Should shops be able to trade on Easter Sunday?
Currently all shops in the Western Bay of Plenty District can choose to open on Easter Sunday if they want to.
It's time to review our policy and we have three options for you to consider:
- Should we continue to allow businesses to trade on Easter Sunday,
- Should only certain shops should be allowed open, or
- Would you prefer that only shops in certain areas of our District are allowed to open?
Fill in our feedback form or see other ways to give us your feedback at the bottom of the page.
The background
Shops are currently able to open on Easter Sunday through Council’s Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy. We are checking if we should continue with this approach or make any changes.
In 2016 the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 (“the Act”) was amended to enable all councils to choose whether to allow shops in their Districts to trade on Easter Sunday. The Act does not change any of the other restricted trading days (Good Friday, ANZAC Day or Christmas Day), and it doesn't remove employee’s rights to choose not to work on Easter Sunday.
Council adopted the current Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy on 6 December 2017. The Policy applies to the whole Western Bay of Plenty District and allows shops to trade on Easter Sunday if they want to.
Now, Council needs to review its Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy to make sure it’s still right for our District.
Why are we having this kōrero?
Decisions on the future direction of the policy are required by law by the end of this year. There is proposed national legislation which if passed would remove the need for a policy and allow for trade. However, due to legislative timing it is not possible for us to wait for the outcome of that Bill if it progresses.
Key details under each option
Option 1: Continue to allow trading across the Western Bay District if the business chooses to trade.
- This option keeps the Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy the same. It is Council's preferred option.
- If businesses decide to open on Easter Sunday, government legislation requires Employers to give 8 weeks' notice that they will be opening. Employees can refuse to work, but they must give 4 weeks' notice before Easter Sunday.
Option 2: Change the rules so only certain shops are able to open on Easter Sunday.
- This means dropping the Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy. Trading would revert back to the rules under the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990, meaning only certain shops can open.
- Shops able to open under this Act include dairies, service stations, takeaway bars, restaurants and cafes, duty free stores, shops providing services but not selling goods (e.g. a hairdresser), real estate agencies, pharmacies, garden centres, shops at public transport hubs, shops within an exhibition or show, and souvenir stores.
- The occupier of a shop not allowed to trade could be fined up to $1,000 by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment for trading on Easter Sunday.
Option 3: Change the rules so only shops in certain areas of our District are able to open.
- This means we would amend the Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy to allow trading in specified areas.
- If shops in these areas decide to open on Easter Sunday, Employers must give 8 weeks' notice that they will be opening. Employees can refuse to work, but they must give 4 weeks' notice before Easter Sunday.
- Shops not in these areas will revert to the rules under the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 (where only certain shops are allowed to open). These shops include dairies, service stations, takeaway bars, restaurants and cafes, duty free stores, shops providing services but not selling goods (e.g. a hairdresser), real estate agencies, pharmacies, garden centres, shops at public transport hubs, shops within an exhibition or show, and souvenir stores.
- Shops in areas not allowed to trade and not included in the above list could be fined up to $1,000 by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment for trading on Easter Sunday.
Note: As a local Council, we do not have the authority to change the regulations so that all shops must close on Easter Sunday.
For more detail on the advantages and disadvantages of each option, see the Statement of Proposal document attached at the top of this page.
What happens from here?
After receiving your feedback, Council will consider all comments and make a decision on Easter Sunday trading. This will determine whether shops will be able to open on Easter Sunday from 2025.
Have further pātai, want to give feedback in person or talk to someone?
- If you would rather fill in a paper feedback form, come and do it at one of our locations: Council's Head Office at Barkes Corner, Waihī Beach Library and Service Centre, The Centre - Pātuki Manawa, Te Puke Library and Service Centre, or the Ōmokoroa Library and Service Centre.
- You can come and tell us your thoughts in person. If you would like to speak in Council Chambers, to the Mayor and Councillors, please email haveyoursay@westernbay.govt.nz to register by 6 September 2024.
- Otherwise, you can contact us on our freephone line: 0800 WBOPDC (0800 926 732) or email us at haveyoursay@westernbay.govt.nz.
Consultation closes 5pm, Friday 6 September 2024
Privacy Act 2020: This form and the details of your submission will be publicly available as part of the decision making process. The information will be held at Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Head Office, 1484 Cameron Road, Tauranga. Submitters have the right to access and correct their personal information.
