9. Question No. 9—Commerce and Consumer AffairsDAN ROSEWARNE (Labour) to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer AffairsQuestion No. 9—Commerce and Consumer Affairs9. DAN ROSEWARNE (Labour) to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: What progress can he report on the work he is doing on the pricing of groceries?Hon Dr DUNCAN WEBB (Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs): Heaps is what we can do and what we've done. We're taking actions to get Kiwis the best possible deal for their groceries at the checkout. This follows the market study into groceries that showed super-profits being made by the New Zealand supermarket duopoly. We are letting the little guys buy from the supermarket warehouses putting an end to anti-competitive land agreements that shut competitors out making a code for how supermarkets must deal with suppliers and we've established a groceries commissioner as a permanent watchdog for the sector and more: last week we closed consultation on a new unit-pricing requirement. This will empower shoppers to compare the prices of similar products much more easily helping Kiwis get the best out of their budget.Dan Rosewarne: How does unit pricing work?Hon Dr DUNCAN WEBB: Unit pricing helps consumers choose the best deal for their needs by comparing value and price. It's particularly helpful where products are sold in different-sized packaging and by different brands. New rules will require supermarkets and other large grocery retailers to clearly and consistently display the price per unit of product so they can be compared more easily—for example the price per 100 grams or by litre.Dan Rosewarne: Will unit pricing bring prices down?Hon Dr DUNCAN WEBB: Yes.Hon Member: How?Hon Dr DUNCAN WEBB: Funny you should ask that. We know that consumers exercising more power with their product choices is likely to have an impact on the prices themselves. That's because it keeps supermarkets and their suppliers in check on any prices that might be confusing or unfair. It makes prices more transparent including price hikes. Unit pricing stimulates different brands to compete on value and that's great for New Zealanders.Dan Rosewarne: What can Kiwis expect to see in the difference in their grocery bills?Hon Dr DUNCAN WEBB: The super-profits in the grocery sector have been many years in the making and that is why we take bold concerted and consistent action. We're committed to see that work in the many steps we're taking. We expect unit pricing to be immediately helpful to Kiwis on tight budgets and also helpful over time for everyone wanting to see their supermarket brands competing on value. We know budgets are tight right now but we're here to back Kiwi consumers to get the best deal possible whatever it takes not like the ACT Party and their National Party mates.David Seymour: How much is 2 litres of milk and a loaf of bread?Hon Dr DUNCAN WEBB: Well Mr Seymour it depends where you go. If you go to The Warehouse you can get 2 litres of milk for $3 the same milk is $3.50 at the supermarket but if you buy Meadow Fresh it's about $5.70. So my message to you is shop around. SPEAKER: Now question No. 10 Erica Stanford. [Interruption] Order! Settle down.