Pierre van Heerden might realise he needs to get this right for his own sake and his own reputation. So I suspect that what comes next might be a bit more promising. And I'm taking heart from the strong language he's used today. But as always... time will tell. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 4 September 2024, the Grocery Commissioner tells Heather Kiwis are still being ripped off at the supermarket checkout. A lawyer weighs in on the question of whether you should have to give up cash you find after a couple found $230,000 stashed away in the roof of their new house. Police want the cash forfeited because it might be linked to crime. Hollywood actor Matt Smith has weighed in on the debate of trigger warnings, saying they "dumb down" TV shows and movies. Psychologist Dougal Sutherland reckons they're actually counterproductive. Plus the Huddle debates whether AUT's new course on Taylor Swift is cool or everything that's wrong with education these days. 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.

The Commerce Minister says a third big player in our supermarket sector is unlikely to come from overseas. A first annual Commerce Commission report on the grocery market has found no meaningful improvement in competition. It wants New Zealand's two major operators - Foodstuffs and Woolworths - pressured more and for it to be made it easier for a third to enter. Minister Andrew Bayly says overseas giants like Aldi aren't interested in moving over to New Zealand. "I've been talking to one or two other players who could possibly come to New Zealand - but right now, I couldn't put my hand on my heart and say there are lots of people lining up." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Grocery Commissioner says the returns our big supermarkets get on assets is about double what overseas equivalents make. The Commerce Commission's first annual report into the grocery market shows competition hasn't meaningfully improved. It flags increasing margins and high profitability. Pierre van Heerden says overseas grocers make less because they have more competition. "The return on assets is about 11 percent vs 5.5-6 percent overseas." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Commerce Minister says a third big player in our supermarket sector is unlikely to come from overseas. A first annual Commerce Commission report on the grocery market has found no meaningful improvement in competition. It wants New Zealand's two major operators - Foodstuffs and Woolworths - pressured more and for it to be made it easier for a third to enter. Minister Andrew Bayly says overseas giants like Aldi aren't interested in moving over to New Zealand. "I've been talking to one or two other players who could possibly come to New Zealand - but right now, I couldn't put my hand on my heart and say there are lots of people lining up." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FIRST WITH YESTERDAY'S NEWS (highlights from Wednesday on Newstalk ZB) The Concept, Not the Actual Doctor/We're Still Being Ripped Off. Big Surprise/Welcome to NZ! If You Can Afford It/More Student Flat Terror/Commonwealth Games Now Nigel No-FriendsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research says the sustainability claims made on many of the seafood products sold in our supermarkets are too ambiguous and may mislead consumers. The Grocery Commissioner is in to explain his first report into competition in the supermarket sector. Elon Musk has picked a fight with Brazil, and its 22 million X users, and lost. And AUT has launched Australasia's first university level course studying... Taylor Swift.

The Grocery Commissioner will deliver the Commerce Commission's first-ever Grocery Annual Report on Wednesday, but the director of public policy group Monopoly Watch, Tex Edwards, isn't getting his hopes too high. Edwards spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Grocery Commissioner has just published his long awaited first report into the sector. Business Editor Gyles Beckford spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Big report day for big issues.  Report Number One: The ComCom and the business of banking.   The market doesn't work, more banks would help, how to get more banks? How to get less regulation, how to get better deals for the customer?  Firstly, don't hold your breath. The ComCom has looked into power and petrol and banking – not a lot changes.  Nicola Willis didn't help yesterday morning when she said in response to a perfectly legitimate question about lending practices, that a bank CEO had said they “weight farms differently from houses in terms of risk”, Willis said well they can tell that to the select committee. Which as far as I could work out means nothing, given I'm sure they will.  Then when asked about the banking lobby being powerful, she said “they may be powerful but democracy is more powerful”. Once again, it means nothing. What she was avoiding was the question ‘will you legislate', and she was avoiding that because she is not legislating.  The same way the previous government made a lot of noise about supermarkets and petrol but were never going to legislate either. Instead, what we got was a sign on the footpath showing the 98 price and a Grocery Commissioner who so far is limited to press releases.  Here is your trouble: we have a lot of banks, we just don't use them. We can switch banks, we chose not to.  Yes, the rules the Reserve Bank has in place to make banks hold money could be changed, some of the regulation could be changed, but will it materially fix the market? No.  This, as I always say, is not to defend banks. Banks are highly profitable. Their margins are higher here than Australia.  But the mistake that is made almost every time, whether its banks, supermarkets, petrol stations, or telcos, is the hype never plays out in reality.  The jawboning gets the headlines, the action fades into obscurity.  Let's talk in a year, and you can show me how fundamentally different the New Zealand banking scene is. Or not.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A ruckus is brewing over supermarket receipts. The Grocery Commissioner has put supermarkets on notice, warning them if they overcharge shoppers at the til then a customer should get the product for free. It is planning to force the major players to publicise customer complaints as an incentive to make fewer overcharging mistakes, Samatha Gee reports.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 16 August 2024, the Waitangi Tribunal says the Government's Treaty Principals Bill is discriminatory and unfair. Former Waitangi Tribunal historian Dr Sam Carpenter explains what the issue is. Consumer NZ is hitting out at supermarkets and the Grocery Commissioner after news that shoppers still regularly get overcharged at the till. Damien McKenzie has apologised to the All Blacks after missing a bus from San Diego back to LA - should he be punished? The Sports Huddle weighs in. Plus, should we be nervous about TVNZ looking to start charging you to watch on demand? 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.

