Easter trading laws create confusion

Easter trading laws are confusing and the Government needs to "step up" and address the problem, an Auckland business advocate says.

"This weekend there has been more confusion and frustration than ever before around Easter trading laws. It can't go on any longer," said Newmarket Business Association chief executive Cameron Brewer, who is lobbying this year for changes to the law.

Mr Brewer said "confusion reigned high" as Wanaka and Rotorua retailers were banned from trading while Queenstown and Taupo were not.

There was also confusion around licensed premises, cafes, gardening and hardware stores, he said.

"Cafes can open if they have ready-to-eat food, but what is ready-to-eat food? More and more hardware stores, most of which have big gardening departments, are opening and facing $1000 fines, even though gardening shops can legally open on Easter Sunday."

Mr Brewer said the legislation surrounding Easter trading - the Shop Trading Hours Repeal Act, the Holidays Act, and the Sale of Liquor Act - all "seems to run at cross-purposes".

"It needs to be updated, given the changing expectations of the public, and changing circumstances of places like Wanaka."

Confusion over the rules saw at least two large farmers' markets, Hamilton and Invercargill, close today after warnings from the Department of Labour, Farmers' Market New Zealand chairman Chris Fortune said.

"I think the only people who are confused are those sitting in the Department of Labour office," he said.

"They've told Hamilton Farmers' Market they can't trade and yet the information that we have is that farmers' markets can trade."

Mr Fortune said the markets were allowed to trade based on "the department's very own regulations and rules".

"If they can't understand their own rules and regulations how do they expect consumers and food produces to understand them."

Labour department communications advisor Colin Patterson said farmers markets were subject to the Shop Trading Hours Repeal Act, but there were some exceptions.

Shops, or market stalls, associated with an exhibition or show were legally allowed to trade, he said.

"It very much depends on the circumstances, the law is fairly clear on this issue."

Farmers' markets, and stalls within the markets, that traded today did not necessarily break the law, he said.

"Each circumstance is different but they would have to accept the consequences of doing it."

- NZPA