December 19, 2007

Media Release (For Immediate Release)

Waitakere Says No To Easter Trading

Waitakere City Council is opposed to any law change which will allow retail shops to open on Easter Sunday.

The Council has decided to make a submission to parliament after the government called for views on whether retail shops should be allowed to open on Easter Sunday.

Tonight Waitakere City Councillors unanimously endorsed the status quo, which sees stores (with certain exemptions, such as pharmacies and souvenir shops) closed on Easter Sunday.

Councillor Warren Flaunty said that for the sake of both shoppers, retailers, and their staff there should be no change to the existing law.

Mr Flaunty said that days such as Easter Sunday without the “enticement of the malls” allow more time to be spent with family.

“I owned a retail business for 35 years and know the pressures that seven day trading can place on those owners, their staff and their families,” he said.

“Having one or two days off a year is just so valuable to them. Surely we can have one or two days a year that are free from rampant commercialism.”

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