No change to 2017 Easter Sunday trading hours

Published on 09 December 2016

Whanganui shops will remain closed on Easter Sunday 16 April, 2017.

The Whanganui District Council, under the Shop Trading Hours Amendment Act 2016, has the option of implementing its own Easter Sunday Trading Policy, allowing shops in all or part of its district to open.

Mayor Hamish McDouall said the Council has opted for the status quo next year.

“The Council has been asked by a retailer to initiate public consultation on Easter Sunday trading. We have decided not to rush this consultation through over the Christmas/New Year period to meet the deadline for this policy to take effect in time. Further time is needed to consider and consult with the community to ensure all viewpoints are canvassed,” Mayor McDouall said.

“If there is a case to review our local position for Easter 2018, this can be worked through following consideration by the Council’s Strategy and Finance Committee.”

The Shop Trading Hours Amendment Act 2016, allowing local authorities to decide on Easter Sunday trading, came into effect In August this year. The Act already allows shops selling certain types of goods (examples include dairies, service stations, take-away bars, restaurants and cafes, and duty free stores) to remain open on the restricted trading days, including Easter Sunday. Some tourist centres also hold an exemption for Easter Sunday.

Before this legislation 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.