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Doc No: RDC-699415
Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee
9 February 2017
File No: 01-63-097-2
RDC-699415
ROTORUA LAKES COUNCIL
Mayor
Chairperson and Members
STRATEGY, POLICY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
EASTER SUNDAY SHOP TRADING POLICY – DELIBERATIONS
Report prepared by: Andrew Wilson, Senior Lead Adviser Economic Development
Report reviewed by: Jean-Paul Gaston, Group Manager Strategy and Partnerships
Report approved by: Geoff Williams, Chief Executive
1.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to provide background and analysis to support deliberations on the
proposed Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy and to recommend the proposed Easter Sunday Shop
Trading Policy for adoption.
2.
RECOMMENDATION
1.
That the report “Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy - Deliberations” be received.
2.
That the Committee recommends to Council that the proposed Easter Sunday Shop Trading
Policy (Attachment 1) is adopted.
OR
That the Committee recommends to Council that the proposed Easter Sunday Shop Trading
Policy is not adopted.
3.
BACKGROUND
The timing of this report is influenced by the desire to provide certainty to Rotorua retailers prior to
Easter Sunday 2017 (16 April) and to allow time for notification between employers and employees
regarding working on this day if the Policy is adopted.
Currently most shops in Rotorua cannot open on Easter Sunday with the exception of dairies, service
stations, pharmacies, take away bars, restaurants and cafes, garden centres, souvenirs and duty free
stores.
Although some tourist areas (such as Taupō) have had exemptions to open on Easter Sundays in the
past, Rotorua did not have an exemption.
Earlier this year, government amended the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 to allow territorial
authorities to adopt a policy to permit shops to open on Easter Sundays. Specifically, a policy can be
developed which:
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• Determines whether to allow shop trading on Easter Sunday.
• Determines whether to allow shop trading on Easter Sunday across the entire district or in certain
(limited) areas.
Easter in Rotorua
Easter in Rotorua, along with the Christmas holiday period, is a time of high visitor numbers. The
i-Site on Fenton Street, for example, has between 30%-40% more visitors on Easter weekends than
regular weekends throughout the year.
Easter brings an increased demand for food, refreshments and other products and services. Also,
visitors to Rotorua want to shop. Visitors find it difficult when important businesses and service
providers are closed down as a matter of legal requirement.
2014 Community Survey
In 2014, Council commissioned independent research carried out by Colmar Brunton to ascertain
community views about Easter trading. The findings revealed overwhelming community support for
Easter trading, with 79% of residents surveyed wanting an end to current restrictions at Easter. 18%
did not support Easter trading and 3% did not know. This compares with a national survey in 2012
where only 46% of New Zealanders supported Easter trading.
Of the 79% in support for Easter trading in Rotorua, 72% supported trading on both Good Friday and
Easter Sunday, 15% on Easter Sunday only, and 8% on Good Friday only.
Religious Beliefs
At the 2013 Census 27,210 Rotorua people (41.7% of the population) reported as having a Christian
based religious affiliation. While the survey above shows that there are some people in the Rotorua
community who believe Easter Sunday should be observed with no or only minimal commerce, the
proportion is a lot less than those with Christian beliefs.
To understand this further, Council officers met with the Rotorua church leaders group. While only
the personal views of those leaders were able to be expressed, they informed officers that they were
not opposed to businesses trading on Easter Sunday. They appreciated that Rotorua was a tourist
destination and that Easter weekend was an important one for tourism. They considered it important
that employees’ rights not to work were protected and that Good Friday and Christmas Day should
remain largely free of commerce. They also considered that the Policy should apply to the entire
Rotorua District.
4.
DISCUSSION AND OPTIONS
Under the amended Shop Trading Hours Act 1990, Council is empowered to adopt a policy that
allows shops to trade on Easter Sunday. Alternatively, Council may decide not to adopt a policy, in
which case, shops must remain closed.
The policy can also determine whether shops in the whole of the district can trade or only those in
some parts of the district (for example, only the CBD or main tourist attraction areas).
However, the policy cannot:
a)
permit shops to open only for some purposes;
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b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee
9 February 2017
permit only some types of shops to open;
specify times at which shops may or may not open;
require shops to open;
limit Council’s ability to undertake its duties under any other Act (e.g. the regulation of the sale
and supply of alcohol)
address shop employees’ rights (which are governed by the requirements of the Shop Trading
Hours Act 1990 and which allows shop employees to refuse to work on Easter Sunday)
Council is not responsible for enforcement of the Policy. Enforcement is undertaken by central
government.
Council approved the draft Easter Shop Trading Policy to go out for public consultation at the
meeting on 1 December 2016. The submission period closed 27 January 2017, with a total of 123
submissions received. Three submitters were heard at hearings on the 3 February 2017. Attached is a
copy of all submissions received (Attachment 2).
Of the 123 submissions 64.2% (79) were in support of the draft policy and 35.8% (44) were against.
In addition the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce independently surveyed its members with 86.7% (78)
of the 90 respondents supporting the adoption of the draft policy.
Analysis of the written and verbal submissions identified a number of common themes and points.
These have been summarised and grouped below under those in support or against. Supporting
commentary in bold italics where a point is potentially inaccurate has been added as appropriate.
Support
 It provides freedom of choice for businesses (can choose to open or not), and employees (can
choose to work or not), and the public (can choose to shop or not).
 As a tourism destination with a significant number of domestic and international visitors in town
over this period it will add to the city vibrancy and visitor experience.
 There will be an economic benefit due to increased trade from visitors; one submitter noted their
customer counts in previous years were up 15-25% on Easter Sunday versus the preceding and
following Sundays.
 Employees are able to choose whether they work or not and are protected by the Shop Trading
Hours Act.
 We are increasingly a multicultural and multi-religious society, so Easter Sunday does not hold the
same significance across all of our community.
 The current situation has created an un-level playing field, with other tourism centres (Taupō and
Queenstown) being able to open, and Rotorua shops losing business as a result.
Against
 Employees shouldn’t be required to work on Easter Sunday. As noted elsewhere an employee’s
right not to work is protected under the Shop Trading Hours Act.
 Regardless of the protection under the Shop Trading Hours Act, employees will be forced or
pressured to work.
 The policy should be restricted to only ‘tourism businesses’. As noted in the background section
the policy cannot permit shops to open only for some purposes or permit only some types of
shops to open.
 That Easter Sunday is the most important day in the Christian calendar so on religious grounds
shops should remain closed.
