Easter Trading laws set to change

Workplace Relations Minister Michael Woodhouse says the proposed law change will enable communities to choose whether to allow trading on the religious holiday.

But less than 70 km away, in the tourist town of Wanaka, shops are forbidden to open.

He says there is a demand from communities across the country to allow for shop trading on Easter Sunday.

He was pleased the Government was seeking to lift the ban.

The issue had been discussed at council level for a long time and there had not been “any indications that there would be any roadblocks”, he said.

“I look forward to working with our local business sector to make this happen for Rotorua”. After that, he said, “we never got charged again”. The proposed law was “a step in the right direction”, but it was a “half hearted measure” if it did not include Good Friday as well, he said.

Mr Lumsden said Paper Plus opened every Easter Sunday in defiance of the 1990 Shop Trading Hours Repeal Act.

However, general manager of the Auckland chain King’s Plants Chris Hall said many customers still did not realise that, and so the changes could still benefit his business.

Adding to the confusion garden centres can be open on Easter Sunday, but not Good Friday.

She and deputy mayor Dave Donaldson, with Chamber of Commerce chief executive Darrin Walsh, support allowing businesses the choice, pointing to the economic boost that would give the city’s economy and tourism industry.

The Bill is expected to be introduced within weeks and after being sent to Select Committee councils will have the opportunity to make submissions.

Every year we see residents and visitors annoyed or bemused that they can’t go to the supermarket or do a spot of shopping during the holiday weekend. Similarly, there will be provisions for employees to refuse to work without any repercussions.

“It’s an empty promise, ” she said. He said the announcement that this was now Government policy meant the numbers were there to pass it into law.

“The Government knows New Zealanders think their health and safety laws are a joke”.

“This is a deeply undemocratic move”.

“National is now looking to ram changes through as a Government vote and force MPs, like Bill English, to vote for Easter trading even though it is against their conscience”.

“MBIE will develop an information plan to communicate clearly what the changes are and will work with territorial authorities through Local Government New Zealand to ensure communities are aware of the changes to shop trading and how they will be implemented”.

“Power relations in a workplace make it impossible for a worker to refuse to work Easter Sunday”, First Union retail and finance secretary Maxine Gay said.

As part of them, workers will also be able to refuse to work on Easter Sunday without giving a reason.