Easter Trading hours back on Napier's agenda

Robin Gwynn, who lead the court case against NCC, say he is happy with the progress made towards a proper consultation process. Photo / File

Napier City council has drafted a new Easter Sunday Trading Policy, but a union representative says it was a lost opportunity for an apology.

Mike McNab , from First Union, which represents retail workers, said council needed to apologise to ratepayers for defending a court case which claimed council had not consulted on the issue of Easter Sunday Trading properly.

"I think council missed out an apology."

He was also concerned that a point specifically mentioning the importance of Easter weekend for family time, was removed from the policy.

"That's what it's about, families, why would you be removing it out of the submission."

Deputy Mayor Faye White said she pushed to have the language around family time and religious beliefs removed from the document as she felt it was leading the public.

"It's not about not acknowledging those issues," White said.

On the subject of an apology, she said no one had raised the issue with her and therefore was unable to comment.

Ultimately, she was happy with the new consultation document.

Councillor Maxine Boag said they needed to show the community council had learnt their lesson from the last consultation process, and this time ensure everyone who wanted to have their say, could.

"We want to get this right."

Robin Gwynn , who led the court case against Napier City Council, said progress was made at the meeting.

"What's going to go out is going to be a genuine new consultation and that's good."

"They are going out and they are going to consult the right people so this time everyone will have a reasonable chance to submit."

McNab said the hoped this time unions would be consulted properly.

"The retail workers of the city were missed out, but the businesses weren't missed out.

"We want retail workers to have a say in their own town," McNab said.

Easter Sunday Trading has previously been allowed in Napier, however, there was a court case claiming NCC had not consulted on the issue properly.

Unions received no consultation at that time, and the consultation period was over Christmas, making it difficult for churches to respond.

This ultimately lead to NCC losing the case, and having Easter Trading revoked as a result.

It is back on the agenda now, with council passing its draft Easter Sunday Trading policy, which will now be put to the public for consultation.

Easter Sunday trading is back on Napier City Councils agenda and this time groups with special interest will be consulted.

The plan identifies unions, Christian churches, retailers and business organisations as key stakeholders who need special consultation when it comes to Easter Sunday Trading.

Councillors unanimously agreed to pass the draft policy.