Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy Review 2023

Consultation has concluded

CONSULTATION HAS NOW CLOSED

In 2016, the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 (“the Act”) was amended to allow all councils in New Zealand to choose whether to allow shops in their city or district to trade on Easter Sunday. Before this law change, most shops had to remain closed on three and a half days of the year being Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Anzac Day (until 1pm) and Christmas Day.

Council adopted the current Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy in 2017. The policy applies to all of the Whakatāne District and allows shops to trade on Easter Sunday if they want to.

What's happening now?

Council now needs to review its Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy to make sure it is still right for the District. Council is required to review the Policy no later than five years after the adoption date, however the Policy can remain in force for a further two years before it is revoked.

Why do we need a policy?

When the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 was amended in 2016, it allowed councils to have a local Easter Sunday shop trading policy. The policy can permit all shops to open on Easter Sunday, in an entire district or in specified parts of a district. A policy can does not include any other conditions in which shops may open e.g. permit only some types of shops to open or specify times at which shops may open.

Our proposal

Council’s preferred option is to keep the current Policy which was adopted in 2017. In a nutshell this would mean employers can make an individual decision as to whether they open or not. It provides opportunities for increased trading revenue for those businesses that decide to open.

Before we make this decision though, we want to hear from you on the following three options:

  • Option One: Keeping the Policy as it is, enabling all shops across the District to trade.
  • Option Two: Removing the Policy and defaulting to the restricted trading set out in the Shop Trading Hours Act.
  • Option Three: Amending the Policy to provide for shop trading in specified areas within the District.

What the policy cannot do

The Council is only allowed to create a local policy to allow shop trading across the entire district or in specific areas of the district, on Easter Sunday. The Policy only applies to Easter Sunday – not Good Friday or Easter Monday, or any other holiday in New Zealand.

The Council cannot adopt a policy that permits:

  1. shops to open for only some purposes
  2. only some types of shops to open
  3. specific hours a shop can be open and closed
  4. other conditions in which a shop may open.

The policy also cannot override shop trading provisions in other legislation, such as liquor licensing provisions. If a venue cannot currently sell alcohol on Easter Sunday, this policy will not change that.

Submissions

Have your say online below or download a submission form. Submissions close Tuesday 11 April 2023.

CONSULTATION HAS NOW CLOSED

In 2016, the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 (“the Act”) was amended to allow all councils in New Zealand to choose whether to allow shops in their city or district to trade on Easter Sunday. Before this law change, most shops had to remain closed on three and a half days of the year being Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Anzac Day (until 1pm) and Christmas Day.

Council adopted the current Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy in 2017. The policy applies to all of the Whakatāne District and allows shops to trade on Easter Sunday if they want to.

What's happening now?

Council now needs to review its Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy to make sure it is still right for the District. Council is required to review the Policy no later than five years after the adoption date, however the Policy can remain in force for a further two years before it is revoked.

Why do we need a policy?

When the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 was amended in 2016, it allowed councils to have a local Easter Sunday shop trading policy. The policy can permit all shops to open on Easter Sunday, in an entire district or in specified parts of a district. A policy can does not include any other conditions in which shops may open e.g. permit only some types of shops to open or specify times at which shops may open.

Our proposal

Council’s preferred option is to keep the current Policy which was adopted in 2017. In a nutshell this would mean employers can make an individual decision as to whether they open or not. It provides opportunities for increased trading revenue for those businesses that decide to open.

Before we make this decision though, we want to hear from you on the following three options:

  • Option One: Keeping the Policy as it is, enabling all shops across the District to trade.
  • Option Two: Removing the Policy and defaulting to the restricted trading set out in the Shop Trading Hours Act.
  • Option Three: Amending the Policy to provide for shop trading in specified areas within the District.

What the policy cannot do

The Council is only allowed to create a local policy to allow shop trading across the entire district or in specific areas of the district, on Easter Sunday. The Policy only applies to Easter Sunday – not Good Friday or Easter Monday, or any other holiday in New Zealand.

The Council cannot adopt a policy that permits:

  1. shops to open for only some purposes
  2. only some types of shops to open
  3. specific hours a shop can be open and closed
  4. other conditions in which a shop may open.

The policy also cannot override shop trading provisions in other legislation, such as liquor licensing provisions. If a venue cannot currently sell alcohol on Easter Sunday, this policy will not change that.

Submissions

Have your say online below or download a submission form. Submissions close Tuesday 11 April 2023.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy Feedback

    We are reviewing the Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy 2017 and want to hear your feedback. Use the form below to make your submission, or check out the "Other ways to have your say" section for alternative methods.

    Consultation has concluded