THE BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Friday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) It's a Big Problem to Solve/Mark the Week/Doesn't Matter if it's Not More Expensive if People Think it Is/Whittling Your StickSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the cost of living crisis hitting hard, we assemble a panel of Kiwis doing it tough or feeling the pinch in what politicians love to call the squeezed middle. We ask how they're coping and what they're hoping for in next week's Budget. And, with rising food prices the great unifier, we check out the work of the Grocery Commissioner - the man charged with easing the challenge at the checkout.

A consumer advocate's vowing to hold the Grocery Commissioner's feet to the fire on a shakeup to the supermarket duopoly.  A new lobby group's being formed, driven by the former Consumer New Zealand Chief Executive, Sue Chetwin.  It comes after struggles with The Warehouse supply of Weetbix and the fall of potential third player, Supie.  Chetwin wants to see action happening faster, telling Tim Dower that the Commerce Commission's found we aren't being treated fairly when we shop at the supermarket.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A and David Farrar from Kiwiblog joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! The UN General Assembly has called for a ceasefire in Gaza – the US voted against amongst a tiny minority, is the public opinion really turning against Israel? Air New Zealand is laying out some new gimmicks- new snack menu, new uniforms and Starlink wi-fi on domestic flights. Shouldn't they focus on getting their planes and schedules running correctly? The Grocery Commissioner has encouraged supermarkets to lower their prices for the Christmas season. Is this a effective idea? LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Grocery Commissioner is shining a spotlight on grocery prices this festive season. Pierre van Heerden is challenging supermarkets to implement Everyday Low Pricing on staple items before Christmas. Demand typically rises at this time of year - and van Heerden says prices often do, too. He says groceries have been this year's biggest driver of cost of living pressures. "Supermarkets can actually bring a bit of Christmas cheer and provide something back to consumers." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Grocery Commissioner is shining a spotlight on grocery prices this festive season. Pierre van Heerden is challenging supermarkets to implement Everyday Low Pricing on staple items before Christmas. Demand typically rises at this time of year - and van Heerden says prices often do, too. He says groceries have been this year's biggest driver of cost of living pressures. "Supermarkets can actually bring a bit of Christmas cheer and provide something back to consumers." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introducing more competition into the grocery sector will be one of the first, and trickiest, tasks facing the new government.

