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January 14, 2022
OPINION: Smashing Supermarket Duopoly could be a perfect example of co-governance
Martyn Bradbury
Posted On January 14, 2022
Martyn ‘Bomber’ Bradbury: In the heart of every descendent of historical grievance by those who have benefited, is the unspoken fear that those who have been wronged will one day rise up and seek righteous justice.
This psychological knee jerk reaction is on constant display in New Zealand by the Pākehā majority whenever co-governance is suggested. The guilt of historic grievance becomes overshadowed by the fear of revenge and half of the country feverishly imagine co-governance as the first step towards a Māori uprising!
The Commerce Commissions report into the Supermarket Duopoly has radically suggested the Government step in and take up 125 stores to force a third player to generate competition and bring prices down for consumers.
I think the State has an obligation to regulate markets so that capitalism serves the interests of the people rather than the corporations so I am in favour of the State stepping in to generate the competition.
Food inflation is skyrocketing and anything that helps regulate our $22 billion per year supermarket industry to bring down prices would help renters and first home mortgagees more than any other program this year.
But it could be even more than that.
There are already a number of iwi looking to invest in this duopoly busting Commerce Commission report and a 50-50 partnership between Government and iwi would embody and be an example of the co-governance model in action providing cheaper kai for customers, living wages for staff & better prices for suppliers!
Rather than fearing the unimaginable co-governance, Pākehā could see it working for the common good.
Martyn Bradbury
Editor – TheDailyBlog.nz
Radio Waatea and its board would like to advise that the opinions posted are those of Martyn ‘Bomber Bradbury’ and not the views of Radio Waatea, its Management or its Board.
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