Easter Sunday Trading Policy

Easter Sunday. Shops open… or not?

By law, most shops across New Zealand stay closed on Easter Sunday. Dairies, petrol stations, pharmacies, and cafés or restaurants are exceptions.
Local councils, including ours, can give shops the choice to open - and workers can always say no to work that day.

We think this policy still meets the needs of our community, so we’re not proposing any changes - we want to hear if you agree or disagree with this approach.

It's your call.

Should shops keep the option to open on Easter Sunday, or should they have to close?

Easter Sunday Trading Policy feedback form

Privacy statement: Please be aware that feedback made to Council is public information. Feedback will be used and reproduced for purposes such as reports to Elected Members, which are made available to the public. Submitters will be able to access a summary of submissions and deliberations to understand how feedback has been considered and how decisions were reached.

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Name

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Phone

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Town

Matamata

Morrinsville

Te Aroha

Other

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Other town

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If you would like to speak to your submission, Council will contact you after consultation closes to confirm the hearing date (expected 12/13 May 2026) and schedule a speaking time. In-person and online options will be available and accessibility support can be arranged if needed.

Would you like to speak to the Mayor and Councillors about your feedback?

Yes - I would like to speak to my submission

No - I do not wish to speak to my submission

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Which of these options do you support?

Option 1: Adopt the draft Local Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy 2026 as proposed to the community (this is Council’s preferred option). The Policy would be amended as proposed to reflect minor amendments and businesses would continue to choose whether or not to open on Easter Sunday.

Option 2: Amend the Policy to apply to only parts of the district. Easter Sunday trading would be permitted only in specific areas (these would need to be determined).

Option 3: Revoke the current Policy. The district would revert to the default position under the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990, which prohibits shops from opening on Easter Sunday unless they fall under specific statutory exemptions (e.g. dairies, service stations, pharmacies, garden centres).

Option 4: Other. You may like to suggest a different option. Tell us waht you think would work best.

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Additional comments to support the option chosen above

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Is there anything else you'd like us to consider as part of this Policy review?

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