What’s in store for Easter shopping

Fancy going for a shop this long weekend? Reporter Chloe Winter provides a guide to the complex – and moral – maze of what’s open.

EASTER has always been a confusing holiday for Kiwis, but it has become more so since councils were given the power to decide who can and can’t open.

In August 2016, the thenNational government passed responsibility of Easter trading hours to councils, meaning local bodies had the power to rule on whether retailers could open on Easter Sunday.

Prior to that, only shops with exceptions were allowed to trade. These included shops which sell necessities, such as dairies, service stations, and pharmacies.

To date, 39 of the 67 councils have created bylaws allowing about 9500 retailers to open if they want.

However, this is still only a fraction of shops around the country, with Wellington, Auckland, and other major centres opting against it. About 25,700 retailers cannot open.

By law, all shops must close for three and a half days a year: Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and until 1pm on Anzac Day.

In saying that, Easter Sunday is the only one of these holidays which is not a public holiday. And therein lies the confusion.

Retail NZ spokesman Greg Harford said retailers deserved the right to choose whether to open or not. ‘‘It’s the 21st century, the Government and councils should not be trying to regulate shopping between consulting adults.’’

Last year, research conducted by Nielsen showed 51 per cent of Kiwis undertook some form of commercial activity on Easter Sunday, Harford said.

‘‘Not everyone wants to go to church on Easter Sunday,’’ he said.

‘‘Shopping is an essential activity for those needing to purchase food or other essential items and, for many, it is an important social activity, providing an opportunity to engage socially with friends and family.’’

So what right do workers have and what are employers’ obligations?

All shop employees have the right to refuse to work on Easter Sunday, and they do not have to give their employer a reason.

If a shop owner wants people to work, they have to send a letter or email at least four weeks prior to Easter Sunday, asking staff if they would like to work. The letter must also say they have the right to refuse work.

Staff who cannot work because the shop is closed will typically be required to take a day’s annual leave.

If the shop is trading and staff choose to work, staff will be paid their usual rate, not time-anda-half.

If staff usually work Sundays, but the shop is closed, staff will not get a paid day off, unless it is stated in an individual’s employment agreement.

First Union retail, finance and commerce secretary Tali Williams said most workers were ‘‘very unclear’’ on the rules.

‘‘Our perspective on National handing out the decision to councils is it has created confusion because there are different rules in different regions but with the same brands.

‘‘Many of the brands we cover are national in nature but now in some regions they are now going to open on Easter Sunday while others are not.’’

If shops, cafes or restaurants want to charge a surcharge, it must be clearly disclosed and the reasons could not mislead ● Dairies (only food, drink, household items, and personal items) ● Service stations (only food, drink, household items, personal items, petrol, oil, car parts and accessories) ● Takeaway bar, restaurant, cafe (only prepared or cooked food ready to be eaten immediately in the form in which it is sold) customers.

The only public holidays during the Easter period are Good Friday and Easter Monday. Saturday and Sunday are not public holidays.

‘‘If retailers are applying surcharges on a public holiday, they need to tell their customers upfront,’’ Consumer NZ head of research Jessica Wilson said.

‘‘When you’re at a restaurant, you need to be told about any public holiday surcharge before you eat. If you weren’t told about the extra charge, you don’t have to pay it,’’ she said.

As Easter is Christianity’s holiest holiday, organisations such as the Catholic Church do not support Easter trading, a New Zealand Catholic Bishops spokeswoman said.

‘‘While the three and a half shop-free days remain significant holy days for many New ● Duty free stores ● A shop providing services, not selling goods (such as video stores or hairdressers) ● Real estate agencies ● Pharmacies ● Garden centres (only Easter Sunday) ● A shop at any public transport terminal or station (only books, magazines and newspapers, or duty free items Zealanders, their significance extends beyond religion. Traditional longer holidays, such as Easter, allow time for family and community groups to gather, hold events or rest. These are opportunities which are becoming increasingly rare.’’

Minster of Workplace Relations and Safety Iain LeesGalloway said discussing potential changes around Easter trading was not a priority. ‘‘While I do appreciate that the situation that we’ve inherited from the previous Government is not satisfactory, any work in this area will come after we have completed our current commitments.’’ and souvenirs, or food that has been cooked or prepared and is ready to be eaten) ● A shop where an exhibition or show is taking place (includes markets, craft shows and stalls if the shop is within the premises of the exhibition or show ) ● A shop primarily selling only souvenirs (connected to a New Zealand place or Kiwi culture)