There are 3 ½ days when almost all shops are required to be closed under the Shop Trading Hours Act Repeal Act 1990.
These days are:
Christmas Day
Good Friday
Easter Sunday; and
Anzac Day, until 1.00 pm
A limited number of shops can open on restricted trading days. Click here to see a table which outlines what shops can open provided they meet certain conditions. Click here to view area exemptions.
These conditions are; shops such as dairies and services stations may open provided they are only selling food, drink, household items, personal items, petrol, oil, car parts and accessories. The goods for sale need to be items that people can't put off buying until the next day, such as baby formula or pet food. The quantity of goods for sale is no more than needed to meet the needs of people in the area.
Shops, such as takeaway bars, restaurants and cafes may also open provided they only sell prepared or cooked food ready to be eaten immediately in the form in which it is sold.
A shop providing services, rather than selling goods, such as a video rental store or a hairdresser may open as long as they only provide a service, such as renting videos or cutting hair and don't sell any goods, such as videos, or hair products.
There are other shops which may also open on restricted trading days, these are duty free stores, pharmacies, garden centres (only on Easter Sunday), shops selling only souvenirs and shops at any public transport terminal or station (selling books, magazines and newspapers, or duty free item/souvenirs, or food that has been cooked/prepared and is ready to be eaten). Shops in premises where an exhibition or show is taking place (including markets, craft shows and stalls) may also open provided certain criteria are met.
Some areas (generally tourist resorts such as Taupo and Queenstown) are covered by exemptions to the trading restrictions.
For further information on shop trading hours download the factsheet.
If you need assistance to determine if you can open contact the Department on 0800 20 90 20, or write to us at PO Box 105 183 Auckland Central 1030, or contact us by email.
Find out about what an employee’s entitlements are for Christmas Day, Good Friday and ANZAC Day
Find out about an employee’s entitlement to Easter Sunday.
