He's concerned about the ACT Party's Easter Trading bill, which was drawn in a ballot just before Easter.

"I guess when I read about this, I groaned. I thought: 'Here we go again'. It's coming up every year, it's coming up every holiday break, but often what we're forgetting about is people and families."

CathNews has learnt that Catholic churches around the country were well attended, with many reporting a 'Standing Room Only' situation.

The bill

ACT MP Cameron Luxton's bill seeks to remove restrictions on laws surrounding trading and selling alcohol on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

As described, the current rules seem complicated, with complete bans, some exceptions and local council rules crowding the rule books.

Profits before people

Unions aren't happy with the changes the bill is proposing.

Like Lowe, First Union spokesperson Rudd Hughes is concerned about the people who will be affected by a change in law.

A law change would mean workers lose two of the three-and-a-half days they're currently guaranteed to have off. At present they get Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day and the morning of ANZAC Day off, he says.

"It's another attack by this current Government on workers" Hughes says.

"The only thing they seem to hold sacrosanct is the pursuit of profit over the welfare of people."

Positive change

A Tauranga business that normally benefits from exemptions to trade says a more uniform approach is needed across the country.

"I just think simplicity, it'd be good for traders to have the option" café owner Hamish Carter says.

Others agree and say they'd like people to have a choice about what they do.

Luxton's thinking

Luxton sees his bill as contributing to ACT's campaign against needless and costly legislation.

"My Member's Bill will remove a burden on businesses by relieving the dumb restrictions on trading on Good Friday and Easter Sunday" he says.

"It just doesn't make sense that bar staff spend much of Easter telling customers when they can drink, how long they have to drink it, how much they are required to eat, and what they have to eat.

"How about we start treating adults like adults?

"It's quite simple — if you want to trade, you can.

"That's how a free society should operate.

"The Bill also looks after workers as it retains the existing employee protections that apply in respect of Easter Sunday and extends these protections to Good Friday."

It would amend the Shop Trading Hours Act to extend employee protections currently in place on Easter Sunday, such as the right to refuse work, to Good Friday as well.

Source

• NZ Catholic Bishops Conference
• Scoop
• RNZ
• 1News

Justice Robert Dobson recently overruled the council's decision to allow Easter Sunday trading following a High Court judicial hearing last month. Continue reading

The city council voted in December to allow shops to trade on the prominent religious holiday, coinciding with the British pop star's three concerts in the city, but has since gone a step further by granting 10 special licences for pubs. Another 10 are expected to be granted.

Continue reading

The debate might have played out on predictable lines - business for and unions against - but the Sheeran factor has complicated the matter.

There are fears that a ban on Easter trading will make it hard for Dunedin to host the 65,000 extra concertgoers.

The city is already dealing with an accommodation shortage over Easter, and it has become a problem for pubs trying to get around tough Easter trading liquor restrictions.

The council's own stadium company, Dunedin Venues, warned the city might lose $7 million in extra tourist spending.

In August, the council voted to put out for consultation a draft policy that allows shops to open on Easter Sunday.

RNZ reported public opinion appeared divided, with the 180 submissions split about 45 percent for and 55 percent against Easter Sunday trading.

This week the City Council has been receiving submissions on the issue.

Union and church representatives want to keep the shops closed, saying Easter was the only Sunday of the year retail workers knew they could have family time.

The Otago Daily Times reported the chief executive of the Otago Chamber of Commerce, Dougal McGowan, coming to the hearing with a survey that included the question: "Should retail businesses be allowed to be open on Easter Sunday?"

While 62% said yes, 34% said no to the question.

In February Sheeran said he had fallen in love with New Zealand - and he was thinking about becoming a citizen.

Last week he said Wellington - not Dunedin! - was his most favourite city in the world.

Source

• RNZ
• Dunedin City Council
• ODT
• ODT
• Stuff
• Image: All Events

Hamilton City Council's suggestion was for retailers to choose whether to open while employees would be able to turn down the work.

