Should shops be able to trade on Easter Sunday?

In 2016, the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 was amended to allow all councils in New Zealand to choose whether to allow shops in their city or district to trade on Easter Sunday. Before this law change, most shops had to remain closed on three and a half days of the year - Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Anzac Day (until 1pm) and Christmas Day.

Council adopted an Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy in 2017 that applied to the whole Ōpōtiki District and allowed shops to trade on Easter Sunday if they wanted to.

The Policy must be reviewed five years after the adoption date and if it is not, it remains in force for a further two years before it is revoked. That means the Ōpōtiki 2017 Policy is no longer in force in 2025.

Council is seeking to re-adopt an Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy and make sure it is still the right fit for our District. There is no significant difference to the 2017 policy.

Our draft bylaw

Council’s preferred option in this draft policy is very similar to the 2017 policy – it would mean each business can make a decision on whether they open or not on Easter Sunday.

Before we make this decision though, we want to hear from you!

Kōrero Mai | Have your say

Consultation on this policy has closed.

Council will consider the submissions and make a decision at an Extraordinary Council meeting on Wednesday 16 April 2025.

Policy Adopted

Council adopted a new Easter Sunday Trading Policy at the Extra Ordinary Council meeting on 16 April 2025.

The final Easter Sunday Trading Policy is now in effect and available to read on our website.