New Zealand Minister Seeks 3rd Major Player to Shake-Up Grocery Sector

Two large chains—one Australian-owned—dominate the sector, but Nicola Willis is hoping to bolster competition and maybe encourage new entrants.

Groceries being packed at New Lynn New World supermarket in Auckland, New Zealand, on July 1, 2019. Fiona Goodall/Getty Images

New Zealand’s Minister of Economic Growth Nicola Willis is prepared to roll out the welcome mat for a third major supermarket retailer to shake up the country’s grocery sector.

During her speech at the University of Waikato’s Economics Forum, Willis released an 80-point economic growth plan focused on education, competition, and innovation.