New one-stop shop to speed up supermarket builds

This initiative responds to concerns about inconsistencies, costs, and delays in building consents for grocery developments. By centralising the process, the Government aims to deliver a more predictable and efficient pathway for new entrants seeking to establish standalone supermarkets, particularly those outside the major regulated grocery retailers.

Grocery store developments larger than 500m2 anywhere in New Zealand are now able to choose to apply directly to Christchurch City Council (CCC) for building consent.

This service excludes:

• Developments from Foodstuffs North Island, Foodstuffs South Island, or Woolworths beyond the Christchurch region unless referred via the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024.
• Mixed-use or mall developments, fitouts or conversions of existing buildings, and substantial renovations (unless previously consented under this service) will not be eligible.

CCC has been selected following a competitive sourcing process run by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

Express lane for supermarkets

This work is being progressed alongside changes to better enable replication of approved designs through MultiProof - a streamlined process that reduces building consent timeframes by half. Eligibility for MultiProof is being expanded so designs will no longer have to be replicated at least 10 times over 2 years, and applicants will not be required to carry out the build themselves. These changes will take effect from 14 December.

The Government is also making changes to the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 to make it easier and faster for new supermarkets to be built. The Fast-track changes clarify that grocery developments that will improve national or regional competition can access fast-track approval processes. These changes are expected to be in place by the end of the year.

Together, these reforms will reduce inconsistencies and improve processes for new nationwide developments and those looking to build at scale.

Further information

Read the Government’s announcement:

New one-stop shop for supermarket builds(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz

Read more about grocery work programme:

Supermarket competition