As part of a series leading up to the General Election, SunLive is asking candidates from Tauranga, Bay of Plenty and the Coromandel electorates about issues facing Kiwis across the region.

In this article, candidates from the Coromandel are answering how they would tackle food costs to the question: ‘How would you support healthy food affordability in New Zealand amid our cost of living crisis?’

Green Party Coromandel Candidate Pamela Grealey says the Green Party believes everyone has a right to enough affordable food.

“We would ensure the needs of New Zealanders are met by creating a national food strategy, and by setting our own distinct standards.

“We value transparent, safe and sustainable food systems that provide for adequate food labelling, appropriate safety measures, and production that actively supports a healthy environment. We would also provide free nutritious lunches for every public school child in Aotearoa New Zealand, prioritising wholefood plant-based foods.”

National Party candidate Scott Simpson says they will deal with food prices by “not fiddling with the GST system” and by “getting inflation under control”.

“That means getting the Reserve Bank back to core business of managing inflation. We need to get the economy back on track. We’ll give tax relief so that hardworking Kiwis can keep more of the money they earn.”

ACT Party Coromandel candidate Joanna Verburg says more supermarkets competing will “put pressure on [supermarkets]” to keep prices lower.

“ACT will exempt OECD members from the Overseas Investment Act, allowing foreign supermarket chains to invest in New Zealand with certainty.

“The Resource Management Act makes it expensive to build new supermarket facilities so ACT will repeal and replace the RMA and make it easier to build new supermarkets, along with logistics infrastructure and farm improvements. By cutting wasteful spending ACT can also put more money in Kiwis’ back pockets through meaningful tax cuts.”

Meanwhile, Labour Party Coromandel candidate Beryl Riley says the party will tackle the healthy food prices by “removing GST off fresh and frozen fruit and veg”.

“Having grocery commissioner to call out supermarkets that are dishonest in advertising etc. Continuing free lunches in schools for targeted communities.

“Teaching Garden to Table programmes in schools and supporting Community gardens and food rescue operations, plus the provision of free courses for cooking on a budget. Sugary drinks are banned in primary schools with a move to ban in secondary too supported by PM.”

Tauranga Animal Justice Party candidate Caitlin Grattan and Bay of Plenty Animal Justice Party candidate Chelsea Stockman both say making healthy plant-based food affordable is vital.

“Removing tax on fruit and vegetables is a good start, I am confident we can build on
this to ensure access to healthy food is achievable for all New Zealanders.”

Outdoors Freedom Party NZ Coromandel candidate Sarai TePou says they will tackle the food prices by making “income ownership cheaper for everyone”, and by having “no tax on the first $40,000 of income.

“Kiwis first – slow immigration to allow us to rebuild our infrastructure.”

Sunlive has approached Coromandel New Zealand Loyal candidate Ray Cobb and Coromandel NZ First candidate Caleb Ansell for comment.