But of 225 submitters, 71 per cent said no to the idea. Many mentioned the holiness of the day, worker rights and family time. Continue reading

The invitation to a buffet lunch last Tuesday at the Waipuna Lodge was sent out to 58 Pacific community and church leaders. Continue reading

Auckland Council's governing body voted to go to the community about whether it should allow Easter Sunday trading from next year. Continue reading

The Marlborough District Council called for public submissions on the issue after Parliament passed a bill to give local councils the power to create their own bylaws on Easter Sunday trading in August.

Many church leaders in Marlborough opposed the bylaw, but Oasis Family Church pastor Ross Banbury took a different view to his peers and supported the bylaw.

He was pleased Good Friday would remain "sacrosanct" if the bylaw went ahead, but said trading on Easter Sunday would be a boon for businesses who suffered when forced to close for two days.

They could also capitalise on the biennial Omaka Classic Fighters Airshow which drew an audience of 35,000 last year, he said.

"People want to go out and eat or shop when they're in town for the show." Continue reading

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment was notified 15 times about businesses breaking trading laws over Easter weekend - well down on the 42 complaints lodged last year, and the lowest in at least four years.

Trading restrictions on Good Friday and Easter Sunday prohibit many shops from opening.

Flouting the law can lead to a $1000 fine. Continue reading

Parliament is currently considering legislation that would allow local councils to decide whether shops stay open on Easter Sunday within their boundaries or within smaller, specific areas.

But at a meeting on Wednesday, many Wellington city councillors saw this as little more than the Government getting local councils to pass laws it did not have "the intestinal fortitude" to pass itself. Continue reading

MPs have voted 75 to 45 in favour of the bill, moving it to the Commerce Committee for consideration.

"We are disappointed that the vote in favour of sending the Shop Trading Hours Amendment Bill to Select Committee means the rights of vulnerable workers and their families to time off at Easter is under threat," said Cardinal John Dew on behalf of the Catholic Bishops of New Zealand.

"This is about ensuring that vulnerable workers can count on having time off for things that strengthen community and family life," Dew said.

"We are also deeply concerned that a dangerous precedent could be set in turning an issue that has always been a conscience vote, into a government Bill in which MPs are not free to vote according to their conscience."

"Conscience votes are an important protection for MPs and for society as a whole," Cardinal Dew said.

Dew said the NZ Catholic Bishops would be making a submission to the committee to oppose the bill.

Cardinal John Dew is the President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference.

Currently, laws stipulate most shops must close or restrict what they sell on Easter Sunday — for example, bars can only serve food (no alcohol).

The bill was put forward by Workplace Relations Minister Michael Woodhouse, who reasoned current laws were out of date.

"The historical Easter Sunday shop trading exemptions are out of date and create an unfair advantage for certain businesses and regions that can continue trading while others stay shut," he said.

"We know there is a demand from communities across the country to allow for shop trading on Easter Sunday, particularly from those districts who rely on tourism."

Good Friday, ANZAC Day and Christmas Day were not affected.

Woodhouse said the holiday is still significant for many Kiwis which is why workers will still be able to refuse to work on that day.

Source

• Supplied NZCBC
• stuff.co.nz
• Image: bradleystokejournal.co.uk

She was responding to the announcement by the Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Woodhouse that The Government will change "arbitrary" national Easter Sunday trading restrictions and put the onus on local councils to decide opening hours.

"There are a range of activities that take place at Easter because most New Zealand workers are guaranteed time off work - including church activities, but also sports tournaments, school reunions, hui, unveilings and other marae gatherings," said Hickey.

She says that once shops are open, many retail workers and others such as cleaners and security workers will end up working whether they want to or not.

"For those experiencing financial pressure, families and communities will be deprived of their presence, and our whole society will be the poorer for it," she says.

"Giving more choice to businesses takes away choice from working families and it impoverishes communities."

"We have a very long track record of submitting and commenting on proposed changes to Easter trading hours. However, there has been no consultation with Churches or unions on this proposed legislation."

Over the past 25 years there have been more than 10 attempts to make changes to Easter trading laws, each of which has been defeated as New Zealanders have consistently expressed their views on the matter.

