Let us sell at Easter: retailers

Wanaka retailers will again decide if they will run the gauntlet and open their businesses over Easter as an influx of potential customers arrive for Warbirds Over Wanaka.

Most of the town's businesses are banned from opening on Good Friday or Easter Sunday, while neighbouring Queenstown is exempt from the law.

The rule has been controversial in Wanaka, with many shops choosing to open on the busy days and risk prosecution.

Wanaka business owners spoken to yesterday were reluctant to reveal opening plans for the Easter trading days but all believed they should have the option.

One owner said he would not be opening, but because he wanted to spend time with his family rather than fear of a fine.

"It's a farce, it's absolute bollocks," he said.

Chapter 5 owner Claudia Mcaulay, whose shop is in Pembroke Mall, which has a clause to trade, said even if she was not allowed to open she would.

"We're all New Zealanders and we all pay the same rates, so why can't we be given the same rights?" she said.

But National Distribution Union general secretary Robert Reid said New Zealand had the most liberal trading laws in the Western world and the few holidays left should be preserved.

He would rather see Queenstown's exemption to trade removed than Wanaka included, he said.

A private member's Bill by Rotorua MP Todd McClay briefly raised retailers' hopes, but it was narrowly defeated in December.

Mr McClay, whose electorate of Rotorua is also banned from trading on the holidays, worked closely with Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean on the Easter trading issue.

Yesterday Mr McClay said the defeat of the bill had been disappointing and was the 12th time a bill on Easter trading had been voted down.

He had not given up, however, and continued to work with Mrs Dean to explore other options in progressing the matter, he said.

The bill had been defeated by just two votes, the closest margin ever, so getting support for the next attempt was vital, he said.

Department of Labour spokesman Colin Patterson confirmed enforcement officers would be checking Easter trading compliance across the country but would not say if they would be in Wanaka.

- © Fairfax NZ News

Newest First

Oldest First