The original law was so outdated and treated Rotorua unfairly, allowing other tourist centres including Taupo and Queenstown to open over Easter weekend while our retailers had to close.
Tourism is a big employer locally. It adds millions to our local economy and Easter weekend is one of our busiest visitor weekends of the year.
The previous law was not only confusing to businesses but to tourists as well. These are people that have come here to spend money and have a good time, but over Easter weekend they were only allowed to do that in certain places.
The new law is all about choice.
It ensures that workers who don't want to work on Easter Sunday cannot be forced to - and that they are not penalised for deciding not to. Businesses also cannot be forced to open on Easter Sunday.
For me, choice is important. If you want to spend your Easter Sunday at church, with friends and family or even out shopping, you should be able to decide for yourself how you would like to spend your time.
Meanwhile, in another boost to our city's booming tourism industry it was announced recently that the Regional Mid-sized Tourism Facilities Grant Fund was now open for applications.
It was also announced that the Tourism Growth Partnership fund would from now on, be exclusively for projects in regional New Zealand.
This is designed to ensure regional economies, like that of Rotorua, reap the benefits of strong growth in the tourism sector.
Rotorua tourism operators have been successful in obtaining funding from the TGP and I encourage all others to apply. Rotorua's tourism sector is experiencing exceptional growth. We are seeing more and more visitors coming here and they are spending more money.
Figures from MBIE show Rotorua's visitor spending has increased 4.9 per cent in the past year, with $716 million spent in the year ending July 2016.
These initiatives will all help to make sure we can make the most of the tourism opportunities on offer.
- Todd McClay is the MP for Rotorua.