Last year Queenstown Lakes District Council adopted the Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy 2025, allowing all shops in the district to open on Easter Sunday if they choose.

The policy supports ease of business and recognises the needs of the retail and tourism sectors, while providing a consistent, district-wide approach to Easter Sunday trading.

Under the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990, Easter Sunday is a restricted trading day, meaning most shops are required to close unless they fall within specific exemptions. Exempt businesses include dairies, cafés, service stations, garden centres, pharmacies, and souvenir and duty-free shops.

However, amendments to the Act made in 2016 allow councils to adopt policies permitting wider Easter Sunday trading across all or part of their district. This provision applies only to Easter Sunday and does not extend to Good Friday or Easter Monday.

The Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy 2025 does not apply to the sale or supply of alcohol, which continues to be regulated under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.

Employees have the right to choose whether or not to work on Easter Sunday. The Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 outlines the respective rights and obligations of both employers and employees.

Easter weekend trading rules for Queenstown Lakes District

• Good Friday: There is an exemption order (Employment NZ - Valid exemptions granted page 12) under the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 for Queenstown that allows shops within a 35km radius from the corner of Camp Street and Ballarat Street, to open on Good Friday.
• Saturday: This is not a restricted day of trading in the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990.
• Easter Sunday: The Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy 2025 permits trading in the district on Easter Sunday.
• Easter Monday: This is not a restricted day of trading in the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990.

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