Taranaki Councils to Consult on Easter Trading

Taranaki’s three district Councils have all agreed to consult with their communities early in 2017 about whether they want shops open on Easter Sunday.

All three Councils made the decision this week at their final meeting for the year.

South Taranaki District Council group manager of environmental services, John McKenzie, says the councils decided to consult at the same time to make it less confusing for the public and reflect the collaborative relationship the three councils had.

The move comes after the Government changed the law in August to allow Territorial Authorities to choose their own Easter Sunday Trading Policies.

While Easter Sunday is not officially a public holiday in New Zealand, shops are required to be closed, although a number of shops like dairies, cafes, pharmacies, and service stations are already exempt from the rule.

McKenzie says that Foodstuffs NZ, who own New World and Pak’nSave supermarkets and Retail NZ have already written to the councils asking for public consultation on this issue.

Each council will undertake consultation early in the New Year so decisions can be made in time for Easter 2017.

ENDS

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