 There are only 3.5 days per year when shops cannot open; a reduction reduces family time for
retail workers, placing profit before family.
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 It doesn’t hurt to have shops closed; there are enough days available for shopping already and
other activities available for visitors.
 There is insufficient data and evidence to adopt the policy at this time.
Council has two options:
(1)
(a)
(b)
(2)
to adopt a policy and allow shops to open in the whole of the district as identified in the
Statement of Proposal; or
to adopt a policy and allow shops to open in designated areas within the district (was
not consulted on in the Statement of Proposal and is therefore not an option); or
to not adopt a policy (in which case most shops must remain closed on Easter Sunday).
Considering the number of submissions and the points raised both in support and against the draft
Policy it is recommended that the Committee recommends to Council that option 1(a) is adopted
(Attachment 1).
5.
ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
As the decisions of this report concern adoption of a Policy, they are considered significant in
accordance with the Local Government Act 2002 and the Council’s Policy on Significance.
As significant decisions, the Council must apply greater diligence with regard to the decision making
requirements of the Local Government Act 2002. This includes, but is not limited to, the degree to
which different options are identified and assessed and the extent to which community views are
considered.
In addition, the Council is required to consult publicly on the Policy in accordance with the special
consultative procedure.
6.
COMMUNITY INPUT/ENGAGEMENT AND PUBLICITY
Following approval from the committee, the Statement of Proposal on the Policy was available for
community engagement using the special consultative procedure from 19 December 2015 to 27
January 2016.
A total of 123 written submissions were received and three submitters were heard at hearings on
3 February 2017.
Adoption of the policy allows sufficient time for shops and employees to prepare as Easter Sunday in
2017 occurs on 16 April. Employees have a four week notice period to advise employers of their
refusal to work Easter Sunday. This runs from 19 February to 19 March in 2017.
7.
CONSIDERATIONS
7.1
Financial/budget considerations
Costs associated with adopting the Policy are within existing budgets. Any Policy adopted will have
minimal impact on future operating costs.
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7.2
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9 February 2017
Policy and planning implications
The proposed Policy is consistent with the Rotorua 2030 Vision particularly the goals of Vibrant City
Heart and Business Innovation and Prosperity.
7.3
Risks
There are no major risks associated with the decisions or matters
7.4
Authority
The Committee has the authority to make the resolutions included within this report.
8.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1: Proposed Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy
Attachment 2: Submissions on proposed Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy
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ATTACHMENT 1
EASTER SUNDAY SHOP TRADING POLICY
Date Adopted
Next Review
Officer Responsible
xxxxxx
5 Years after adoption
Strategy Manager
Policy Purpose
The Policy is made under the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 (the ‘Act’). The Act was amended in 2016 to
allow territorial authorities to have a policy to permit shops to open on Easter Sundays.
The Policy aims to meet demand for goods and services from visitors and residents in Rotorua during the
Easter holiday weekend.
The Policy permits shops to open for trading on Easter Sunday within the entire Rotorua district.
Interpretation
“shop” has the same meaning as in the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990, that is:
a shop is a building, place, or part of a building or place, where goods are kept, sold, or offered for
sale, by retail and includes an auction mart, and a barrow, stall, or other subdivision of a market;
but does not include(a)
a private home where the owner or occupier’s effects are being sold (by auction or
otherwise); or
(b)
a building or place where the only business carried on is that of selling by auction agricultural
products, pastoral products, and livestock, or any of them; or
(c)
a building or place where the only business carried on is that of selling goods to people who
are dealers and buy the goods to sell them again.
Policy
The Rotorua District Council will permit shop trading in the whole of the Rotorua district on Easter Sunday
as provided for by the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990.
The extent of the Rotorua district is shown on the map below.
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ATTACHMENT 1
Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee
9 February 2017
Review
The Act requires that the Policy must be reviewed no later than five years after the date on which it was
adopted. Section 5C (4) of the Shop Trading Hours Act requires the use of the Special Consultative
Procedure when undertaking a review and determining whether to amend, revoke, replace or continue the
policy.
Council cannot delegate the power to make the final decision on whether to adopt, amend or revoke the
policy.
Section 5E requires a council to provide a copy of any decision to adopt, amend or revoke a policy to the
Chief Executive of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment within 10 days of the decision
being made.
Map of Rotorua District
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ATTACHMENT 2
Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee
9 February 2017
PROPOSED EASTER SUNDAY TRADING POLICY
SUBMISSIONS
Key:
Submissions in support of proposed Easter Sunday Trading Policy
Sub
No.
1
2
Support
Policy
Y
Y
Submitter Name /
Company
Timothy Wild
Katie Hartnup
Submission
I believe that it should be the choice of the business whether or
not to trade over the Easter period.
If businesses do decide to extend their trading hours, this will
provide extra revenue for Rotorua’s tourism and closely associated
industries.
3
4
N
N
Alison McTear
Richard Marshall
I do not support the proposed Easter Sunday Trading policy as it
has been written and would like it to be amended to reflect my
comments below.
Rotorua is a strong tourism centre and as such it is vital that any
tourism business that wishes to open can do so. They should be
the only places open on Easter Sunday.
I do not support shops opening on Easter Sunday. This will be
another day that shop employees are required to work. Once this
entitlement for a holiday is removed it will never be reinstated.
What is Council proposing for Good Friday?
Councillors, before you vote on this life changing policy for our City
it needs rework, including full consultation with your community,
not just a select few.
5
N
Manita Grant
I am not religious so this holds no bearing on my decision.
There are a scarce few days of the year when people (especially
those in retail) really get to enjoy a few days off to rest and spend
it with their family and friends. Even if it was optional, the people
who would end up working those days are the ones who truly
deserve and need a couple of days off. There is something nice
about having a day off, and knowing that almost everybody is
getting to enjoy their time how they want.
It also hypes the days up! Everyone is preparing for the one day
where the shops aren't open, so there is a buzz as everyone stocks
up on food and supplies as if the world is about to end haha.
For the tourists who can't buy anything on the days that shops are
closed? Who cares? Many countries and cities shut down for
various reasons (part of their culture/history etc) - they don't
change their ways because of tourists. It doesn't hurt for people to
find ways to have some fun without spending their money.
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Sub
No.
