No complaints about Easter traders

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick and Chamber of Commerce chief executive Darrin Walsh support Rotorua retailers having the choice to open over Easter.

No complaints were laid about Rotorua shops flouting Easter trading laws - and a business leader says a lack of concern shows it's time for a law change.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment was not notified of any Rotorua businesses breaking trading laws over Easter weekend. Trading restrictions on Good Friday and Easter Sunday prohibit many shops from opening. Flouting the law can lead to a $1000 fine.

Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive Darrin Walsh said some shops were open during restricted trading days but the lack of complaints reflected a change in the public attitude.

He said both residents and businesses wanted the choice to shop.

"The council ran a survey of 400 residents and 85 per cent of people were in support of shops opening over Easter," he said. "It would be huge for the local economy."

The Shop Trading Hours Amendment Bill currently before Parliament will grant local councils the power to allow shops to open on Easter Sunday. Good Friday trading laws will not be affected.

Mr Walsh said the bill was a step forward, but it shouldn't be a local council decision.

"It dodges the bullet in that I think it's a decision that central government need to make. But if they come out and allow the councils to do it, I'm confident our council will support and make the right decision," he said. "It should be across the board - a rule that just says 'over Easter, you can open if you wish to open'."

There were 15 Easter trading complaints nationwide - well down on the 42 lodged last year, and the lowest in at least four years.

Retail New Zealand spokesman Greg Harford said the current Easter trading laws were "completely archaic".

"We're really supportive of moves to liberalise trading over Easter. We have got some concerns about the specific legislation the Government has in the house, mainly around the bylaw giving power to local authorities," Mr Harford said.

He said the Government should have taken the opportunity to present a bill changing the law nationwide.

"It doesn't make sense. It's going to be confusing and it's really expensive to administer bylaws," he said.

Mr Harford said people who travelled on Easter weekend might unwittingly get caught in a non-trading area.

However, Mr Harford said it's a step in the right direction and there was widespread support for a change in the law.

"People still need to shop when they're away, and the whole of New Zealand is a destination. People want to get out and about and shopping is part of that."

The bill - expected to be in place by Easter 2017 - would allow any employee to refuse to work on Easter Sunday "without giving a reason".