NZ Hospitality sector welcomes Easter trading restriction changes
New rules around licenced premises, including hotels, clears confusion and makes trading easier, says Hospitality NZ
Hospitality New Zealand (Hospitality NZ) said it was thrilled with recent legislative changes which remove confusion around trading restrictions for a number of New Zealand public holidays, just in time for Easter.
The Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Sales on Anzac Day Morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas Day) Amendment Bill, which clarifies trading and service restrictions across the four restricted trading days in the calendar year, passed its third reading on April 1, 2026.
The latest print edition of AccomNews is out now. Read it HERE
The bill received Royal Assent on Thursday, April 2, which means the new rules are in place for Easter trading.
Related AccomNews article: Shaping the future of hospitality: Industry leaders meet Government at Hospitality Summit
These rules represent a significant change in how hospitality venues have been required to operate across Easter weekend, most notably the requirement to only serve drinks with a meal.
Kristy Phillips, Hospitality NZ’s Chief Executive, says that the new rules mean hospitality venues will be ready to operate and welcome guests as they would any other weekend of the year.
“Until now, the Easter Holiday Weekend has consisted of four days of trade, each with a completely different set of rules as to how hospitality can trade.
“This new bill removes confusion for our operators and their guests by removing operational restrictions put in place by a dated piece of legislation. Operators can now trade if they wish to do so.
“With Easter this weekend, many members of the public won’t be aware that venues can now operate as normal. We encourage people to go and enjoy your local venue or make the most of the hospitality on offer if travelling across the motu this weekend.
“Hospitality NZ, which has long advocated for the relaxation of restricted trading days, is delighted with this rule change, and our members are looking forward to welcoming guests to their venues as they would any other weekend of the year.
“We thank Hon. Kieran McAnulty for putting the bill forward, and to MPs who have supported this bill through Parliament, introducing a meaningful change to how hospitality businesses operate across these days.”
