Easter Trading Issues Far Worse This Year, Govt Must Step In

“This weekend there has been more confusion and frustration than ever before around Easter trading laws. The only solution is for the Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson to step in and put up some fresh Government legislation. It can’t go on any longer,” claims an Auckland retail advocate.

“Again this is not about wanting all the shops to be open. No one wants that. This is about making it less confusing for the public and business, and fairer for certain for communities. This Easter has been worse than ever as far as general confusion out there,” says Cameron Brewer, chief executive of Newmarket Business Association.

“We’ve seen Wanaka forced to shut even though it’s had over 80,000 visitors there for the Warbirds, while Queenstown was allowed to open. Rotorua is keener than ever to open because since December it has been welcoming direct flights from Australia. However Rotorua can’t open, yet Taupo can. Farmers markets were getting conflicting advice as to whether they were legally able to trade, with some now facing fines. Confusion also reigned high over rules around licensed premises opening, with some seeing the need to eat being completely bizarre. Cafes can open if they have ready-to-eat food, but what is ready-to-eat food? More and more hardware stores, most of which have big gardening departments, are opening and facing $1,000 fines by inspectors, even though gardening shops can legally open on Easter Sunday. Then on Easter Sunday, some people are reluctant to go out brunch because they think they’ll be hit by a surcharge, but the reality is Easter Sunday is not a public holiday, despite the major retail restrictions.

“The vexed issues around Easter trading are clearly getting worse. It’s not helped by the fact that three pieces of legislation, the Shop Trading Hours Repeal Act, the Holidays Act, and the Sale of Liquor Act all seem to run at cross-purposes come Easter.

“The Department of Labour conducted extensive and costly research and consultation in 2007 around Easter trading, only for the previous Government to sit on its hands in the lead up to the last election. So all the work has already been done for this Government to pick up.

“No piece of leglisation is perfect but the 1990 Shop Trading Hours Repeal Act could be a lot fairer. It needs to be updated, given the changing expectations of the public, and changing circumstances of places like Wanaka with its massive international airshow. Over 20 years numerous private members bill have failed to sort it out. This Easter has clearly shown that the confusion and frustration is only getting worse. The Minister of Labour can not not bury her head in the sand any longer. For fairness alone, it needs to be sorted out,” says Cameron Brewer.

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