Missing the holiday 'robbery'

Timaruvians are miffed that they will not get a long Waitangi Day weekend.

While the Holidays Act states that if January 2 public holiday falls on a Saturday, employers can observe it on January 4 but only if the employee would not normally have worked on the Saturday or Sunday. However, this does not apply to Anzac Day or Waitangi Day.

When the the Herald surveyed people yesterday afternoon, the majority felt the public holiday for Waitangi Day should be "carried over" to Monday, allowing people to have a long weekend.

Pleasant Point nurse Evang Lygren said it was "daylight robbery".

"We have got precious few holidays as it is without us being able to have this one."

Fellow nurse Terry Needham, said: "we've already been sizzled out of Anzac day this year as that also falls on the Saturday."

Geraldine High School student Stacey Clifford wanted to have a proper long-weekend, and the day off school.

However, Hallensteins Timaru manager Jan Hogg said it should not be changed.

"I work from Tuesday to Saturday, so it's nice to get the advantage of a public holiday in the weekend," she said.

Heinrich van Jaarsveld, of Coffee Culture cafe, agreed.

"I don't think it matters much to my line of work that the holiday is not Monday-ised," he said.

Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson said the government was reviewing the Holidays Act.

However, it was unlikely to "Monday-ise" Waitangi Day.

"From my personal point of view, Waitangi Day, as well as Anzac Day, are special days that should be observed by all New Zealanders in their own way."

Mrs Wilkinson said the government was concentrating on other proposals that the review suggested, including possible amendments to allow employees the option of trading in one week's leave for money.

Opposition spokesman for Labour issues Trevor Mallard said the Labour Party felt it was more important to concentrate on ensuring the four weeks annual leave remained in place.