He's only been in the job for a few weeks, but already the new Grocery Commissioner Pierre van Heerden is dealing with the brutal, entrenched reality of the sector that he's been charged with holding to account. It was pretty extraordinary, really. Just amazing timing that on the very same day as online retailer Supie was put into voluntary administration, van Heerden published his top priorities for the Grocery Commissioner role. I think there's one word that would probably summarise all those priorities- competition.  The focus of the Grocery Commissioner has to be fostering a properly competitive environment across the grocery sector. And an environment where he or she cannot be afraid of calling out any flicker, any scintilla of anti-competitive behaviour by the supermarket duopoly. I get it, I get that it's complex, I get that there are land covenants, wholesale supply setups- there are all sorts of contractual bits and pieces, all manner of different advantageous rules, systems and get-ups that help the main two players. It's easy to be cynical about the effectiveness of our various Government Commissioners when the Grocery Commissioner role was established. I, like many others, felt like it was a bit of cop-out. We questioned how effective that person could actually be. But here's the thing- there was a huge weight, a massive weight of public support behind the Grocery Commissioner's mission. Kiwis don't need any more Commerce Commission studies to tell us we are getting a crappy deal in aisle 3. Pierre van Heerden, rest assured in the eyes of the public, cannot be more assertive. He cannot be too aggressive or too outspoken. But there's one measure, one measure alone by which he and his role will be judged. And that measure is competition. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warehouse says the Grocery Commissioner needs to chop-chop on reform. The retailer claimed an investigation into Sanitarium briefly stopping its supply of Weet-Bix isn't happening quick enough. Sanitarium kept up supply to supermarkets. Warehouse Chief Product Officer Tania Benyon says combined with online grocery startup Supie failing - it's reason for prompt action from the Commissioner. "He should really use the powers that he has to stop that. We want a fair and level playing field, and he is the person able to do that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warehouse says the Grocery Commissioner needs to chop-chop on reform. The retailer claimed an investigation into Sanitarium briefly stopping its supply of Weet-Bix isn't happening quick enough. Sanitarium kept up supply to supermarkets. Warehouse Chief Product Officer Tania Benyon says combined with online grocery startup Supie failing - it's reason for prompt action from the Commissioner. "He should really use the powers that he has to stop that. We want a fair and level playing field, and he is the person able to do that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The failure of the online grocer Supie has renewed calls for structural intervention in the supermarket sector. Supie was set up two years ago to try and bring more competition into the market, but yesterday went into voluntary administration with debt of about 3-million dollars, after a key investor pulled out. Supie founder Sarah Balle says she is working with administrators on closing the business as efficiently as possible. Last year, the Commerce Commission published its final report into the grocery sector with one proposal, the structural separation of the wholesale food market and the forced sale of some sites - but in the end that option was not adopted. Instead, the Commission reccomended the establishment of a Grocery Commissioner and a Code of Conduct for the sector. Matthew Lane is the General Manager of the Night and Day chain of convenience stores, who says the only way real competition can happen is if it is forced upon the incumbent duopoly.

The grocery commissioner says the failure of online supermarket Supie is "disappointing" as he tries to level the playing field for new entrants to the market. The company's move into voluntary administration came on the same day that the commissioner revealed his "Top 3" fix-it list for the sector. These include stopping misleading or inaccurate pricing by retailers, curbing bad behaviour by influential suppliers, and lowering barriers to entry for newcomers. Grocery commissioner Pierre van Heerden spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Questions are being raised about why Weet-Bix is no longer being supplied to The Warehouse. The Commerce Commission's looking into Sanitarium's decision after it cited a ‘shortage' for pulling the product from the red shed's shelves. Woolworths and Foodstuffs say they haven't had any conversations with Sanitarium about the move. Grocery Commissioner Pierre van Heerden told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's unusual behaviour, and he would've expected adequate supply. “I don't see that overall suddenly by not supplying The Warehouse, there's going to be lower demand. We're still going to sell the same Weet-Bix within the country.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the reasons the Grocery Commissioner will largely amount to nothing is that they battle with ideas, as opposed to specifics.  And ideas can't be regulated.  As part of the Commerce Commission's review into supermarkets they found some of them bought land and prevented competitors opening near them. That is a 'specific' and you can change those rules, and they did.  You can also change the rules around how long it takes to pay someone like a supplier, so if they decide 120 days is too long they can make it 90 days.  But the relationships, the so-called bullying, the idea that a huge player lauds it over a smaller player can not, and will not, be fixed, anymore than having a Grocery Commissioner will drop the price of lamb.  It's the same with petrol. We did a market study on the price of petrol. Is it down or is it priced the way it has always been priced, on the price of oil and transport?  They have talked a big game on building supplies, on supermarkets and now on banks. I note S&P, one of the world's biggest ratings agencies, said that study will make little or no difference to the way banks operate, and they are right.  If you want to make it slightly political, it is one of the many reasons the Government will lose office in a few weeks. A lot of what they talked about versus what they actually did, didn't translate. They're big on theory, not so much on delivery.  In these cases their fundamental understanding, or lack of, business nouse undid them and led to the inevitably disappointing results.  There is plenty of competition in supermarkets if you shop around. You don't lack choice and never have.  If you live in a small town you have less choice than a city. If it rains the price of lettuces goes up, there are specials and end of aisle deals.  What the promise was made on was two-fold; are supermarkets big and seem rich? Yes. And do you pay too much for your groceries? Yes.  But that is emotion. They tapped into the emotion that you were getting ripped off, that you weren't getting a good deal and that they were robber barons.  Well, go check your price of lamb or your litre of petrol or your box of nails or your mortgage rate. Has anything changed because the Government said it would and did a study into it or rolled out a commissioner?  I won't hold my breath waiting for the answer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An online grocery retailer says the sector's new Code of Conduct will do little to lower food prices for consumers or to improve competition in the sector - despite assurances from the new Grocery Commissioner that it will. Gyles Beckford has the business news.