6
Support
Policy
Y
7
Y
ATTACHMENT 2
Submitter Name /
Company
Jill Brake
Cottage Flair
Colin MacPhee
Quest Rotorua Central
Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee
9 February 2017
Submission
As an accommodation business owner the closure of retail facilities
around one of the busiest public holidays of the year, is archaic. I
support the option of choice by retailers to open or close as
deemed fit, by them.
Rotorua is on the up – let’s keep that momentum and bring the
retail trading laws up to 21st century.
8
N
Paul Armstrong
Perhaps next - licencing laws on Christmas Day and Easter too!
Some restaurants open on Christmas would be great!
New Zealand workers look forward to public holidays as family
times and a break from their busy working lives. We do not have
many days left when shops are closed and everyone can enjoy a
break and yet there is pressure to have less and less of these
special days.
Despite assurances that workers will have the choice about
whether to work or not on Easter Sunday, we all know that this is
not true and that large numbers of shop workers will be forced to
forgo this holiday and miss out on a break that they need and
deserve. I personally know people who look forward to this day as
a break from their long working hours but under the proposed
Easter Sunday trading policy would have to work and miss out on
being with their children.
This is New Zealand and we do not have to emulate other
countries or force our workers to miss a break just because visitors
want to be able to shop 365 days of the year. Losing our Easter
Sunday holiday for virtually everyone would be a backward step in
workers rights, in the needs of happy families and in the
uniqueness of our New Zealand culture.
Other district councils have voted against Easter Sunday trading
and so should the Rotorua Lakes Council.
9
10
11
Y
N
N
Roger Willard
Gwen McKinley
Anonymous
Sundays - what are they good for?
"Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life"
The 1950's. A time without TV's, phones or computers, but one
filled with long, puffy skirts. A time when the music of Elvis, Buddy
Holly and Little Richard filled the ears. For teenagers today, the
1950's sits far in the distance, and we rarely give it much
consideration. Yet as I for one, embrace a working life, through
part time employment, as many others my age do, it's a time I give
an increasing amount of thought to. Why? That's because in the
1950's, the working week consisted of five days - Monday, through
til Friday. On Friday's, the town would experience a burst of
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Sub
No.
Support
Policy
ATTACHMENT 2
Submitter Name /
Company
Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee
9 February 2017
Submission
energy, and come alive, as people filled the streets for a late night
of entertainment and shopping. On the days following, town would
simmer down, after the bubbling liveliness of the night before,
allowing everyone to experience some down time. Saturday's were
spent following horse races, going fishing, doing gardening and
attending dances, while Sunday's were for church, picnicking,
relaxing on the beach, or a quiet day at home. I can barely talk,
having only worked for just one year, compared to others who
have spent their entire lives working - I cannot begin to imagine
how amazing it would be to actually have personal time, thanks to
104 days off per year, out of 365 days. 104 days to enjoy the things
that matter, have a break from the sometimes overwhelming
complexities of life, spend time with those who matter the most,
and achieve goals. While we have four weeks of paid annual leave,
along with sick and bereavement leave, there are only 3 and a half
guaranteed days off work, although by next year, we risk that this
figure will sit at a measly 2 and a half days per year.
According to media documents, iur council and authorities are
outraged that towns with a similar tourist capacity - Queenstown
and Taupo, were granted exemptions in 1997, giving them an
"unfair advantage". Our Member of Parliament, Todd McClay has
been working on the issue since 2009, when his Bill missed out on
being passed by just 2 votes. He is now thrilled - "this is an issue
which has been impacting on Rotorua for more than 20 years. It is
economically unfair that Taupo and Queenstown can open on
Easter Sunday, but Rotorua, as one of the country's most
important tourist destinations cannot. Easter weekend is one of
the busiest weekends of the year for Rotorua, with 35, 000 tourists
filling the city and Council members and many business owners
alike think this is too good of a money making opportunity to give
up.
According to our Mayor: "Don't let family issues prevail over
common sense". So you are encouraging the people of Rotorua to
prioritise money: over time spent with family?! An anonymous
user raised the question of whether Steve and the Council will be
having to work over this weekend, or will they be lucky enough to
get to enjoy a long weekend with their family? The huge desire to
make money compromises valuable family time - something which
is already decreasing in modern times with the prevalence of
technology. Everyone knows the quote "time spent with family is
worth every second", so why is it that our valuable family time is
being sacrificed? You're tiring people out - they're losing out on the
things that really matter! "If shops are given the power to open on
Easter Sunday then that could mean a mother who works in retail
will miss her family's Sunday roast or a father who works in
hospitality will miss his daughter's netball game. That's not a
speculative emotional appeal, instead it's a reality for retail and
hospitality workers who count on the right to family time over the
Easter break. It's one of the few guaranteed days off that retail and
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Sub
No.
Support
Policy
ATTACHMENT 2
Submitter Name /
Company
Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee
9 February 2017
Submission
hospitality workers get each year" says an online user - "the
Government should feel embarrassed about placing the urge to
shop ahead of the right to a day off with family". Family time is
invaluable - you can't put a price on it and nothing in the world can
replace it. As Dr Sentamu says "when money rules, we remember
the price of things and forget the value". This entire situation
confirms the idea that consumerism rules over everything; it's
becoming an obsession and a trap, as people cannot bear the idea
of having to make it through one single Sunday without the shop's
opening. Surely the 35, 000 tourists can enjoy each others
company, or explore the natural gems and beauties of Rotorua,
rather than the "beauties" they can find in shop windows. As an
anonymous online user says, "why do we need to shop every day
of the year? Let's celebrate the 40 hour working week, with 20%
off all televisions? Commemorate Grandpa's sacrifice in the war
with another pair of skinny jeans at half price?" Many argue that
New Zealand is no longer as Christian as we once were, but are a
lot more diverse in religion. While this is true - the number of
Christians in New Zealand has decreased from 2, 082, 942 in 2006
to 1, 906, 398 in 2013), our society and laws are all based on the
Ten Commandments from the Bible, and this is what our entire
society is based on.
12
13
Y
Y
June Morrow
Mead Norton
14
15
16
N
N
Y
17
N
Roger Vant Leven
Denise Vant Leven
Valerie Janin
Le Café De Paris
A Walter
18
Y
Robert Prebble
19
N
RK & CR Ward
20
Y
Jagdev Singh Bhullar
So what will you be doing during the next Easter holiday? Will you
be lucky enough to enjoy a long weekend with your family and
spending some special times with your loved ones? Here's hoping.
All for Easter Trading. Great for our beautiful city.