Hickey points out that a number of National Members of Parliament have a record of voting against liberalisation of Easter trading hours in conscience votes, including the sponsor of this Bill - Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Woodhouse.

"We are concerned and disappointed that now this is introduced as a government bill, rather than a private member's bill, a number of Government MPs will be required to vote against their conscience."

Although some businesses have expressed a desire for more commercial activity at Easter, Hickey said it is the most vulnerable workers with the fewest choices who should be the focus of debate around this bill.

"Easter is one of the few times of the year when many families and communities are guaranteed important time together."

"We should be supporting that, rather than undermining it and moving further towards a consumerist lifestyle that Pope Francis has warned against. "

Source

• crispin@caritas.org.nz
• Image: campaigncentre.com.au

But, he says, "We really shouldn't complain too loudly. In New Zealand they have it much worse, if that's the word."

"I was in New Zealand on Good Friday three years ago visiting a family member, and on Good Friday no alcohol is sold, all the shops shut their doors and there are no ads on television."

"But how the advertisers and the commercial stations must wail. Think of the lost revenue. Think also of just one day in the year that is commerce-free."

"We've become such a strange, intolerant place about public manifestations of religion. We used to have Eucharistic processions down the main streets of the major towns and cities around the country. Now only some do it." Continue reading

"I don't think the law is working terribly well, but I've always voted in favour of liberalisation of trading laws when it comes to Easter weekend," Key said.

The Retailers Association has suggested that shops should be allowed to open after 1pm on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, as happens on 25 April each year.

The Catholic Church however is warning that using Anzac Day as a model for trading hours during Easter would hurt the poorest and most vulnerable.

Labour Party labour issues spokesman Andrew Little says retailers in Wanaka are reported to have traded throughout the Easter break in breach of shop trading laws following a tip-off that no action would be taken if they opened for business.

Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean told Radio New Zealand she was aware inspectors would not be visiting.

Most stayed open, taking advantage of about 100,000 visitors in town for the Warbirds over Wanaka International Air show.

Little said, "The idea that a Government department can give a nod and a wink to traders that it won't enforce shop trading laws and for a Government MP to then claim it as grounds for a review of the law is another act of third world shonkiness from National".

18 complaints were made about businesses flouting Easter trading laws this year, but none will be prosecuted. Last year there were 46.

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), the Government department responsible for administering the legislation, said as none of the businesses had received warnings or been prosecuted previously, none would be prosecuted for their defiance.

Source

• Scoop.co.nz
• New Zealand Herald
• Image: New Zealand Herald

Many people worship Jesus Christ, and practise restraint at Easter time as part of their beliefs.

Many more do not.

Christianity still has a powerful place in the culture - it underpins our ethics and our judicial system, much of our art and our language.

But when it comes to whether we can have a drink on a public holiday in the 21st century, let it be each to their own.

Don't try ordering a glass of wine at the movie theatre [on Good Friday or Easter Sunday].

You'll be turned down, like fans who strolled out of [Thursday]'s Super 15 rugby match at Westpac Stadium looking for a pint of beer.

Better not head down to the local garden centre for a bag of topsoil or a new spade, either. It'll be shut, too - at least if it's not flouting the law.

The reason for this, of course, is that Easter Sunday and Good Friday are the two holiest days on the Christian calendar.

For some practising Christians, refraining from drinking or digging up the garden has its logic. Combined, the two days represent the pinnacles of the Christian story of death and resurrection. Not a time for getting rowdy, then.

For everyone else, however, the enduring trading restrictions on "sacrosanct days" are very hard to fathom. Continue reading.

Source: Dominion Post

Image: TVNZ

FIRST Union retail secretary Maxine Gay said retailers who opened on Good Friday were being "greedy", with little regard for workers' and families' need.

"Retail workers have among the fewest rights in the country - shops are already allowed to trade 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the other 361 days of the year. I think they can handle a break 3 1/2 days a year."

The FIRST Union says shop assistants will be pressured by employers to work at Easter if the Easter holidays are done away with.

