Do you think it's fair for businesses to trade on Easter Sunday? Do you value shops being open during this time? How do you spend the Easter, yourself?
These are just some of the questions SunLive journalist Sam Gardner asked when she took to the streets to gather opinion from local residents on their thoughts about Easter Trading.
There were mixed opinions throughout all of the eight people that were asked, who included a range of business owners, private citizens and even visitors to the region.
However a majority agreed, the season was a time to relax, enjoy recreational activities and of course, time spent with family.
The issue made headlines earlier this year when a decision was made by Tauranga City Council to allow trading on Easter Sunday across the whole city.
The decision was made following a lengthy submission process on the proposed Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy.
Easter Sunday has traditionally been a restricted trading day, with only a few types of shops allowed to open. In 2016 Parliament gave territorial authorities the power to create local policies that allow shop trading on Easter Sunday.
Following consultation with the community, Tauranga City Council adopted an Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy in November last year, allowing all shops across Tauranga to trade on Easter Sunday if they wish to.
The policy took effect from January 1, 2018 and means:
- All shops are allowed to open on Easter Sunday, should they wish to;
- This applies to the entire city, including all suburbs (e.g. Papamoa, Mount Maunganui, Bethlehem, Greerton etc.);
- Liquor licensing provisions still apply. If a venue was not previously allowed to sell alcohol on Easter Sunday, this doesn't change. Alcohol must continue to only be sold with a meal at restaurants and cafés.
In addition:
- Employees are entitled by law to refuse to work on Easter Sunday, without having to give a reason. Further information and resources for employees and employers are available on the Employment New Zealand website.
- Easter Sunday is not a public holiday and Good Friday remains a public holiday with restricted trading. The rules set by the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 apply on Good Friday, meaning only some shops can open, on certain conditions. See the Employment New Zealand webpage above for details.
8 comments
Who cares?
Posted on 31-03-2018 12:55 | By MISS ADVENTURE
Surely a couple of days a year without shops opened can happen without ado! Surely say 2-3 days a year when you cant shop is not a big ask, think about is, what can you do in thise extra 2-3 days a year that you cant do in the other 362-364 days in the year. ABSOLUTELY nothing! Perhaps respecting something important and significant from History that "actually" did happen is an important thing for a nation to do. Look to be realistic the 6th Feb is "just another day" and that results from the created and mythical creations of some, the demand of control to a few that is so evil, many obvious resile from what it could have been. But days like Christmas day, Easter Friday, Sunday and Monday for starters are genuinely worthy of recognition and respect duly earned.
Easter Sunday trading
Posted on 31-03-2018 13:49 | By Val.M
There are so many famililies who would prefer not to have trading on Easter Sunday. Two days off over this important weekend wont hurt anyone! Is not as though any more will be spent for shop owners profit, by have Sunday trading!!!
CHOICE
Posted on 31-03-2018 15:19 | By [email protected]
The key is being able to choose whether to open or not and that employees have the right to refuse without giving a reason.
@MISS ADVENTURE & Val. M
Posted on 31-03-2018 15:46 | By morepork
There was a Democratic process followed and the result is that the overwhelming majority of the Community wants to be able to shop on Sunday. There is no disrespect to your particular religious beliefs implicit in this, just a statement that we live in a diverse religious group and NO ONE religion can impose its will on the rest of us. By your own arguments, honouring ONLY Christian holidays could be considered an affront to those who hold other beliefs. The legislation is thoughtful and inclusive for all sides of the argument. If you REALLY think it would do no harm to have a few "shop free" days during the year, then simply stay home and don't shop on those days. But don't try and make me do the same.
Misunderstanding
Posted on 31-03-2018 15:56 | By morepork
Democracy is far from perfect and there will always be minorities who "lose". Fortunately, in civilized societies like ours, people can express their discontent with an outcome, without needing to strap on suicide vests or trying to terrorize the majority into submission to the will of the minority. The "right" way for a minority to get what they want is for them to organize and PERSUADE the majority to change its mind on the issue, then require another referendum. If the minority is unable to do that, then there are two choices: 1. Accept gracefully that the Democratic process has worked and you lost. 2. Go and live somewhere else, because you have either misunderstood the Democratic principle or you will only accept it when you "win". (Which amounts to the same thing, really...)
Unbelievable misadventure
Posted on 31-03-2018 16:51 | By waxing
You can't even make your point about Easter Sunday without also stirring things up racially. Just out of interest, if 6 February is not the anniversary of our founding day as a nation, what is?
Asking for a friend
Posted on 31-03-2018 20:12 | By vandoo
If traders want to trade on Easter Sunday then why shouldnt they? And who decides who can trade and who cannot trade? It seems ridiculous and unfair to discriminate against certain types of traders and allow others to continue to trade as usual. We live in a multicultural community now, where many people would not describe themselves as Christian therefore do not celebrate Christian festivals.I say let everyone trade if they want to. I dont think people who do celebrate Easter have the right to tell anyone whether they can trade or not. If they dont want to shop on Easter Sunday then may I suggest you stay at home and not go shopping?Whats Easter Sunday got to do with shopping anyway? And exactly how is your Easter Sunday affected by a trader who chooses to trade on that day?Just asking.
Shops should open when they want
Posted on 31-03-2018 21:19 | By GreertonBoy
The business owners have rent to pay, staff to pay, bills coming in.... as long as they are fair to staff who may want to go away on Easter holidays and dont foorce an employee to work when they have other plans, they should be able to popen when they want. Don't start on the religion side of things either... otherise shops should have to close at Chinese New Year, Ramidan, Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha, Rosh Hashanah, Muharram, Yom Kippur etc.... We need to be careful pushing Christian values in our 'multi religion' NZ or we may end up with more forced closure days than working days... Let shops and businesses decide. If 'families' dont want shops open on Easter Sunday, then dont go to them? Butt out!
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