Eric Rush Advocates for Locally Owned Supermarkets Amid Competition Debate

AUCKLAND — Former All Black and current Foodstuffs North Island owner-operator Eric Rush has entered the political arena regarding supermarket competition, cautioning that proposed structural changes could inadvertently harm locally owned businesses. As reported by Waatea News on Monday, 21 September 2026, Rush is questioning a National Party proposal to break up the Foodstuffs co-operative, which oversees the PAK’nSAVE, New World, and Four Square brands. The proposal suggests separating PAK’nSAVE from the other brands pending a Commerce Commission assessment. However, Rush argues this move targets the wrong area, noting that Foodstuffs is a New Zealand-owned co-operative with a century-long history of local ownership. He questioned why structural intervention is being suggested for a local entity while the Australian-listed Woolworths Group would remain intact under its current model. According to the Waatea News report, Rush believes the shared infrastructure of the co-operative — including distribution, technology, and purchasing — is what allows locally owned stores to remain competitive, particularly in smaller communities across Aotearoa. He warned that forcing a separation could lead to duplicated overheads and higher costs for families at the checkout. Rush is also calling for a broader look at the drivers of grocery prices, such as the 15 percent GST applied to food in New Zealand compared to exemptions found in Australia. He suggested that regulatory and compliance costs for farmers and producers are significant factors that must be addressed. By shifting the focus to the entire supply chain, from farm gate to dinner table, Rush aims to ensure that the unique Māori and local business landscape is protected within the wider cost-of-living discussion.