I think that by not allowing businesses to open during Easter
Sunday is very hurtful to the reputation of Rotorua as a tourist
destination. I have heard lots of overseas tourists complaining
about how backwards it is for the whole city to be basically shut
down over a busy holiday weekend.
No, I think it is one of the only times retail workers get to have a
break away at home with their family and or friends.
I don't really mind whether the shops are open over Easter or not,
my support for this proposal is based on the fact that the current
rules are unfair. Some centres are allowed to trade on Sunday
while others are not and there appears to be no logic as to how
these centres that can trade are selected.
We do not support Sunday trading on Easter weekend.
If we want God's blessing on our lovely city we say NO to Sunday
trading especially on Easter weekend.
It is only one day of the year and it gives people the opportunity to
attend a Church.
Yes I do support Easter Trading Policy which big boost to Rotorua
Economy, and Good for Businesses and Visitor as well.
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Sub
No.
21
Support
Policy
Y
22
Y
ATTACHMENT 2
Submitter Name /
Company
Colin McPherson
Fraser Newman
Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee
9 February 2017
Submission
Rotorua has been disadvantaged for many years as a result of the
legislation that prohibited Easter Sunday Trading. This policy will
assist in improving the reputation of Rotorua as a tourist
destination. Yes, we are open for business.
As a business owner I support Easter Sunday trading, or at least the
right to choose.
Staff would be allowed free choice over whether they work that
day.
I personally would prefer to work and would enjoy having the
opportunity to open that day.
We live in a multicultural, multi-religious society and a tourist town
where Easter is simply not significant to many people (including
visitors). As a matter of freedom people should be allowed their
own choice on the issue.
23
24
25
Y
Y
N
Wieland (Jim) Hartwig
SG Brown Properties Ltd
Jan Gapes
26
27
Y
N
Julie Sewell
Eileen
Sheehan
28
29
N
N
30
N
31
N
32
N
33
34
N
N
35
Y
There are quite enough shopping days per year. Surely tourists can
find many other activities to do in Rotorua than shop on Easter
Sunday.
Onekawa- As making money is not the most important thing in life (and that
would be done by having Easter trading, tourists, locals etc) I do
not support Easter Sunday trading.
Natalie Osborn
Cheyenne Kennedy
Give the poor guys a holiday. If everyone else has Easter off why
can’t the shops. I’m sure everyone can go a couple days without
them open.
Jo Cotter
We only get three days a year that we can spend with our families,
don’t take this away.
Wayne Boreham
Having been in retail for 30 years, I think to keep the status quo is
the right thing to do, 3 days a year is not too much to ask for.
Robert Fairclough
Having worked in retail for 6 years I don’t think it is too much to
ask to stay closed for the extra day as we have hardly any time to
spend with family as it is, with working through the Christmas
period it is a bit of strain on family time and to make the Easter
Sunday a working day is not going to help.
Tristin Crawford
Hepita Judas Ivan Te
Rore
Margaret Herbert
Religious observations on Easter Sunday is irrelevant today by the
majority of Rotorua residents and the many visitors that come here
to see the sights and what the town has to offer. In saying that, I
do not wish to belittle the importance of the Easter message and
the important teachings of the bible. Ma te Atua tatou i Manaaki.
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Sub
No.
36
Support
Policy
N
ATTACHMENT 2
Submitter Name /
Company
Victor Storey
Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee
9 February 2017
Submission
I would like to express my objection to the proposed Easter
Trading Proposal. Currently there are only three and a half days a
year that the vast majority of residents currently get some time off
work to spend with our family’s. This proposal once again will
trample on the basic rights of our most vulnerable workers - low
income earners - and force these people to work.
Statements made that people will not be forced to work if they do
not want to is a load of rubbish. People desperate for work will
never decline a “request” to work out of fear that if they do, they
will not get rostered on in the future – this already happens.
I urge you all to take a step back and stop focusing on the all
mighty tourist dollar (which in most cases apart from minimum
wage effectively leaves the local economy) and put the rights of
LOCAL individual workers and their family’s first and decline this
proposal.
Retail workers have the right to a paid day off to be with our
families on Easter Sunday and if shops are allowed to open staff
will be bullied into working because of greedy business owners
who will have the day off themselves. As a retail worker myself my
UNION First union and I believe that we will lose the right to a paid
day off and we only get 3 days off a year where we can't be made
to work. Also as a Christian I would not work it anyway as I believe
in GOD.
37
N
Michael Allen
38
39
N
Y
Kallaway Abbott
Foodstuffs North Island Foodstuffs North Island Limited submission on Rotorua Lakes
Ltd
Council Statement of Proposal on Easter Sunday Trading under the
Shop Trading Hours Act 1990
Foodstuffs North Island Limited (Foodstuffs) is the franchisor of the
Foodstuffs Co-operatives’ brands in the North Island. Our stores
are a major employer in your Region with our 9 franchised stores
there employing approximately 490 people. Our stores in your
Region are as follows:
• Rotorua PAK’nSAVE
• Westend New World
• Ngongotaha Four Square
• Selwyn Heights Four Square
• Edmund Road Four Square
• Fordland's Four Square
• Koutu Four Square
• Te Ngae Four Square
• Western Heights Four Square
Foodstuffs supports Council’s proposal to allow shops in the whole
of the district to be open on Easter Sunday.
For its part, the majority of Foodstuffs members would welcome
the opportunity to open their stores on Easter Sunday. The current
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No.
Support
Policy
ATTACHMENT 2
Submitter Name /
Company
Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee
9 February 2017
Submission
restriction is inconvenient for the many family holiday-makers that
travel away from home to Rotorua for holidays and require
provisions for their stay. It is also inconvenient for the many
international tourists that visit at Easter time, and all our other
customers who would simply like more days to buy groceries over
the long-weekend.
We note that, if the Council were to introduce a policy allowing
Easter Sunday trading, individual retailers within the district would
be free to choose whether or not to open, retail employees would
be free to choose whether or not to work (with statutory
protections if they elect not to), and members of the public could
choose, individually, whether they wanted to shop or not. In this
sense permitting Easter Sunday trading would enable individuals to
exercise personal choices.
40
41
N
N
Jess Edkins
Adam Hodge
42
43
44
45
46
47
Y
N
Y
N
N
Y
Harvey Norman
Amy Clarke
Arthur Hamon
Chris Kiri
Sasha Rangitutia
Mandy Godo
48
49
Y
Y
Helen Maree Nathan
Carol Buckley
As a retail salesman we get barely any public holidays off in a year.
