Surcharge confusion stretches to 4th day

Photo / Sarah Ivey

Confusion over when cafes and restaurants can legitimately charge extra on public holidays continues as the long weekend enters its fourth day.

Dozens of customers stung by the higher prices over multiple days have contacted the Herald to voice anger at surcharges of up to 20 per cent at many businesses around the country since New Year's Day.

Making matters worse, it's not just restaurants and cafes imposing the controversial surcharge - A&E clinics, hairdressers and even ice cream vans are doing the same.

Businesses are allowed to impose a surcharge on statutory holidays, but consumers have been left feeling cheated as the holiday spans four days this year. Because New Year fell on a weekend the official days off roll forward to Monday and today.

Some businesses have chosen to impose the tax on two of the four days, but consumers say a lack of clear, visible signage at many places has meant they ended up with added costs they weren't expecting.

Others claim businesses are being greedy in adding surcharges on the weekend days given it wasn't officially a holiday.

"I was horrified to be told of a 20 per cent surcharge as I don't consider the Sunday as a public holiday," said Neville Guy of Clevedon, who was slapped with a surcharge at Soul Bar and Cafe when dining with his wife.

"I eat there for business but my wife doesn't get that opportunity. Sure I could have walked away, but why disappoint my wife. I'll be considering other options for business in future, and there are plenty."

Roger Stevens said being asked to pay a surcharge on a $20 advertised lunch menu at Aubergine in Takapuna was "false and misleading".

"It'll be a cold day in hell before we return," Mr Stevens said.

Lexino van der Hoek, of Hawkes Bay, thought it was unfair that patrons are made to pay the additional staff wages for restaurants.

"All other service industry outlets carry that cost themselves, so it is time the public protest this unfair charge."

Dave Cundy said he had to pay $82, which included the surcharge, when he took his 9-year-old daughter to the Ascot White Cross Hospital in Greenlane on Saturday.

"Although this is a lot, we felt we could not leave our daughter without medical attention for four days."

The hospital said it imposes a surcharge, which varies depending on treatments, on "all public holidays", which it claims includes the four days over Christmas and four over the New Year.

Rachel Thomson, of Tauranga, said she thought it was "a bit rude" to be told by a barber shop that there was a $3 extra charge on a $16 haircut for her 2-year-old son.

Cameron Brewer, Auckland Council Business Advisory chairman and councillor for Orakei, says the holidays legislation isn't working any more, and that it is forcing more businesses to shut on public holidays.

"It's tragic that young cafe workers keen to earn a buck are being told by their bosses that there's no work for them over Christmas and New Year.

"It's become abundantly clear that what was actually designed to protect workers is now seeing them lose work opportunities."