New Easter policy in the works
Less than a week after the legislation was passed, Marlborough is already working on a policy to allow shops to open on Easter Sunday.
The Marlborough District Council revealed on Tuesday it had started work on a draft policy following the government’s decision on Thursday to pass Easter trading rules onto local councils.
The new policy will be considered at the next full council meeting on September 22, before going through a period of public consultation if it met the approval of councillors.
Marlborough Mayor Alistair Sowman welcomed the news, saying the council had long lobbied government on the basis that previous Easter Sunday trading restrictions were unfair.
In the past, businesses in tourism towns such as Taupo and Queenstown had exemptions to trade, but Marlborough businesses had to close on one of the busiest weekends of the year, especially when the region hosted the biennial Omaka Classic Fighters Airshow.
‘‘We had 35,000 people here at the last Easter air show for example; we need to ensure we can offer the kind of hospitality they deserve and that includes throwing open shop doors,’’ Sowman said.
Depending on the response during the submission period, a council media statement said a new policy could be in place by Easter next year, in time for the next Omaka Classic Fighters Airshow.
The option to create a policy to allow Marlborough businesses to trade on Easter Sunday was also supported by the four mayoral candidates, along with business and tourism leaders. However, the move was criticised by church leaders.
Destination Marlborough general manager Tracy Johnston said the Easter weekend was a key time for visitors coming to the region, and anything that helped them spend more was good news.
‘‘Growing the economic contribution of visitor spend into Marlborough is what we focus on, so ensuring businesses are able to open, to be able to sell their wares to visitors is great news, especially around events like the classic fighters,’’ she said.
Blenheim Business Association chairman Anthony Mullen also supported new trading rules, although he said it was important that workers were given the option not to work.
‘‘There are business owners at the moment that say, ‘if we could open at Easter time then we would’, regardless of whether the airshow is on or not,’’ Mullen said.
If councillors approved the draft policy, anybody would be able to make a submission. Marlborough Chamber of Commerce general manager Stephen Gullery said it was good the process was being opened up for consultation.
‘‘The chamber supports the MDC in their process to consider extending the trading hours for Easter Sunday.’’
The growing economic benefits from tourism in Marlborough meant it made sense for businesses to be able to trade and grow the sector further, Gullery said.
However, if councils around the country adopted policies allowing for Easter Sunday trading, he questioned whether there would be enough holidaymakers to make trading worthwhile.
‘‘If all communities are open for business, requiring their staff to work, far fewer people will actually be holidaying on the weekend.
‘‘The reason for opening can effectively be negated.’’