Mayor says 'best chance yet' for Easter Trading

Cabinet today agreed to introduce a Government bill to Parliament to allow local councils to decide opening hours for Easter Sunday. PHOTO/ FILE

Hardworking Rotorua businesses stand to benefit from a Government bill seeking to allow local councils to decide opening hours for Easter Sunday, says Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick.

Rotorua MP Todd McClay announced today that Cabinet has agreed to introduce to Parliament a Government bill modelled on his 2009 bill which was defeated by two votes.

He said the announcement that this was now Government policy meant the numbers were there to pass it into law.

Mrs Chadwick said Easter trading had been a long time coming for local retailers who would finally have "a level playing field".

"This is fantastic for Rotorua and shows some real leadership - Easter trading is something that was never going to happen unless it was introduced as a Government bill so I applaud the Government and our MP Todd McClay for putting this right.

"This is the best chance Rotorua businesses will ever get and have ever had to decide for themselves whether they want to open their doors during the Easter period or not," she said.

"Our local businesses have missed out on a lot of opportunities over the years and those who are entrepreneurs will see this as a chance to make Rotorua a more vibrant place.

"I look forward to working with our local business sector to make this happen for Rotorua."

The mayor said tourism in Rotorua was booming with strong growth in recent months and visitor numbers, visitor nights, visits to attractions and spend all on the increase.

"Being able to open our businesses during one of the busiest weekends of the year will be a fantastic boost for Rotorua and will improve our visitor experience hugely."

Deputy Mayor Dave Donaldson, who leads Rotorua Lakes Council's Sustainable Economic Growth Portfolio, said Easter trading would provide a huge economic boost for Rotorua.

"Our city is full during the Easter holidays and feedback we receive from international visitors is absolute puzzlement that a tourist destination like ours is closed for business over this period.

"We now look forward to everyone in New Zealand having the same opportunities."

In a statement this afternoon, Mr McClay said Rotorua's long wait for Easter trading was over.

"The Government bill is modelled on my 2009 bill which was very narrowly defeated by two votes. That was treated as a conscience issue and the announcement that this is now Government policy means that the numbers are there to pass it into law.

"This is an issue which has been impacting on Rotorua for more than 20 years. It is economically unfair that Taupo and Queenstown can open on Easter Sunday but Rotorua, as one of the country's most important tourist destinations cannot.

"This bill means that through our Council, local shop owners will finally have a choice and the many thousands of visitors to Rotorua over Easter weekends will be able to shop.

"This is a commitment I made to the people of Rotorua in 2008 and both Mayor Steve Chadwick and I have been fighting for since then. I am elated that Cabinet has agreed to level the playing field for retailers around New Zealand and delivered sensible Easter Trading laws to Rotorua," Mr McClay said.

The bill will include safeguards to protect workers who do not wish to work - and retailers who do not wish to open on Easter Sunday.

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