The New Zealand government has passed laws that allow local councils to decide if shops in their area will open on Easter Sunday.
The law has been passed due to the frustration around Easter trading laws with some tourist centres being allowed to trade, and others not.
Parliament has tried in the past to bring in laws but have been unable to get the numbers.
Last week government voted 62 to 59 in favour of the Shop Trading Hours Amendment Bill.
Workplace Relations Minister Michael Woodhouse told Parliament a large and growing number of events were being scheduled over Easter, such as Warbirds over Wanaka.
“This event draws large crowds from New Zealand and around the world. The inability to even have a choice to do a bit of shopping is outdated.”
Mr Woodhouse said it should be up to local communities whether they opened on Easter Sunday – not Parliament.
Traditionally MPs were allowed a personal vote on legislation like this – but National made its MPs vote along party lines.
4 Responses
wow we shold say if the shops close on ester monday
that’s great news
Why do we even need laws about it?
is this even something that we should be frustrated about?
What if there was no easter at all? What do you think would happen? would the government’s reaction still be like this?