Christchurch City Council has been selected as a one-stop consenting authority for large-scale supermarket developments in New Zealand.

The new service represents the NZ government’s latest step in making the country a more attractive destination for new supermarkets.

According to Finance Minister Nicola Willis, a one-stop shop means new supermarket developers looking to build in multiple locations only have to deal with one authority.

Previously, they had to go through up to 66 different processes at 66 different councils, which was a major disincentive.

“The purpose of the new service is to encourage competition in a sector which is dominated by the Foodstuffs and Woolworths chains. Between them, they effectively control 82 per cent of the market,” said Willis.

“More supermarkets equals more competition equals lower prices,” she continued. “Kiwi shoppers deserve choice at the checkout.”

The new service covers new standalone buildings (minimum 500sqm) for grocery businesses that are not Regulated Grocery Retailers (RGRs), namely Foodstuffs North Island, Foodstuffs South Island, and Woolworths NZ. 

The service also covers any supermarket developments that have been referred via the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024.

Willis said the government chose Christchurch because the city is a leader in commercial builds, and that its council has well-established working relationships with other counterparts, ensuring smoother processes.