Supermarket fast-track pathway opening

The Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill has passed its third reading, clarifying that grocery developments that improve competition are eligible for fast-track approvals.

Grocery developers will be able to apply directly to the Minister for Infrastructure for referral to a centralised fast-track expert panel for efficient consent decisions. This includes supermarket developers, and developers of grocery distribution businesses or wholesale infrastructure.

A Government Policy Statement on Grocery Competition will be published shortly describing how a grocery project could meet the Government’s objectives to improve grocery competition. The Government Policy Statement outlines what fast-track decision makers must consider when evaluating eligibility for grocery developments. It notes that the Government’s focus is on supporting:

• projects of scale that lessen market concentration
• businesses that can compete with broad product range offerings
• innovative business models and new formats that currently are underrepresented
• multi-region or multi-site developments
• one-off developments that help directly or indirectly with strengthening competition against the well-established retailers.

Express lane for supermarkets

The changes are being made as part of a package of reforms to make it easier for new competitor supermarkets to be built in Aotearoa New Zealand.

In March 2025, the Government sought feedback from the grocery sector and potential new entrants on possible barriers limiting supermarket development. Responses revealed resource and building consenting issues are a significant frustration for businesses wanting to enter or expand in the grocery market.

In response to industry feedback, the Government has taken 3 key actions to create an express lane for new supermarkets:

• Amending the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 to clarify grocery developers’ eligibility for the fast-track approvals process.
• Selecting Christchurch City Council to manage building consents for eligible supermarket developments nationwide.
• Removing restrictions to use MultiProof for faster building consent of standardised designs. MultiProof changes will take effect from 14 December.

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

Further information

Read the Government’s announcement.

Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill passes third reading(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz

Read more about the grocery work programme.

Supermarket competition