Easter trading deadline approaches
Time is running out for people to have their say on Easter trading in the Waikato district.
Waikato District Council is proposing to adopt an Easter Trading Policy which will allow shops within the Waikato to open on Easter Sunday. A recent change in legislation means that it is now up to individual councils to decide if they introduce a local policy for shop trading on Easter Sunday. At the moment shops can’t open on Easter Sunday unless they meet certain criteria. The submission period, which opened on 14 December, will close at 5pm Friday 17 February.
Why is Waikato District Council looking at introducing this policy now?
Recent changes to the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 mean that councils can introduce a local policy for shop trading, allowing retailers in their districts to open on Easter Sunday. More information here.
Up until now, what shops have been able to open on Easter Sunday?
Under the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 only certain shops were able to open on Easter Sunday. They included shops such as petrol stations, cafes and restaurants, pharmacies and plant retailers. A detailed list is here.
If Waikato District Council adopts the proposed Easter Trading Policy, what would this mean? Would all shops be able to open?
If the proposed policy is adopted all types of retail shops throughout our district (except those selling alcohol for consumption off-site) would be able to open. Whether they do open or not is up to the business owner.
Under the Act, the policy cannot specify any criteria, restrictions or hours that shops could open on Easter Sunday. This means that shops could choose to be open normal business hours.
If Council doesn’t adopt the proposed Easter Trading Policy, what will happen?
Status quo would remain. Only shops exempt from the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 would be allowed to open if Council does not develop an Easter Trading policy.
To tell council what you think, fill in the short online submission form here.
For more information,visit the website. The Statement of Proposal includes information about shops that can open now, what shops would be able to open if the draft policy was adopted and what happens next.
There should be the freedom for all shops to open if they wish. The employees, as the act says, can’t be forced to work unless they want to. That leaves it up to the owner and his/her family if they want to open.
I hope you make a submission, Don!