Easter Sunday Is Not A Public Holiday - Give Retailers The Freedom To Open

The EMA says the current law regulating Easter Sunday trading hours causes confusion for retailers throughout the country.

The EMA’s Head of Advocacy and Strategy, Alan McDonald, says the problem lies with the devolved powers given to local councils, who determine whether retailers stay open or not in their respective territories on Easter Sunday.

"This leads to ridiculous anomalies where shops can stay open in places like Rotorua and Queenstown, but not in Auckland or Christchurch," he says.

"But every Easter Sunday you get some business owners who choose to open and run the risk of a fine, simply because the business returns on that day outweigh the cost of the fine. While it’s not something we encourage, it’s simply the reality of the anomaly in the law.

"The rules are complicated and confusing, and many retailers don’t understand what their obligations are.

"We favour a national policy that gives each retailer the freedom to decide for themselves whether or not they open on Easter Sunday - no matter where they’re located in New Zealand.

"We acknowledge that Easter Sunday is an important religious occasion for some Kiwis, but it is not a public holiday.

"In the last census more than half the population declared that they have no religion. So, why are trading hours on Easter Sunday different from any other Sunday?

"It’s time for one nationwide rule that clears up the confusion and gives shop owners the freedom to choose."

About the Shop Trading Hours Act

The Shop Trading Hours Act governs the regulations regarding trading at Easter and on ANZAC Day. Following a change to the Act in 2016, the option was given to local councils to create their own Easter Sunday shopping policy for their respective territories.

Territorial authorities in Queenstown and Rotorua took advantage of the change, providing shop owners with the option to open or not. As a result, many retailers in these areas are now open on Easter Sunday.

"However, in most parts of the country, only a limited number of retailers such as dairies and service stations can open on Easter Sunday," says McDonald.

"In these challenging economic times, if a business wants to trade on a particular day, then the law shouldn’t stand in its way."

Obligations for retailers and employers

If retailers intend to trade on Easter Sunday, they must first check whether this is permitted under local council policy. Unlike Good Friday and Easter Monday, Easter Sunday is not a public holiday.

In addition, if retailers require employees to work on that day, they need to start the process early. Employees must be given at least four weeks' (but not more than eight weeks') notice of the requirement to work on Easter Sunday - and they have the right to refuse.

The EMA provides retailers and employers with clear guidance on their responsibilities over the Easter and ANZAC Day period. Find more information at Easter and ANZAC Day 2025.

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