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 That means the Ōpōtiki 2017 Policy is no longer in force in 2025.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
Use the form below to make a submission on this policy.
Alternatively, you can collect physical copies of the draft policy and submission forms from our main office at 108 Saint John Street, Ōpōtiki. These can be returned to use by
- Sending it to Ōpōtiki District Council, PO Box 44, Ōpōtiki.
- Dropping a copy off to our main office front reception at 108 Saint John Street, Ōpōtiki.
- Emailing a copy to info@odc.govt.nz.
