NZ MPs egged on to repeal Easter trading bill
Calls for rule currently managed by local councils to be nationalised
Hospitality New Zealand (HNZ) is calling for MPs across Parliament to send ACT MP, Chris Baillie’s Member’s Bill on repealing Easter trading restrictions to a select committee so hospitality businesses can have their say on whether to stay open or not.
HNZ Chief Executive Officer, Julie White said the issue was “a very important one” for hospitality businesses across New Zealand.
“It’s important they get to debate the merits of the bill in select committee, alongside members of the public.
“Easter trading rules are currently delegated to local councils, but this leaves a patchwork of different rules across the country, which creates a lot of confusion for operators and the public.
“Dealing with this issue at a national level would remove confusion and division as some areas get to trade while others don’t.”
Ms White said the Easter weekend presents one of the highest demand travel periods in the calendar, and removing this confusion for both domestic and international tourists also helps the tourism sector’s recovery.
“In our view, the Easter trading debate is a simple one – it’s about enabling hospitality businesses to choose if they wish to open or not.
“After the past two years of economic devastation across our industry, it’s important businesses have the choice to open if they can and if they want to.”
Mike Parker-Brown is a UK-trained and qualified journalist and an award-winning travel communicator with more than 30 years experience.
Since 2002, Mike has worked as a freelance writer and PR consultant providing his services to major organisations in Australia and internationally in the tourism, aviation, hospitality, recruitment and export marketing sectors.