We cannot lose the 1 of the 3 we have a year. As most other public
holidays shops are still open.
Workers have right to not work.
I believe each individual retailer should be able to choose for
themselves, whether to trade on Easter Sunday or not.
I prefer the option that enables all shops in the whole district to
open if they wish.
The reason for this is that based on the principle of fairness, it
introduces choice.
That the moment, people can choose to celebrate Easter as they
wish according to their religious beliefs, including the choice not to
recognise Easter.
Business owners, shop operators and workers do not currently get
this choice, which is unfair.
This also applies to the choice that individuals and families should
have to celebrate Easter or not. To work or not. To spend time
together or not. Or to do something else - or not.
If workers feel that they disadvantaged, or are forced to work, this
is a seperate issue that relates to HR and employment - not the
choice to trade.
50
51
N
Y
Glenn Austin
Richard Evans
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Submitter Name /
Company
Barnetts Colourplus
53
Y
Murray Piesse
54
55
56
57
Y
Y
Y
Y
Stuart Burns
Andrea Thompson
Rachel Warrender
Bruce Thomasen
58
59
Y
Y
Mary Tolley
Justin Hutton
60
61
62
63
64
65
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Don Gunn
Jayden Thomasen
David Thorp
Ariki Tibble
Joann Hutton-Smith
Lynley Martin
66
67
Y
Y
Dural Lash
Martin Lester-Hinchliffe
68
69
Y
Y
Stevie Ward
Fraser Leddie
Ngai Tahu Tourism
70
71
Y
Y
Jenha White
Natasha Barber
72
Y
Prithviraj Shetty
Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee
9 February 2017
Submission
Rotorua does not need Easter Trading . I have owned Barnetts for
34 years , this has been discussed for the last 25 years .
Family time is also very important . Customers can shop on the
other 362 days a year .
Just leave Christmas Day , Good Friday and Easter Sunday so the
staff can be with their families .
I support shops having the option to trade on Easter Sunday.
We are a tourist destination like Queenstown and need to cater for
our visitors.
Also, employees have the option to work with overtime which will
benefit.
Fully support Easter trading it should be the choice of the business
operator to open or not as like any other public holiday.
Rotorua is an important tourist destination and it is essential that
business owners have the option to open if they choose.
Rotorua is a tourist town and tourists want the shops to be open.
I believe that business owners should have the choice to open or
not.
Shop owners should be given the choice to open. Not every body is
religious and not every religious person is a Christian. New
Zealand is way behind the curve on this one compared to the rest
of the western world on this one.
It's an anachronism to restrict trading in deference to what is now
a minority's religious preference.
It is vital for Rotorua in its quest to remain a preferred tourism
destination to offer visitors a consistent experience all year round.
It's great to be able to offer the opportunity to work and have
establishments open for visitors and for those who have managed
to get a long weekend away.
Rotorua especially is a destination were not only international but
domestic visitors especially love to visit Rotorua because of all the
amazing businesses and activities we have on offer. It would be
disappointing to see this taken away and to lose that buzzing
feeling our little city gets over that particular long weekend.
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Support
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Submitter Name /
Company
Wayne Mansell
74
Y
Destination Rotorua
75
76
Y
N
Kellie Thomasen
Lesley Trendall
77
Y
Greg Harford
Retail NZ
Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee
9 February 2017
Submission
We have opened our shop on Easter Sunday for the last 3 years.
We have been supported in doing this by our customers where we
have seen our customer count on the Easter Sunday remain the
same as any other Sunday or increase indicating to us that our
valued customers want to be able to shop with us when they want
to. On Easter Sunday in 2015 we saw our customer count increase
by 24.6% on the previous "normal" Sunday and by 15.2% on the
following "normal" Sunday. This indicates clearly to us that we not
only looked after our regular Rotorua customers but also attracted
visiting customers to our city to shop with us. We are only
interested in opening legally on Easter Sundays in the future. As a
good corporate citizen we want to do things legally all the time and
we also want to look after the shoppers of Rotorua.
Destination Rotorua supports the proposed Easter Trading Policy
put forward by Rotorua Lakes Council on the basis that it is an
extremely busy time for the Rotorua economy and Rotorua City
should be able to capatilise on this. It also seems unfair that some
businesses can be open and others not during this busy period. We
need to be able to give our visitors the best possible experience
when visiting Rotorua in the hope that they` will share these
positive experiences with friends and family so they in turn will
visit Rotorua.
The trading policy for Easter Sunday should also include tourism
related businesses and art, craft and produce markets. I am NOT in
favour of the general retail sector and supermarkets being open.
We do not need to turn Easter Sunday into just an ordinary trading
day for goodness sake. LET US KEEP IT SPECIAL.
Introduction
1.
Retail NZ is a trade association representing the interests of
the retail sector. We have around 4,200 members
nationwide (including many in the Rotorua Lakes district),
and our members account for around two-thirds of total
spending in New Zealand.
Submission
2.
We would like to express our support for the Rotorua Lakes
Council's proposed Easter Sunday Trading Policy, which
would allow (but not require) retail businesses within the
district to open on Easter Sunday.
Comment
3.
Permitting retailers to open their stores is a proactive policy
that will support local businesses by allowing them to trade,
if it makes sense for the individual businesses concerned. As
the Statement of Proposal has noted, there is a significant
amount of tourism in the Rotorua Lakes district (30 – 40 per
cent more visitors to the i-Site), and it is right that
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businesses should be able to choose whether or not trade.
As noted, cafes and restaurants are already technically
allowed to open on Easter Sunday, and if shops were
permitted to trade as well, then it would add to making
towns around the district a more attractive destination for
customers seeking both hospitality and retail services.
4.
There has been a longstanding issue that Rotorua shops
have been losing business to shops in Taupo, given that the
latter have long had an exemption that permits them to
open on Easter Sunday. Adopting a liberal and permissive
policy to permit trading across the Rotorua District will level
the playing field and help support local businesses.
5.
We note that the rights of shop employees to refuse to work
on Easter Sunday are explicitly protected by the Shop
Trading Hours Act 1990 (as amended). We support these
protections - and clear rules are spelt out in the legislation
around the various notifications that need to be provided by
employers and employees.
6.
We also note that individual businesses will be free to make
their own decisions about whether or not to open under the
Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 (as amended). Some will
choose not to do so, but we do not see any reason to deny
them that choice.
7.
