Napier council asked to think again on Easter Sunday trading

Napier is one of only two places in Hawke's Bay which gives retailers the option to open on Easter Sunday. PHOTO/FILE

Napier City Council has been asked to reconsider a policy which allows Napier shops to open on Easter Sunday.

In February councillors voted 6-5 to adopt the Local Easter Trading Policy, which means retailers can choose to open on that day.

Changes to the Shop Trading Hours Act gave local councils the option to adopt the policy. Former legislation stated shops had to be closed on Easter Sunday unless exempt.

Before its decision council consulted on whether to allow Easter Sunday trading, but a petition delivered to their meeting last week suggests this consultation did not give "key stakeholders" the opportunity to weigh in.

On behalf of the Napier church community, former Napier City councillor Robin Gwynn delivered the petition requesting February's decision be reconsidered and a new hearing be held before the end of November.

He said the initial process had not been one of "fairness and equity".

"Council chose to rush into making a quick decision unlike most other councils which took a more measured approach," he said.

"Specifically for Easter Sunday the foundation key stakeholder is, was, always has been , the church. Council never informed Napier's churches of its plans let alone invited them to make submissions."

He later said council advertised for submissions in the third week of advent, but churches could not deal with the matter as "the fortnight before Christmas is the busiest time of the entire year for almost all churches, ministers usually go on holiday on the 26th of December, parish offices close until mid January."

He was joined at Wednesday's meeting by First Union Hawke's Bay organiser Mike McNab, who said based on discussions with Napier retail workers, the union felt the process had been "flawed" and "unfair".

"Retail workers here would really like to have this consultation opened up again so they could have fair say. They have very few days off in a year and this has been taken from them."

He and Mr Gwynn took issue that the unions had not been advised about the process. Napier Mayor Bill Dalton said the council had a record of emailing the union, but Mr McNab said this had not been received by any of its offices.

Moving any hearing date however was mooted, as councillor Maxine Boag pointed out that council staff were currently very busy, with their workload added to by having to move from their current earthquake-prone premises.

The only councils in Hawke's Bay to allow Easter Sunday Trading are Napier and Wairoa.
Hastings and Central Hawke's Bay district councils both resolved to remain with the status quo.