CARITAS AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND
MEDIA RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
5 April 2012

Take a break this Easter – and send us your photos

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is calling on New Zealanders to take special note of the different ways we spend our Easter break. This call is made as the threat of extended Easter trading hours continues to hang over the heads of New Zealand families, communities and retail workers.

Caritas Director Julianne Hickey says that with only three and a half shop-free days a year, Easter has become an opportunity for extended leave and special activities for many New Zealanders.

Mrs Hickey said while the Easter period is the holiest time in the Church calendar, Churches recognise that the significance of the Easter break goes well beyond religious observance. ‘We know that this is a time of hui, of school and family reunions, of sporting tournaments, and just an opportunity for families to rest and spend time together.

‘We hope that people will notice and value the many different activities that we are able to engage in, and we are asking people to send us their photos of Easter activities – whether it be a family meal, a special outing, religious observance, or participating in one of the many different events that take place at Easter – recognising that most of us are not at work.’

Mrs Hickey says the continued appearance on the Parliamentary Order paper of a private member’s bill to extend Easter trading hours in the Waitaki electorate is a threat hanging over New Zealanders. ‘We know that this bill did not have the numbers to pass when it was last scheduled, which is why its sponsor, Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean, withdrew it from facing a vote.

‘However, as the bill has been confirmed in the legislative programme of the new Parliamentary term, it seems that the bill’s supporters are waiting for a time they judge to be most opportune to re-seek a first reading of the bill and a first vote. Meanwhile churches, communities, retail workers and others potentially affected by this bill are left with a lot of uncertainty around the timing and process of a vote.’

The majority of members of Parliament have consistently voted against any liberalisation of Easter trading hours, despite 10 proposals in the past 20 years to change the law.

‘We recognise that there are essential industries – such as healthcare and police - in which workers must be employed every day of the year, and we acknowledge and thank those who undertake those roles as a commitment to the community. However, shopping is not an essential service. We believe that society’s retail needs are sufficiently met through 361½ shopping days a year.’

Mrs Hickey says Caritas is looking forward to receiving photos from people in all walks of life showing how they celebrate Easter in 2012. Photos can be sent to easter@caritas.org.nz to share with others the positive ways they celebrate Easter.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is a member of Caritas Internationalis, a confederation of 165 Catholic aid, development and social justice agencies active in over 200 countries and territories.
ENDS.
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