Easter Sunday trading laws mooted
Easter Sunday trade restrictions are up for discussion with Far North District Council asking for submissions on the issue.
Under the Shop Trading Hours Amendment Act 2016, local councils were given responsibility to permit shops to open on Easter Sunday throughout the entire district or specified areas of the district.
In a statement of proposal FNDC says their preferred option is to allow shops to open on Easter Sunday throughout the district so all towns were treated equally.
‘‘The reason for the proposal is to ask the community whether or not to allow for Easter Sunday Trading throughout the district, only in Paihia or in specified places,’’ a council spokesperson says.
Currently, most shops must be closed Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day and half of Anzac Day unless they meet certain conditions.
At present Paihia has an exemption to trade on Easter Sunday.
The Rusty Tractor Cafe partowner Jennifer Lowe says she wouldn’t like there to be further trade restrictions.
‘‘Easter Weekend is a big weekend for us, I don’t want to see more restrictions, it’s hard enough for small businesses anyway.’’
She says she understands businesses not wanting to be open, but says the increased visitors to the area make it worth opening for her cafe.
Kawakawa Business Association Chair Malcolm Francis says Easter Sunday is a religious day and you have to respect it.
There isn’t the customer base in the town to make it worth opening for businesses, he says.
‘‘For some it is a break. Why would you want to open the door? It should be like Christmas, for us to open in Kawakawa - you’d have to be mad.’’
Business Paihia Chair Craig Johnston says he can see both sides of the argument.
‘‘In Paihia we are allowed to open, for other areas and for families they have the day off and a long weekend.’’
Local Easter Sunday Trading policies will still include liquor licensing provisions.
Submissions close on January 27. Hearings will then be held in Kaitaia, Kerikeri and Kaikohe before a policy is adopted by the council on February 16.
Visit www.fndc.govt.nz