Easter Sunday trading rules approved
All shops across Queenstown Lakes can continue trade on Easter Sunday.
Queenstown Lakes District Council changed the rules in 2017 to allow trading on the holiday, but the policy had expired. Councillors approved a new 2025 version on Thursday.
This exemption is only applicable to Easter Sunday and does not include Good Friday nor Easter Monday.
In recent years, both of Wānaka’s New World stores have breached the Easter trading rules and remained open on Good Friday, both being fined $750 for the 2023 breach.
Easter Sunday is a restricted trading day under the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 which requires shops to remain closed, except for certain shops under certain conditions. These include dairies, cafes, service stations, garden centres, pharmacies, souvenir and duty-free shops.
In 2016, amendments to the Act enabled councils to adopt policies to permit all shops to open on Easter Sunday in the whole or a part of their district.
However, there are no alcohol sales allowed.
And employees have the right to choose not to work on Easter Sunday. The Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 lists responsibilities for both employers and employees for Easter Sunday.
