Court of Appeal quashes challenge to Woolworths pharmacy contracts

Countdown pharmacy and supermarket (now Woolworths) in Wainuiomata. (Image: BusinessDesk)

Wed, 03 Sep 2025

Local health authorities in Lower Hutt and Gisborne correctly followed the law when awarding contracts to Woolworths pharmacies, the Court of Appeal has ruled.The court has struck down an appeal by a group of independent pharmacies that challenged the decisions made by the former Hutt Valley and Hauora Tairāwhiti district health boards (DHBs), now part of Health New Zealand (HNZ).The two-day appeal was heard before Justices Jillian Mallon, Rebecca Ellis and Francis Cooke in September 2024.'Effective control'In 2023, the Independent Comm...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Markets

2 Cheap Cars signals branding gear change to chase Turners

At the AGM, a shareholder cited Turners' “very aggressive marketing strategy”.

Gregor Thompson 12:00pm

The Quiz Free

QuiznessDesk, Friday, Sept 26

Think you're clever enough?

The Quizmaster 9:15am

Technology

Govt agency defends support for vanishing venture capitalist

NZ Growth Capital Partners refuses to detail problems with Hillfarrance startup fund.

Maria Slade 5:00am

Sponsored

AI agents: opportunity or graveyard? Spark’s five-point playbook for success

Artificial intelligence agents – autonomous digital entities that analyse data, automate decisions, and act independently – are set to drive a new wave of business transformation.

Spark Enterprise

Sponsored

Future leaders start by Dreaming Big

How OnBeingBold empowers Year 13 girls at free leadership events.

OnBeingBold

More Retail

Retail

Hallenstein Glasson reports sales hike to start year

Hallenstein Glasson has reported an early-year sales lift linked to continued growth in its Australian Glassons segment.The clothing retailer reported its full-year earnings for the year to Aug 1 on Friday. Net profit after tax lifted 12.1% to $58.4 million and was at the top end...

Gregor Thompson 11:00am