We also note that your research suggests that a majority of
both residents (79 per cent) would appreciate the choice of
being able to shop over the Easter period, and that the
majority of retailers would prefer to be allowed to choose
whether or not to open.
Conclusion
8.
78
79
80
Y
Y
N
Pipiana Kim Whiston
Jared Scott Adams
Carla Williams
We would be happy to provide any additional information if
required. We would be grateful if you could please let us
know the outcomes of this process in due course so we can
keep our members informed.
Easter trading is not a good option for employees or shoppers and
their families.
If a business is going to open (for yet another sale) the pressure for
an employee to work is going to be there. Also if shops are having
their mega sales, it drags the shoppers in as well.
Families need this quality time together.
I think saying that it's for tourism is a crock, people will still travel
here. we have plenty of other non-shop things to do, eg. walks
and trails that are always available to do.
Let’s make families come first please.
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82
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Y
Submitter Name /
Company
Karen Mather
Jan Anderson
83
N
Gabrielle Mary Kilkelly
84
85
Y
Y
Nitin Brijwal
Phil Agent
Princes Gate Hotel
Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee
9 February 2017
Submission
I feel with all the visitors to our city and residents with the
weekend off, shops should be open. If you want to attend church
services, fine, if you want to shop, fine. We should have the choice.
I do not believe that it is necessary to shop or work in a shop on
Easter Sunday. This day should remain a Holiday for all. We have
managed very well without it being a working day in the past and I
hope that this can continue.
I make this submission in favour of Easter Trading in Rotorua
commencing Sunday 17th 2017.
In my role as General Manager of a 50-room hotel in the heart of
Rotorua, I can confirm that tourism numbers for this year are at
record levels, and forward bookings indicate very strong tourism
numbers for at least the next 3 years.
Information from Tourism New Zealand indicates that inbound
tourism bookings are also increasing for at least the next five years.
The importance of Tourism to both the New Zealand Economy, and
local regional economies is huge. Rotorua is one of the major
tourism regions in New Zealand, and there will be high numbers of
tourists in Rotorua Easter Weekend.
Rotorua Businesses will benefit by being open on Easter Sunday.
Tourism related trade to the Rotorua economy will be significant.
My hotel guests will be happy that the “Town is open” Easter
Sunday.
Many of the existing/previous exemptions for shop trading on
Easter Sunday created an unfair advantage for certain businesses
and regions.
86
87
Y
Y
Timothy Barrow
Rotorua Chamber
Commerce
of Rotorua Chamber of Commerce have surveyed our members
regarding the Easter Sunday Trading Policy.
The responses received indicate that our members support this
policy.
86.67% in favour and 13.33% against.
The survey was sent to 427 members with a total response of 90
members.
We have supporting comments from 33 of the respondents. Please
contact us if you wish to have a record of these comments.
The Chamber of Commerce support the introduction of your Easter
Sunday Trading Policy based on the responses from our members.
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Roland Parrington
Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee
9 February 2017
Submission
It's good to be invited to have a say.
At the risk of being a spoil sport, my personal position is one of
principle and respect for the One who died and rose again to save
us from our sins -. a 2,000 year old tradition that should not be
callously cast aside for the sake of a popular vote.
Easter Sunday is Resurrection Sunday and if there is no
resurrection there is no Easter.
So I'm for keeping Friday And Sunday in memory of Christ's
sacrifice for us all.
89
90
Y
Y
Mike Bannister
Joanne Rahia Keefe
91
Y
Vicki Cawte
At the end of the day, If the proposed Easter Sunday Trading Policy
foes ahead, it will be up to the shop owners if they open, in the
end this option gives them a choice to open or not
I only see this going through will be a good thing :)
I think it should be up to the shop owner and the employee about
whether they work on Easter Sunday.
I know I have been to other parts of the country during the Easter
long weekend and found it very frustrating that town was off limits
on that day.
92
93
94
95
Y
Y
Y
Y
Trudi Rika
Vanessa Price
Kelley Brake
Patricia Davis
96
Y
Robert Davis
97
98
99
100
Y
Y
Y
N
Leonie Paul
Carlton Lobo
James Barry Morley
Lee-Ann Allerby
Shops in the whole district should be free to open or not, as they
choose.
Visitors – be they NZ’s or from overseas, boost the area’s
commercial turnover in many areas and all businesses should have
the opportunity so to do.
We should all have choice in a democratic society – to shop or not
in this instance.
I support shops in the whole district being free to open or not as
they choose. The freedom of choice is the only freedom worth
having.
I fully support the right of the business to trade on Easter Sunday.
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Lynne Jones
Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee
9 February 2017
Submission
As the co-owner of a small independent business I feel that we
should have the right to open our doors for business at our own
discretion. While I have full respect for any religious occasions I
don't think they should be able to dictate on trading hours.
It is the independent businesses which define a CBD these days
and they should be encouraged to ensure continuation.
Secondly Rotorua is a major tourist destination and Easter in
particular brings a large number of visitors from Auckland, many of
whom are disappointed when nothing is open.
I find it difficult to understand why some towns are allowed to
trade but not Rotorua - it doesn't quite make sense.
Easter Sunday trading must be allowed.
102
103
N
N
Henny Walker
Brenda Henderson
104
N
Francis Carter
This is FAMILY time the shops are shut three and a half days a year
Easter should be respected.
We who work in the industry should be allowed some time out it's
not all about money, RESPECT EASTER!
1. One of the 10 commandments.
Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy.
Modern Translation: Start Sunday trading, forcing people to work,
the opposite of rest of which is expected on the Sabbath day. Allow
Off licensed premises to open on Sunday and forget the meaning
of holy, allowing drunkenness, family violence and gambling.
2. Easter is a holy day first and foremost, celebrating the
resurrection of Christ. It is probably the holiest of all Christian
celebrations. Yet our answer to this holy celebration and holiday.
Lets open shops so people can go shopping, so people won't be
inconvenienced, so people can have other people cook for them,
so they can drink liquor, so businesses can charge extra surcharges
for opening and forcing their staff to work. Remember it is not only
a Sunday but the holiest Sunday of them all.
3. The ALL MIGHTY dollar is the new idol of the modern man. A
false god, and another departure from the commandments. Thou
shalt have no other gods before me. How long has man worshiped
money?.... How long before the Apocalypse is upon us?
