Consultation opens on Easter Sunday trading hours

Published: 10 October 2018

We want to know what you think about allowing Napier shops to open on Easter Sunday.


Napier City Council have reopened consultation today on the Easter Sunday Trading Policy. This follows the outcome of a Judicial Review process on the 2016 consultation that determined there had been insufficient consultation on the draft policy.

Napier residents and organisations will again have the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft policy, which includes an amendment to the 2016 Statement of Proposal to provide a broader summary of the key points both for and against the policy.

Prior to August 2016, most shops in New Zealand had to remain closed for three and a half days each year – Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and for half a day on Anzac Day. However, central government since amended the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990, effectively allowing each local Council to decide for themselves whether retailers can trade on Easter Sunday.

Mayor Bill: "Being a tourist city over a busy long weekend, it’s a choice a business owner needs to make based on potential income versus whether they have sufficient staff happy to work on the Sunday."

Mayor Bill Dalton encourages the public to give feedback on the policy, particularly those most affected, but reiterates that if the updated policy is adopted, then there is still a choice for both retailers and employees.

“Being a tourist city over a busy long weekend, it’s a choice a business owner needs to make based on potential income versus whether they have sufficient staff happy to work on the Sunday.”

The submission process on the Easter Trading Policy asks if the submitter supports the proposed Easter Trading Policy and whether the Easter Sunday trading should apply to the whole or part of the district. 

How to make a submission

Many options. You can make a submission online. Or print off an Easter Trading submission form and either:

• Email it to: info@napier.govt.nz.
• Post it to: Freepost 172273, Easter Sunday Trading Policy, Napier City Council, Private Bag 6010, Napier 4142.
• Deliver it in person to the Civic Building Reception, Level 1, 232 Hastings Street, Napier.

There will be a Council hearing in the late November for submitters who may wish to speak in support of their submission. Submissions need to be received by 12pm on Friday 9 November.

More information 

Want to know more? Our consultation page has more information including our full Statement of Proposal and the Draft Easter Sunday Trading Policy.

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