Your views on Easter trading sought by the council

The Manawatu¯ community is being asked to decide whether officials should allow shops to open at Easter.

With an increasing number of businesses wanting to open on Easter Sunday, and shoppers expecting more commercial options, the Manawatu¯ District Council is asking whether retailers should be able to open their doors.

Under legislation, all councils will be able to allow trading within their boundaries or within smaller, specific areas.

The existing law allows certain shops selling specific items to remain open, while others must close their doors.

It also includes several exemptions that allow shops in areas such as Queenstown and Taupo¯ to open on Easter Sunday, while those in Feilding and Marton cannot.

The new legislation would allow staff to decline work with no reason necessary.

Chief executive Richard Templer said the preferred option was to allow Easter Sunday trading across the district.

But just because shops could open did not mean they had to, he said.

Consultation with the community closes on October 23, with hearings on November 22. The council will adopt the new policy on December 20.

The proposal gives three options – maintain the status quo, allow Easter Sunday trading throughout the district to allow it in only some parts of the district.

The council initially asked ratepayers whether officials should prepare an Easter trading policy during its 2017-2018 Annual Plan.

Seven submissions were received, with two supporting the creation of a policy and five against it.

Following that feedback, officials voted to wait until they had finished the Long-term Plan to revisit the topic.

Strategy manager Rebecca Bell said some businesses and workers may benefit from an extra day’s trading, and visitors would have access to more amenities and activities during the holiday period.

It would also reduce the inequality caused by the existing law, which allowed some shops to open but not others, she said.

Although, it could place pressure on employees to work despite provisions stating they don’t have to. It was important to ensure employees who elected not to work were not penalised for their decision.

Bell also said increased trading hours may impinge on time for rest, relaxation, family and religious activities.