The Grocery Commissioner says suppliers being treated better will help drive down prices at the supermarket. Under new measures coming into force later this month, grocery stores could get slapped with a fine up to three million dollars for unfairly treating local suppliers. Pierre van Heerden told Heather du Plessis Allan that it'll be good for consumers too, because a healthy supplier base means better range and products, which then encourages more competition.  He says more competition between supermarkets and between suppliers will have a downward pressure on prices. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Highlight Reel James and Tyler talk doggy doos and poo flickers. They take the temperature on National's tax proposals. Medical tourists tell James and Tyler why they headed overseas for health care.  The boys ask are you emotional or logical and how does that flow in your relationship?  Plus, Scott Barrett's red card and the implementation of the new Grocery Commissioner.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The big supermarket chains will soon face fines of up to $3 million dollars, if they don't treat small suppliers fairly. The Government has released the details of its new Grocery Code of Conduct, its latest step to reform the grocery sector. Food price inflation is at its highest level in 36 years - with the main drivers a 14 percent rise in grocery prices, and more than 22 percent for fruit and vegetables prices.The Grocery code requires the two companies that run most of the supermarkets to pay their suppliers on time, have contracts in plain English, and deal with small suppliers in good faith. Breaches of the code could cost the supermarket companies up to three-million dollars, and individuals up to $200,000. Pierre van Heerden is the newly appointed Grocery Commissioner, charged with monitoring the code and keeping the supermarket chains in check.

The Grocery sector has been in the spotlight since it was reported that food prices increased 12.5 percent from last year.  This increase in food prices matched with a cost of living crisis has left many New Zealanders choosing between which of their basic needs is most important. However, the cause of the cost of living crisis has had little effect on supermarket profits, with the two biggest supermarket retailers in New Zealand recording a combined profit of 430 million dollars last year. In an unprecedented move, the Labour government has chosen to create a new commission to look at measures needed to regulate the supermarket industry in order to get fairer prices for ordinary Kiwis Nicholas spoke to newly appointed grocery commissioner Pierre Van Heerden about his experience and his ideas on what needs to change in the grocery sector.  

On 'The Week That Was' this week I'm joined by former Green Party leader and current Greenpeace Executive Director Russel Norman, and broadcaster, author, entrepreneur and kindness warrior Cassie Roma. Today we discuss:  Matariki. How the Green Party has been performing. The women's football world cup is in town. And we have a new Grocery Commissioner. Will anything change? And of course being the end of the week, I give out my rewards and awards...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Radio Hauraki's Matt Heath joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! The latest Talbot Mills corporate poll has the Labour Government down five percentage points to 31, and National up one point on 36. Is this the beginning of the end for Labour, or a one-off? The Dairy and Business Owners Group chair has spoken to Police Minister Ginny Andersen today, saying shop owners should be able to defend themselves without being charged. Should dairy owners be exempt from self-defence charges? Would it mean police turn up quicker if they know things are more likely to escalate? Is the appointment of New Zealand's first Grocery Commissioner important for the sector?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From Thursday, New Zealand will have a Grocery Commissioner. We ask Pierre van Heerden how he plans to hold supermarkets to account. The Prime Minister takes part in a Nato summit, the Eu is trying to regulate AI and the film with no publicity bar a single poster.

