Tauranga and Mount retailers are questioning the country's Easter trading laws after some decided to take the risk of a fine and open on stat holidays. Nearly 40 shops nationwide defied the law to open during the long weekend.
Most shops must remain closed on Good Friday and Easter Sunday or
face a fine of up to $1000.
Exemptions apply for convenience, souvenir and duty free stores, pharmacies and shops in premises where there are bona fide shows or exhibitions.
The Department of Labour is still deciding whether to prosecute.
Palmers Gardenworld owner and operator Peter Wayman said the store opened on Good Friday.
"In previous years people just kept turning up."
Mr Wayman said the day used to be used to do work around the store. "In the end we got fed up with people coming and grizzling because we weren't open. The whole law needs re-hashing."
Mitre 10 Mega's Tauranga branch was the only business in the Western Bay of Plenty visited and prosecuted for being open during Easter last year.
Despite the $600 fine, the store opened its doors again this year.
"It was strictly a business decision and that's what we did," store manager Wayne Mansell said.
Geoff Wyllie-Miln, who has been a retailer in Mount Maunganui for 20 years and manages Nevada at Bayfair, said the rules needed reviewing to make it fairer for retailers. "I would have no problem being closed when everything was closed - nothing at all open. If gas stations need to be open and selling gas, then they should not be allowed to sell anything else."
The department has not yet decided on which stores will be prosecuted for Easter trading.
Yesterday's online poll:
Should shops be allowed to open on all public holidays?
Result: 70 percent said yes, 30 percent said no.
