Should shops be open on Easter Sunday?
Tauranga is shaping up for a hot debate on whether shops should be allowed to open on Easter Sunday.
The issue has been thrust into contention by city councillors agreeing to embark on a public process that will culminate in a decision by mid-December.
A special workshop of the council's economic development committee this week laid the groundwork for change through a new policy on Easter Sunday trading.
"We are keen to get the community's feelings on this issue. It will be hotly debated with strong views on both sides," workshop chairman and councillor Kelvin Clout said.
He pointed to the results from the council's snapshot public opinion survey which included a question on Easter Sunday shopping.
Fifty per cent of the 4566 responses so far supported full and unrestricted opening, 35 per cent supported shops continuing to remain closed, and 15 per cent wanted trading restricted to specific areas of Tauranga.
Public consultation on the draft policy would coincide with the council running a scientific public survey on the options.
Mr Clout said the option of Easter Sunday trading in specific zones was fraught with difficulties and had not been supported by the three councils neighbouring the Western Bay who had voted for change.
He stressed that shops would remain closed on Good Friday under the Shop Trading Hours Amendment Act that allowed councils to develop their own Easter Sunday trading policies.
Mr Clout said the starting proposition for the policy that went out for submissions was that Easter trading on Sundays would be allowed city-wide.
He said arguments for the status quo would not be confined to the religious importance of Easter Sunday. There were the rights of shop staff to have the day off.
Mount Mainstreet chairwoman Jane Debenham said she was very much in favour of opening on Easter Sunday. Tourism was booming and people's views had changed.
"They expect town centres to be open."
Mrs Debenham believed the majority of people would support change, leaving the rest with the choice of not going out to shop.
If it was a beautiful day, the cafes would be humming.
"People will come - browsing and shopping are their relaxation."
Tauranga Ministers Association chairman Brian Cochran said opinions on Easter Sunday trading would vary between churches but he guessed that anyone who objected would be looking at the importance of family, rest and refreshment.
His personal opinion was that it was about rest, relaxation and finding space for family and God. These needed to be taken into account when the economic benefits of trading on Easter Sunday were being considered.
"It is not all about making money, it is not always about providing services. It is about family and looking after yourself, both physically and spiritually."
Mr Cochran is the pastor of the Otumoetai Baptist Church.
Western Bay District Mayor Garry Webber said logic suggested that Tauranga and Western Bay councils should have a common policy. They would be discussing that with Tauranga with a view to starting their process later this year.
What are other councils doing?
Auckland City: Going through the process of setting policy
Hamilton City: Rejected setting policy on Easter Sunday trading
Waipa District: Going through the process of setting policy
Thames-Coromandel: Allowed Easter Sunday trading across whole district
Rotorua Lakes: Allowed Easter Sunday trading across whole district
Waikato: Allowed Easter Sunday trading across whole district
Timetable for Tauranga's Easter Sunday trading policy
September 18: Draft policy to economic development committee
September 22 to October 22: Public consultation
November 21 or 23: Hearings, deliberations and decision
December 19: Final policy to council for adoption (if required)
January 1: Policy takes effect