Councillor Geraldine Travers said it was tragic that New Zealanders' greatest leisure time activity was shopping.
"There's no more money to go around - to have the luxury of a few days a year when people are free from consumerism is very advantageous.
"Young people that have retail jobs often come under huge pressure to take every shift offered - it's good to have some days when families can relax together."
Councillor Bayden Barber noted that most submitters favoured the status quo and that the previous consultation had given an adequate sample of the feeling in the community.
"It's a busy world these days - having a day off, including from shopping, is very important - including for staff.
"In the feedback we got there's still a group of people that celebrate the day for religious reasons."
He noted that while Napier City Council had adopted Easter Sunday trading, the Hastings district did not have the same tourism considerations.
Councillors Henare O'Keefe and Jacoby Poulain also noted the community desire to retain Easter Sunday as a sacred day.
Councillor George Lyons, however, said the council had been discussing revitalising the Hastings CBD, and that people did not have to go shopping if all retailers were allowed the option to open.
Both Tania Kerr and Damon Harvey supported Mr Lyons' sentiments.
"Only this week we have been looking at significant proposed plans to revitalise the CBD," said Mr Harvey.
"The CBD and business area is not just about shopping, there's also a recreational element, it brings people together and to interact.
"People should have the choice in this day and age - they will go online if they want to shop."
The Hastings City Business Association conducted its own survey of its members earlier this year, 70 per cent of whom supported being able to open their businesses.
Association president Susan McDade said it was disappointing the council did not proceed with more in-depth consultation, which would have been required if an Easter Sunday trading policy was adopted.
"To close the door on it is disappointing, not just for our membership but the wider business community.
"The biggest issue our members had, even though many said they would not necessarily open if they were allowed to, was that they wanted to have the choice."
In rejecting introducing Sunday trading the council was not required to go back to the community to consult on its decision.
If the council wished to review its position, it legally had five years within which to do so.