The country's first grocery commissioner will start work on Thursday. Pierre van Heerden will take on the role, created to improve competition between supermarkets and bring down the cost of our food. Van Heerden spoke to Corin Dann.

The Commerce Commission has appointed a new Grocery Commissioner to referee New Zealand's supermarkets. Former Sanitarium New Zealand boss Pierre van Heerden will take up the role this Thursday. Commission chair John Small says van Heerden brings more than 25 years of experience on the supply side of the grocery sector. The appointment is part of reforms brought in by the passing of the Grocery Industry Competition Bill late last month. It aims to improve fairness and efficiency in the industry, which is largely dominated by Foodstuffs and Woolworths. Pierre van Heerden joined the Mike Hosking Breakfast. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Commerce Commission has appointed a new Grocery Commissioner to referee New Zealand's supermarkets. Former Sanitarium New Zealand boss Pierre van Heerden will take up the role this Thursday. Commission chair John Small says van Heerden brings more than 25 years of experience on the supply side of the grocery sector. The appointment is part of reforms brought in by the passing of the Grocery Industry Competition Bill late last month. It aims to improve fairness and efficiency in the industry, which is largely dominated by Foodstuffs and Woolworths. Pierre van Heerden joined the Mike Hosking Breakfast. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's First Up pod: southwestern Japan takes a pounding thanks to torrential rain; we're getting a new Grocery Commissioner - how does that help us get a good deal at the check out; we ask Nicola Willis if National still wants to push on with policies that could cost NZ food producers in the EU Free trade deal and the Football Ferns played Vietnam in a very friendly friendly last night in Napier, we get deep in the analysis with Tarena Ranui. First Up - Voice of the Nathan!

Convenience store chain Night 'n Day is pledging to pass on to customers any savings it makes through wholesale grocery deals with the two big supermarket chains. The government has announced that Foodstuffs and Woolworths essentially have a year to open up wholesale supply to smaller grocery operators before they are forced to, through new rules and the powers of a Grocery Commissioner. Under new rules the major grocery retailers must consider all requests for supply in good faith and after 12 months if no substantial agreement is reached, the Grocery Commissioner can intervene and force a deal. Night 'n Day general manager Matthew Lane told Checkpoint it will make smaller operators more competitive. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6311324725112

The country's two supermarket giants have been told to loosen their grip on the grocery sector and let other retailers into the wholesale market that they currently dominate. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister David Clark warned yesterday that if that doesn't happen Foodstuffs and Countdown will be forced to sell goods at fairer prices set by the incoming Grocery Commissioner. He spoke to Susie Ferguson.

Online groceries retailer Supie doubts that the Government's move to force the country's supermarket duopoly to open to competitors will lead to lower prices. The Government has told Foodstuffs and Countdown they must loosen their grip on the grocery sector and let other retailers into the wholesale market that they currently dominate. It's also warned that if this doesn't happen, they'll be forced to sell goods at fairer prices, set by the incoming Grocery Commissioner. Supie founder Sarah Balle spoke to Susie Ferguson.

The Food and Grocery Council is backing a move to force this country's supermarket giants to allow competitors to enter the market. The Government told Foodstuffs and Countdown yesterday they must loosen their grip on the grocery sector and let other retailers into the wholesale market that they currently dominate. It also warned that if this doesn't happen, they'll be forced to sell goods at fairer prices, set by the incoming Grocery Commissioner. Food and Grocery Council chief executive Katherine Rich says it's an important step. She spoke to Susie Ferguson.

The country's two main supermarket chains Countdown and Foodstuffs could soon be forced to open their wholesale operations to smaller rivals. The government is expected to make an announcement later today. It would be the latest tranche of reforms following an investigation by the Commerce Commission into the supermarket sector. The Commission made a number of recommendations, and since then, the Government has already announced plans to introduce a code of conduct and a Grocery Commissioner who will have the ability to fine supermarkets who breach it. It has also recommended ending anti-competitive land wars between the big players. Kathryn speaks with the Food and Grocery Council CEO, Katherine Rich, and Sarah Balle, founder of Supie, an online grocery store.