4. Retail and Hospitality workers already work nearly every holiday
that is on the annual calendar. ALL except Good Friday, Easter
Sunday, Christmas Day and 1/2 of ANZAC Day, every other public
holiday is open slather. Every other day in 365 days of the year you
can shop, eat, drink, gamble, buy a peach or a new pair of Jimmy
Choo shoes. These people have families also. Some of them may
actually be religious. Most of them are underpaid and overworked
already. Most of them will probably work because they need the
money. Most of them will be expected to work and will be likely
future disadvantaged if they refuse, which should be their right,
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not the right of those who stand to profit from this change in local
law.
The reason central government left it to each local government
was because it is too hard to get unanimous opinion on this matter
from the politicians.
105
N
Lisa Paget
106
107
Y
N
Rachel Doelman
Robert (Bob) Boardman
There should be NO Easter trading, and the status quo should
remain, I would prefer that more of our holidays forced businesses
to shut, but I will support the status quo so that people could
spend more valuable time with their loved ones. Isn't that the
MOST important part of life. I challenge anyone to find a more
important one.
Easter is like Christmas it is 3 days a year that people get to spend
it with family ...taking it away is unfair to religious and also
retailers
To my understanding no solid evidence has been presented that
demonstrates that the benefits of Easter Trading will outweigh the
disadvantages to the Rotorua community. There only appears to
be supposition by local politicians and business interests reported
through local media that it is desirable. I also believe that the 2014
Survey results that have been used to justify the proposal are
highly questionable. I therefore strongly oppose the current
Rotorua Lakes Council (RLC) proposal for Easter Trading and urge
members of the Council to defer any decision at least until there is
a solid case. This is particularly so seeing that the stated intent is to
not review the decision for five years.
My specific arguments for deferring Easter Trading are explained
below
1. No evidence has been presented that shows that Easter Trading
will provide overall benefit to the wider Rotorua community. The
2014 Survey may give the appearance of a democratic process but
as any person who has done 101 Political Studies will know, for
democracy to work people need to be informed. Where is the
informed debate? There appears to be no independent costbenefit research that I can find or am aware of that demonstrates
that Easter Trading will provide overall benefit (financial or social)
to the wider community. All I can see is well-worn neoliberal
ideology being disseminated in local media without much
journalistic debate to feed the out-dated presumption that what is
good for business interests will trickle down to the wider
community. It is in fact my understanding and belief that the likely
disruption caused by Easter Trading to what currently is a public
holiday will be very damaging to families and the community.
There is a large and growing body of evidence that shows that the
sort of economic thinking that appears to be driving this Statement
of Proposal has been hugely detrimental to the mental health of
individuals, is highly destructive to families and relationships, and
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is effectively making our society sick and unequal.
2. The 2014 Colmar-Brunton Survey does NOT make a good case
for Easter Trading. Although the Survey reported that 79% of
residents wanted to amend restrictions on Easter Trading, as
someone who has studied university level statistics I am well
aware that survey results can be misrepresentative based on the
way questions are asked and whether the participants are
adequately informed. The results can also in fact be quite wrong,
as we recently saw in polls leading up to the US election. However,
even if we accept the 2014 Survey results, it can actually be argued
that some of the results substantially weaken the case for Easter
Trading. Rotorua residents were asked "What are they likely to do
if there was Trading over Easter". 71% said "Eat out at a café or
restaurant", 63% said "Go Shopping", 50% said "Visit a garden
centre", 35% said "go to bar or pub". However, the Statement of
Proposal says on the first page that most of these are already
available. Dairies, service stations, take-away bars, restaurants and
cafes, garden centres and duty free stores are all already open on
Easter Sunday.
If we then also consider the Statement of Proposal's argument for
Easter Trading based on Rotorua having 30-40% more visitor
numbers at Easter, it is highly debatable that this also justifies
Easter Trading considering that the service stations, bars, cafes,
and duty free stores that cater to these visitors are in fact already
open. Ultimately, when I read the Statement of Proposal and 2014
Survey in tandem the logic appears confusing. I am left wondering
who Easter Trading is seeking to benefit. Is it residents or is it shop
owners? If it is shop owners, then which shop owners and what is
the wider overall benefit to Rotorua?
3. Easter Trading undermines the very philosophical foundations of
our own prosperity. There are values and understandings that
underpin the workings of a healthy society and economy.
Christianity is, at the very least, a major component in the
development of Western Civilization with its modern science that
has brought wealth and freedom. This civilization includes New
Zealand society and to a large extent, world civilization. To quote
part of the introduction to the National Geographic’s recent book
“Jesus and the Origins of Christianity” (2016):
“Throughout the great upheavals of the past 2000 years, the
Christian ideal has served as a moral compass, even though its
precepts were often abandoned in practice. As such, the Christian
faith has always been a cornerstone of civilization. It inspired not
only the great cathedrals of Europe and magnificent works of art
and music but also the development of laws, ethics, schools,
universities, libraries and hospitals with which Europe slowly
emerged from its Dark Ages.” (page 5)
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Christian beliefs and values are generally highly co-related with
nations that have developed high levels of economic prosperity
and human rights, including our own. It is also reasonably well
accepted that the rise of middle class prosperity and egalitarian
values from the Industrial Revolution came about significantly due
to the influence of Christian values (eg. through people like Lord
Shaftsbury).
The point is that Christianity has been, and arguably still is,
foundational to our society. However, without Easter there is no
Christianity. Easter is the central holiday (holy day) in Christianity
because it celebrates the central events that underpin the
philosophical framework - the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Easter Sunday in particular is the holy day that celebrates the
resurrection of Christ, which if we consider its impact, whether we
believe or not, is by far the most important and amazing event in
human history! Therefore, when we commercialise this day so a
few business interests can make a few more dollars to arguably
benefit the wealthy, then I believe we are undermining (failing to
value, respect and uphold) the very foundations of our own
prosperity.
4. Christianity is part of our proud New Zealand heritage. There are
other extremely important values besides straight money values.
As a New Zealander having Maori grandchildren I am very proud of
our great Polynesian navigators, Maori warrior society and the
beauty of Te Reo. However, as a European New Zealander I am
even more proud my European roots, which includes Christianity.
The Europeans were also great navigators and our modern science
that came out of the Enlightenment laid the grounds for
democracy and put humans on the moon. This science began with
people like Isaac Newton and John Locke who were Christians and
believed that it was right to study Creation (unlike the Greeks).
