Aotearoa/New Zealand’s Easter trading rules will face Federal scrutiny after ACT MP Cameron Luxton’s Bill on the matter was drawn from Parliament’s ballot.
Luxton’s Bill is intended to scrap offences against retailers who wish to open their stores on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Under the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990, most stores must close on these days or risk facing a $1,000 fine.
The Bill will also extend the rights of shop workers to refuse to work on Good Friday as well as Easter Sunday, and intends to reform rules around the serving of alcohol on these public holidays, with current legislation restricting businesses from selling alcohol on these days unless it is with a meal.
Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young said retailers around New Zealand will be pleased that Parliament is to again debate liberalising Easter trading restrictions.
“Restrictions on Easter trading are increasingly outdated in 2024 and are no longer fit for purpose to meet the needs of consumers or retailers,” Young said.
“Consumers are able to shop online without restrictions on any day of the year at any time. The restrictions the Shop Trading Hours Act places on bricks-and-mortar stores are confusing and inconsistent.”
Retail NZ noted that local councils can provide exemptions, which means that the restrictions are not consistent across the country, creating confusion for consumers.
Luxton said if businesses want to trade on these days, they should be able to, and that customers should have rights to choose what to buy.
“That’s how a free society should operate,” he said. “It just doesn’t make sense that bar staff spend much of Easter telling customers when they can drink, how long they have to drink it, how much they are required to eat, and what they have to eat. How about we start treating adults like adults?
“Meanwhile, in retail, bricks-and-mortar stores have rightly pointed out their online competitors don’t suffer the same restrictions on trading.
“Pushing decisions down to local councils created a patchwork of different rules, further complicating a complex regime. We should simply allow people to choose for themselves whether to trade or work.
“I’m looking forward to seeking the support of my fellow MPs across Parliament to let Kiwis enjoy their Easter weekends the way they want.”