A monopoly-busting entrepreneur says nothing short of the forced sell off of supermarket stores owned by the two big chains will deliver true competition and cheaper groceries. On Checkpoint on Wednesday the Consumer Affairs Minister bet his job on the government's reforms delivering a better deal for people at the checkout. He's revealed plans for Grocery Commissioner, who will be able to issue fines and also released an draft industry code of conduct for dealing with suppliers. But the Minister's waiting on whether the two big chains should be forced to divest assets. Tex Edwards took on the major telcos by launching 2Degrees. He tells Lisa Owen he believes the supermarket duopoly needs to be busted up.

The money being spent on the government's new supermarket watchdog's being questioned. Commerce and consumer affairs minister David Clark says he expects kiwis will save a lot of money as a result of the new role. Community leader and founder of Brown Butterbean Motivation, Dave Letele told Heather du Plessis-Allan this sort of bureaucracy isn't where the money needs to be going right now. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another job for an old mate has been announced by the Government.If as a child, you grew up and you were asked what do you want to be when you grow up and you said I want to be a Grocery Commissioner, the way is now clear for you to do so!Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister David Clark announced that a grocery commissioner is to be appointed during an update on progress being made to bring supermarkets in to line after recommendations were made by the Commerce Commission back in May. In David Clark's mind, the grocery commissioner will be a kind of referee, keeping the supermarket duopoly honest and blowing the whistle where it suspects there is a problem. And they're also going to ensure the Government reforms for the sector are implemented and that Kiwis are getting a fair deal at the checkout.All very well and good.Vegetables New Zealand chair John Murphy spoke to Early Edition this morning and he told Kate Hawkesby he believes change needs to come, but isn't sure a grocery commissioner is the panacea for his industry.Introducing the removal of covenants, that makes sense, the wholesale buying regime allowing other players onto the market, sure, but if any consumer thinks the appointment of a Grocery Commissioner is going to make a blind bit of difference to the price of many of the goods on the supermarket shelves, they are dreaming.Because if you listen to John, fruit and veggie growers have pressure on them with a shortage of labour, so they've got crops rotting on the ground, the rising price of fuel and fertiliser the rising cost of transport, they've got that perennial foe, the weather, which can have a huge impact.How the hell is the grocery commissioner going to control hail? They're not. A Grocery Commissioner, while it sounds all very well and good, is going to do very little to put more cash in your pocket.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We critique of The AM Show with David Clark where they spent 10 minutes in an interview about the new Grocery Commissioner where not one question was asked about the Commissioner, yet many questions were asked about how this would unfairly effect the Supermarkets Guns for teachers may be more of a reality for US teachers. we watch some horrific footage of teachers in Utah training with weapons for the upcoming school year. The latest COVID update for New Zealand where we see schools going back to online learnings as numbers grow

Another job for an old mate has been announced by the Government.If as a child, you grew up and you were asked what do you want to be when you grow up and you said I want to be a Grocery Commissioner, the way is now clear for you to do so!Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister David Clark announced that a grocery commissioner is to be appointed during an update on progress being made to bring supermarkets in to line after recommendations were made by the Commerce Commission back in May. In David Clark's mind, the grocery commissioner will be a kind of referee, keeping the supermarket duopoly honest and blowing the whistle where it suspects there is a problem. And they're also going to ensure the Government reforms for the sector are implemented and that Kiwis are getting a fair deal at the checkout.All very well and good.Vegetables New Zealand chair John Murphy spoke to Early Edition this morning and he told Kate Hawkesby he believes change needs to come, but isn't sure a grocery commissioner is the panacea for his industry.Introducing the removal of covenants, that makes sense, the wholesale buying regime allowing other players onto the market, sure, but if any consumer thinks the appointment of a Grocery Commissioner is going to make a blind bit of difference to the price of many of the goods on the supermarket shelves, they are dreaming.Because if you listen to John, fruit and veggie growers have pressure on them with a shortage of labour, so they've got crops rotting on the ground, the rising price of fuel and fertiliser the rising cost of transport, they've got that perennial foe, the weather, which can have a huge impact.How the hell is the grocery commissioner going to control hail? They're not. A Grocery Commissioner, while it sounds all very well and good, is going to do very little to put more cash in your pocket.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Get ready for the new Grocery Commissioner. The new 'referee' the government's announced is designed to keep the supermarket industry in check. With powers to issue warnings and dish out fines, the government says the Grocery Commissioner will ensure customers are getting a 'fair deal'. Rosie Gordon reports.

