Prominent business leaders call on parties to drop interventionist policies

Fifty-one business leaders have signed an open letter from business think tank the New Zealand Initiative, urging political parties to drop interventionist policies. 

It responds to campaign proposals to structurally reform the grocery sector.  

National and New Zealand First propose splitting Foodstuffs. 

Labour wants grocery brands split into separate retail and wholesale arms, and the Greens want to establish a government owned grocery store. 

Initiative Executive Director Oliver Hartwich told Ryan Bridge it's reminiscent of the Muldoon era - someone who never hesitated intervening in any particular market he didn't like.