Gay said the union has numerous examples of the pressure applied to shop assistants to work hours that other people expect as leisure time.

Workers could feel pressured into complying with a retailer's desire to remain open and some union members had faced ostracism when they opted not to work.

She said the union did not oppose retailers opening for events held on public holidays that were likely to attract tourism dollars.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, the Catholic social agency says there should be no change to Easter trading laws, citing the need for retail workers to spend some time with their families.

Retail Association chief executive Mark Johnston said consumers were increasingly shopping online on Good Friday and Easter Sunday when most shops were forced to shut.

The law was outdated, Johnston said, and the association would be asking for the legislation to be amended after this year's election to keep up with the changing retail landscape.

• Listen to an interview with Lisa Beech, a spokesperson for Caritas, on Sunday Morning. In this interview the idea that Sunday trading is not simply a religious issues, but a matter of a more human way of living, is discussed

• Easter trading laws - the right balance or archaic and in need of a huge overhaul? Have your say on Easter trading on Stuff. The Shop Trading Hours Repeal Act specifies that most shops must close on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, and until 1pm on Anzac Day.

Source

• Radio New Zealand
• Stuff.co.nz
• Stuff.co.nz
• Image: News.msn.co.nz

Active monitoring of Easter trading law breaches may be scrapped in favour of giving labour inspectors more time to investigate migrant worker exploitation.

Labour Minister Simon Bridges has signalled that in the future officials may rely solely on complaints because inspection staff were needed elsewhere.

"There are some very serious issues in relation to migrant workers and exploitation in this country," he said.

"It is a question of using our resources and the labour inspectorate better."

There is support from the Employers and Manufacturers Association. EMA employment services manager David Lowe says they are getting cases of migrant workers being paid $4 or $5 an hour, which is unacceptable.

"We need to make sure that that law is upheld. And I certainly would say that that is far more important than worrying about whether a garden shop is open on Easter Sunday or not."

A garden shop chain that for years has ignored the law and opened at Easter has welcomed the Government's move to go easy on them next year.

Darren Odering's 10 garden centres are always open at Easter. Doing that has cost him nearly $200,000 in fines over the years, so he's welcoming news that the policing of Easter trading laws could be relaxed.

"Generally [it's] our Easter sale and we're very busy - a great time for planting - and we have a lot of demand from people to be open."

Family First NZ believes that the National government wants to liberalise Easter trading laws as a pay-back for the ‘Mondayisation' bill which was passed in April.

"Families throughout NZ take time out for family holidays, camps, reunions, Easter church events, cultural and recreational events over Easter weekends. Even politicians take a Parliamentary Recess during this period. Kiwis employed in the retail industry should also be able to enjoy the public holidays and extended weekend," says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.

Source

• Stuff.co.nz
• 3 News
• NewsTalkZB
• Scoop
• Image: CND.3News.co

However he wants the rules changed and he says it is a conscience vote and people need to vote that way. He believes if MPs voted on Easter trading based on what their conscience told them the bill would pass.

Dunedin Bishop Campbell believes "allowing trading on Good Friday and Eater Sunday would undermine New Zealand's Christian traditions." He thinks however that for many New Zealanders the significance of the Easter holidays "extends beyond religion."..."These holidays have become times for family and community groups to gather, hold events or rest, opportunities which are becoming increasingly rare." The New Zealand Catholic Bishops say they "strongly support" Bishop Campbell's position

The last time a vote was taken Caritas Aotearoa wrote to all Members of Parliament "urging them to vote against the extension of retail hours proposed in the two Easter Sunday trading bills."

In late 2009 a private member's bill failed by three conscience votes, 62 votes to 59, when it was introduced to Parliament.

Last October another bid to have the law changed was introduced by Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean who wanted to include Wanaka as well as Queenstown under the law. Dean has put the bill on hold while she attempts to get enough votes to get it passed.

It was the 14th time Parliament had attempted to change New Zealand's Easter trading regulations in the past 20 years.

Source
The Daily Post

Photo Credit
The Warehouse.co.nz