Consumer Affairs Minister David Clark has announced the new role of Grocery Commissioner to hold New Zealand's supermarket duopoly to account. He discusses the details with Lisa Owen.  

Consumer New Zealand is backing the Government's plan to appoint a Grocery Commissioner. Its chief executive, Jon Duffy, said it showed supermarkets they couldn't keep making super profits at the expense of struggling consumers. But, he also warned it will depend what powers the regulator gets.  He spoke to Morning Report.

Consumers shouldn't expect to see savings at the checkout any time soon.Consultation is underway on a draft code between major grocery retailers and their suppliers - the Government will also appoint a Grocery Commissioner later this year.Founder of online grocery retailer Supie, Sarah Balle, told Mike Hosking the code of conduct won't make a big difference for a while.“It's not going to move the dial in terms of lowering prices at the checkout for consumers any time soon.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Part Two of The Panel, Wallace and panellists Sue Kedgely and Liam Hehir talk to Consumer NZ about the announcement of a Grocery Commissioner, and hear from the Coalition For More Homes about getting more townhouses built. Finally, they chat to a man who has been biking for 40 years and never owned a car.

A new commissioner is being set up for supermarkets.The Government is setting it up to keep an eye on the sector to hold it to account and ramp up competition.It would be based within the Commerce Commission and review competition in the sector annually.Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister David Clark joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jacinda Ardern has welcomed Australia's decision to make flood assistance available to Kiwis caught up in the New South Wales floods.She said it was significant and bodes well for her upcoming meeting with Anthony Albanese, while also saying it was "pretty much the opposite" to what Scott Morrison would've done.Ardern is still resisting the idea of moving back to Red.It comes as New Zealand surpasses 10,000 for the first time since April.Ayesha Verrall has also played it down.A new supermarket watchdog has been set up.Commerce and Consumer Affairs Commissioner David Clark says the new Grocery Commissioner will hold the sector to account and ramp up competition.Newstalk ZB Deputy Political Editor Jason Walls joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A supermarket watchdog looks set to stir up competition in the sector.Consultation is underway on a draft code between major grocery retailers and their suppliers - the Government will also appoint a Grocery Commissioner later this year.An earlier Commerce Commission report found a supermarket duopoly was driving up prices at the till.Vegetables New Zealand Chair John Murphy told Kate Hawkesby it will all come down to how the code of conduct is applied.He says it could end up having a negative effect on producers.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Consumers shouldn't expect to see savings at the checkout any time soon.Consultation is underway on a draft code between major grocery retailers and their suppliers - the Government will also appoint a Grocery Commissioner later this year.Founder of online grocery retailer Supie, Sarah Balle, told Mike Hosking the code of conduct won't make a big difference for a while.“It's not going to move the dial in terms of lowering prices at the checkout for consumers any time soon.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Didn't you always know that this Government, in clamping down on something, would involve a working group, a watchdog, a commissioner or a report?Turns out they've gone with a mix of all four. ‘Grocery Commissioner' is the official title of the watchdog being set up. Supermarkets must be quaking in their boots. Not.It will take a while to establish – first they need to set up legislation round it, then there'll be a mandatory code of conduct drawn up, so by the time the legislation goes through the House and the a commissioner actually gets appointed it'll be mid 2023.That's if they work to time, which they won't, so that'll be delayed. And in terms of when we the consumer will actually see the results of all this watchdogging?Who knows?They're only just at the ‘discussion paper' phase. And when it finally comes down to the grocery commissioner appointment part – how many people flank up this new department with the fancy new title?  Have you ever encountered a government more bogged down in layers of bureaucracy and paperwork and codes of conduct than this one?Here's the small print we need to be really wary of though. While appearing to wield a big stick, will all this bureaucracy just mean higher prices at our end? It was reported that MBIE admitted there was a risk that the code could “limit the ability of the major grocery retailers to negotiate fairly and firmly with suppliers”.MBIE also said that “this could contribute to higher costs for the major grocery retailers, which would make it harder for them to provide consumers with the range of products at competitive prices.”So there is a risk of compliance costs getting passed onto us at the checkout.Comparing it to the UK model, it's reported that based on their numbers, the “cost to the Government of implementing the regulatory functions associated with a code of conduct could be roughly $1.5 million per year. Compliance costs for retailers and suppliers are estimated to be around $750,000 to $800,000 per annum. That includes costs associated with disputes, complaints and queries from the regulator.” And while the Government's pointing the finger directly at fat cat supermarket retailers, the opposition says the Government's missing the point. Act's deputy leader said that ‘the reason Kiwis pay too much for food was ”rampant domestic inflation fuelled by Government spending". She said that.. "the Government needs to admit that it's the inflation it caused, that's hurting Kiwis.” Act also says it's nigh on impossible to enter the grocery market with all the regulatory barriers here, it's just too hard for many players. So how much competition will we really get? And how much teeth will this new watchdog really have? Will the benefits of having it offset the cost and time spent setting it up and administering it? And in all this bureaucracy and paperwork, will we the consumer in the end actually be any better off?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr David Clark joins us to talk about the new Grocery Commissioner, how it will work, what it will do, if it will make a tangible difference to customers and suppliers and why on earth they didn't call it the Grocery Czar!!! As more information comes out about the Highland Park shooting, conservatives in the US are tying themselves up in knots...again...to blame anything but guns for the shooting. I mean the shooter climbed a ladder, so maybe doors are now not the enemy...ladders are? There are new COVID recommendations from the MOH for everyone to wear masks. We want to know if these are their recommendations, how many people need to catch COVID before the Government will mandate masks to be worn in schools and public again?

