https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/595567/would-buying-bnz-actually-help-new-zealanders

'University of Auckland emeritus professor Tim #Hazledine said improving #banking #competition was a worthwhile goal but reducing the number of major brands was unlikely to achieve it.

' "Rather than buying back the Bank of New Zealand and merging it with #Kiwibank, the government should use its ownership of Kiwibank to position it as a 'fighting brand' and reduce #interest rate margins," he said.

' "That could put pressure on the big four #Australian-owned banks to follow suit."' '