Foodstuffs North Island's been fined more than 3-million-dollars for blocking competitors building

The High Court at Wellington has told the chain to pay 3.25-million-dollars over anti-competitive land covenants at three Lower North Island locations - lodged in 2021.

They are now illegal, and limited sites available to rival supermarkets.

The judge says it gave rise to serious competition issues and reflected a deliberate effort to hinder competitors.