Didn't you always know that this Government, in clamping down on something, would involve a working group, a watchdog, a commissioner or a report?Turns out they've gone with a mix of all four. ‘Grocery Commissioner' is the official title of the watchdog being set up. Supermarkets must be quaking in their boots. Not.It will take a while to establish – first they need to set up legislation round it, then there'll be a mandatory code of conduct drawn up, so by the time the legislation goes through the House and the a commissioner actually gets appointed it'll be mid 2023.That's if they work to time, which they won't, so that'll be delayed. And in terms of when we the consumer will actually see the results of all this watchdogging?Who knows?They're only just at the ‘discussion paper' phase. And when it finally comes down to the grocery commissioner appointment part – how many people flank up this new department with the fancy new title?  Have you ever encountered a government more bogged down in layers of bureaucracy and paperwork and codes of conduct than this one?Here's the small print we need to be really wary of though. While appearing to wield a big stick, will all this bureaucracy just mean higher prices at our end? It was reported that MBIE admitted there was a risk that the code could “limit the ability of the major grocery retailers to negotiate fairly and firmly with suppliers”.MBIE also said that “this could contribute to higher costs for the major grocery retailers, which would make it harder for them to provide consumers with the range of products at competitive prices.”So there is a risk of compliance costs getting passed onto us at the checkout.Comparing it to the UK model, it's reported that based on their numbers, the “cost to the Government of implementing the regulatory functions associated with a code of conduct could be roughly $1.5 million per year. Compliance costs for retailers and suppliers are estimated to be around $750,000 to $800,000 per annum. That includes costs associated with disputes, complaints and queries from the regulator.” And while the Government's pointing the finger directly at fat cat supermarket retailers, the opposition says the Government's missing the point. Act's deputy leader said that ‘the reason Kiwis pay too much for food was ”rampant domestic inflation fuelled by Government spending". She said that.. "the Government needs to admit that it's the inflation it caused, that's hurting Kiwis.” Act also says it's nigh on impossible to enter the grocery market with all the regulatory barriers here, it's just too hard for many players. So how much competition will we really get? And how much teeth will this new watchdog really have? Will the benefits of having it offset the cost and time spent setting it up and administering it? And in all this bureaucracy and paperwork, will we the consumer in the end actually be any better off?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A supermarket watchdog looks set to stir up competition in the sector.Consultation is underway on a draft code between major grocery retailers and their suppliers - the Government will also appoint a Grocery Commissioner later this year.An earlier Commerce Commission report found a supermarket duopoly was driving up prices at the till.Vegetables New Zealand Chair John Murphy told Kate Hawkesby it will all come down to how the code of conduct is applied.He says it could end up having a negative effect on producers.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.