Podcast: How local planning rules block retail competition
Dr Eric Crampton
27 February, 2025
In this episode, Eric talks to Marko Garlick about how New Zealand's local government planning and zoning regulations create anti-competitive conditions in the retail sector, particularly for supermarkets.
They explore specific examples of bizarre regulatory barriers to market entry and discuss potential solutions to enable more competition, such as national policy statements and amendments to the Commerce Act.
Related links:
- https://yesinourbackyards.substack.com/p/supermarket-yimbyism
- https://worksinprogress.co/issue/upzoning-new-zealand/
- https://newsroom.co.nz/2022/03/08/eric-crampton-legalising-groceries
- https://newsroom.co.nz/2023/01/30/grocery-competition-bill-decreases-competition-not-the-reverse/
- https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/opinion/why-its-hard-to-open-a-supermarket-in-nz
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