David
CLARK
MP for Dunedin North

7 February 2012 MEDIA STATEMENT
Hola, hola, holiday
Moving public holidays which fall at the weekend to Monday would ensure New Zealanders are not deprived of well-deserved statutory breaks, Labour’s MP for Dunedin North David Clark says.

Mr Clark today introduced a private member’s bill aimed at correcting an anomaly that sees Kiwis lose out on two public holidays – Waitangi Day and Anzac Day – every five years.

“These are two of this country’s most significant days, yet a glitch in the system means they are not protected under the Holidays Act.

“There are no plans to shift commemorations – they will still be celebrated on the actual dates – but it doesn’t seem fair that where workers are entitled to a day off they are sometimes missing out,” David Clark said.

“It’s becoming increasingly difficult to have family time together these days, with the service and retail sectors now working across seven days.

“It was great to see families out enjoying the various local Waitangi Day celebrations as part of the long weekend. Labour wants to remains a tradition.

“It won’t impact on employers – they already budget for 11 statutory holidays. The bill makes sense and, while I hate to admit it, the Australians already ‘Monday-ise’ their public holidays.

“There’s no reason Kiwis should continue to miss out,” David Clark said.

ENDS

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