Anger at ‘archaic’ Easter trading law

Christchurch retailers say the Government has ‘‘abdicated its responsibilities’’ by making local councils control Easter trading hours.

MPs narrowly voted to give councils the power to decide Easter trading hours on Thursday.

Some retailers have, for years, ignored laws preventing trading on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Oderings garden centres director Darryn Odering, who has previously paid fines for opening on the holidays, said the Government had ‘‘abdicated its responsibilities’’. ’’To me it’s just the Government passing the buck. We are in the 21st century, not the 12th. People come to New Zealand expecting places to be open, it’s an archaic law, it’s a bad law and the Government is the one who should be setting the benchmark.’’

He said some businesses would face dealing with several councils around the country if the wanted to open.

Westfield Riccarton spokeswoman Debra McGhie said even if it was allowed to open, there would need to be a consultation process with retailers.

‘‘At the end of the day retailers do like to trade to maximise that weekend because they would obviously get people visiting, they would get people from out of town who love shopping but we still want to take the lead of our major retailers because you need to get a consensus.’’

Foodstuffs spokeswoman Antoinette Laird said the firm welcomed the decision.

‘‘It has been our longstanding view that stores should have the choice to be able to serve their communities on Easter Sunday, and while we would have preferred national legislation allowing it, we are happy to work with the framework of local decision-making.’’

A Christchurch City Council spokeswoman said no decision had been made about whether to allow shops to open.

‘‘The first step would be a report to council asking them if they want staff to undertake initial analysis for a bylaw.’’