European Christian values ultimately led to the welfare state and
trade unions, our public education and medical systems, our legal
systems and the abolition of slavery, etc, At a time when Western
culture and its achievements are under attack from religious and
economic extremes I think it is doubly important to remember who
we are and be damn proud of it. If we denigrate our roots then we
denigrate ourselves and risk not being able to defend what we
have gained. For me, to be a Christian New Zealander is to stand
against poverty, inequality and the forces that seek to destroy our
world environment. For me, to be like Christ is not to give into the
zealots, racists and jihadis of any faith (including so-called
‘Christians’).
On the basis of these strong arguments I urge the Rotorua Lakes
Council not to sell out the wider wellbeing of our community for
the sake of cheap economic expediency that will arguably only
trickle up to the few. I submit that this is in fact a substantial issue
and there needs to be a much more informed debate backed by
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108
N
Amanda Aldridge
109
110
111
Y
Y
N
Margaret Barnett
Leonard Barnett
Shelley Butler
112
113
114
Y
Y
N
Melanie Short
Marie Donna Walsh
Sharlene A Harper
115
Y
Ryan Gray
Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee
9 February 2017
Submission
some solid research as to the real costs and benefits of Easter
Trading. Without this I submit that the process cannot be
considered good democracy. If at the end of a fair process the
reasonable decision is to allow Easter Trading, then democracy will
have been done. Thank you.
It's unnecessary for shops to be open on Easter Sunday, it simply
makes it harder for shops to organise days off in lieu, and to pay
the amount required to work on a public holiday. We all like our
long weekends, so don't go giving them away for some people.
Please close the shops on Easter Sunday. It is not going to kill
anyone if there is a day in the year where they can't shop. I would
love to see the employees have a nice day off to spend with their
families which is much more important.
I do not support the proposed Easter Sunday Trading Policy as I
believe Easter Sunday should remain part of the Christian Easter
celebration which should not allow any trading on that day. I
believe even most people working in the retail sector do not wish
to have shops opening on that public holiday. Families are more
important than having the shops open for more unnecessary
consumerism. The shops are open on Saturday and can and does
cater for those that need to shop on that day, therefore there is no
need to have the shops open on a traditional holiday that is Easter
Sunday.
The tradition of Easter should still be acknowledged for the many
Christians who celebrate this important event which is and has
always will be the most important part of their Christian life.
Therefore once again this tradition needs to be upheld and no
Easter Trading should ever occur on that day.
Christians believe that Jesus Christ was resurrected on Easter
Sunday, I say it’s now time for Rotorua business to be resurrected
on Easter Sunday.
All though it is unfortunate that central government were unable
to make a decision themselves and instead forced additional costs
on to Local Council's to make the decision, it is fantastic that
Rotorua finally has the chance to trade on one of it's busiest
weekends of the year.
I 100% support Rotorua businesses having the choice to be open
for business on Easter Sunday throughout the entire Rotorua
district.
116
Y
Josephine Gracie
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Michael Byrne
118
N
Angela Wells
119
Y
John Gall
120
N
N McCready
Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee
9 February 2017
Submission
For any independent business trading in the CBD, opening on
Easter Sunday is imperative.
First, Rotorua is a tourist destination and Easter brings many
visitors from out of town – especially from Auckland.
Second, most if not all employer employee relationships are today
defined by individual contract(s). This means that fairness in the
workplace is an agreed upon thing between parties. Beyond that
the law provides for employees to decline if they choose not to
work – without fear or favour from employers.
Finally, religious holidays can be observed without imposing a ban
on trading. Easter is a four day holiday so Sunday sees many
peop0le in the CBD with little to do.
Visitors are disappointed when businesses are closed as a matter
of legal requirement.
Most of all perhaps, neither central government nor religious
convention should determine how business is done. Small,
independent businesses trading in the CBD are Rotorua’s point of
difference from everywhere else. They should be assisted,
encouraged and celebrated.
Over the last two years Rotorua’s socio-economic development
has grown to the point of bucking the national trend. Rotorua is
doing well but for this to be sustainable growth, Easter Sunday
Trading must be permitted.
When places have been closed when I've travelled overseas, I've
always found plenty to do instead of the activity that is closed.
I think that the social cost to the community at large of staying
open exceeds the economic benefit.
Many people don't have a choice as to whether or not to work. An
easy, not at all isolated, example to give is a Rotorua retailer with
about eight staff who didn't allow staff any leave in December
except on 25 December when the shop was closed. One of the
staff I spoke to has five children. It was difficult to plane an
appropriate day on 25 December (non religious) or have quality
time.
- communities, families and relationships are strengthened, having
a day when everyone can spend time together, without
deferments.
There are only 3.5 days out of 365 that retail is restricted.
I am sure that it will be better for visitors to Rotorua if the shops
are open over Easter.
The policy if adopted would reduce the amount of “Family Time”
that is available to parents who work in the retail trade.
Also on religious grounds the shops should remain closed.
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Ben Sandford
Labour Candidate for
Rotorua
122
N
Val Kempton
123
Y
Sandra Marcus-Tinker
Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee
9 February 2017
Submission
I believe that the Rotorua Lakes Council should adopt a policy that
will allow all shops to open for the whole district.
It has for a long time been a point of contention in Rotorua that
shops are not able to open on Easter Sunday, and yet in other
cities such as Taupo they are. This has had a particularly adverse
effect on our locally owned shops that already have to compete
day in and day out with larger national retailers and then on
Easter, are not even allowed to open.
The change in legislation now allows the Council to take the step to
allow Sunday trading which in my view is a good step forward.
Easter trading as is shown by the Councils research is supported by
a large majority of people in Rotorua, and will give our local
business the opportunity to take advantage of the busy Easter
break. By giving shops the option to open I believe the Council
would be acting in the best interests of the local economy and I
fully support this.
I look forward to buying extra Easter eggs on Easter Sunday.
Oppose Easter Sunday trading on grounds of tradition and cultural
identity.
Oppose different concessions to Taupo and Queenstown.
Therefore Rotorua Council should lobby to have those other
concessions rescinded.
It is essential for Rotorua to have Easter Sunday trading for both
tourists and locals. Taupo and Queenstown have had it for years
and we are just as much a tourist destination. Shops that wish to
remain closed are entitled to and people who choose not to work
due to religious or family belief are entitled not to as well. There
are enough people to work on these days and there are most
certainly unemployed people who I am sure would love to be able
to earn a few dollars.
People should be able to shop if they choose to. I have been
waiting for this to happen for years!