Regional breakdown of shops found to be open on Good Friday and Easter Sunday
Media Statement
10 April 2012
The Department of Labour visited 64 shops around the country over the Easter weekend.
Visits were carried out on the basis of complaints received, those warned or prosecuted last year, and those overtly advertising that they would open.
Of the 64 shops visited by Labour Inspectors, 41 were found to be open in breach of the Shop Trading Hours Act Repeal Act 1990.
Regional figures are broken down below:
| Good Friday | ||
|---|---|---|
| Auckland | 23 visits | 11 open |
| Wellington | 3 visits | 1 open |
| Hamilton | 2 visits | 2 open |
| Palmerston North | 1 visit | 1 open |
| Christchurch | 6 visits | 5 open |
| Napier | 2 visits | 2 open |
| Bay of Plenty | 1 visit | Not open |
| Easter Sunday | ||
|---|---|---|
| Auckland | 14 visits | 10 open |
| Wellington | 3 visits | 1 open |
| Hamilton | 2 visits | 2 open |
| Palmerston North | Nil | |
| Christchurch | Nil | |
| Napier | 4 visits | 4 open |
| Bay of Plenty | 3 visits | 2 open |
The act specifies which shops must close on Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and until 1pm on ANZAC Day.
If a shop does not fall into one of the exemptions under the Act – then it is an offence to open and trade during these days. The owner or the occupier of the shop may be prosecuted and fined.
There has not been a mechanism to apply for an exemption since the Shop Trading Hours Commission was abolished by Parliament in 1990. Any exemptions already in existence have continued.
Businesses where complaints are received after the restricted days will receive a warning letter and will most likely be visited next year.
ENDS
Notes to Editor
- Links to previously released media statements on Easter Trading for 2012 can be found on our website, here and here.
- Information on Shop Trading legislation and the exemptions are available on the Department’s website.
- A list of exemptions already in place can be found on our website
