Ōpōtiki District Council has adopted its Easter Sunday Trading Policy just in time for the big day.

At an extraordinary meeting yesterday, the council adopted the policy that will allow businesses in the district to decide for themselves whether or not to open on Easter Sunday.

Last year, the policy that has been in place since 2017 was found to have lapsed the previous year, causing issues for several businesses.

Because the council had not renewed the policy during the necessary time period, it had to draft a new policy for a four-week consultation, which was approved in mid-March.

Nine submissions were received – six in support and three against.

Just one submitter, Barry Hill, spoke to his submission on the proposal in favour of the policy at yesterday’s meeting.

“I’m not one for hyperbole,” he said. “I am in support of this policy and if you want to trade on Sunday and employ people to do so, you should be able.”

Historically, shops have had to close on three and a half days each year in New Zealand - Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Anzac Day (until 1pm) and Christmas Day.

With a law change in 2016, districts could choose to pass an Easter Sunday Trading Policy giving shops the freedom to open or not on Easter Sunday.

Ōpōtiki passed its first Easter Sunday Trading Policy in 2017. That policy lapsed in 2023, and the council drafted a proposal to reinstate a policy in time for Easter 2025.

During earlier council discussions on the policy, Ōpōtiki Mayor David Moore noted that the lapse of the policy had been difficult for some of the bigger businesses in the district.

“Last year the policy lapsed, and no shops were able to choose to open on Easter Sunday and several businesses and their customers expressed frustration with that. So, with the policy reinstated this year, it will give businesses a choice again whether or not they will open,” Mr Moore said.

Discussion at the council meeting also touched on legislative protections for workers who may be asked to work on Easter Sunday. Councillors noted that because the day was not a public holiday, employers and employees should be well aware of their rights and obligations.