Angry MP left out of shop-hours talks

Tauranga MP Bob Clarkson has launched a scathing attack on his local council for not consulting him in discussions on legislation promoting Easter trading.

The National MP yesterday called the Tauranga City Council "arrogant and stupid" for not inviting him to a meeting to discuss a Labour member's bill seeking to allow shops to open on Easter Sunday.

Rotorua MP Steve Chadwick drafted the bill which, if passed, would give local authorities power to decide whether shops in their area opened.

The bill is one of two seeking changes to the law banning Easter trading in most centres. The other has been put forward by National's Otago MP Jacqui Dean.

Mr Clarkson has joined Ms Dean to promote her bill, which would permit shops in Wanaka and Tauranga to open on Good Friday and Easter Sunday between 10am to 5pm.

He said the Tauranga City Council had a responsibility to involve him in discussions held on Ms Chadwick's bill this week because, as MP, he knew what was happening in Parliament.

"Why are the Tauranga council being so arrogant not to invite the local MP along?" he said.

Mr Clarkson objects to council involvement in decisions on Easter trading, saying the consultation required if Ms Chadwick's bill became law would cost Tauranga ratepayers $20,000 to $40,000.

He said local business owners had already indicated to him their desire to open on Easter Sunday.

Although Ms Dean's bill seeks trading on Good Friday, Mr Clarkson said he was flexible on that and would discuss the matter with her further.

The Tauranga council, meanwhile, has resolved to make a submission supporting Ms Chadwick's bill. It has already done so in relation to Ms Dean's bill.

Deputy mayor David Stewart said the council decided to support both bills because it was eager for anomalies in the law to be resolved.

He said the council wanted involvement, and the cost of consultation if Ms Chadwick's bill became law would not be huge.

"At the end of the day it's likely to get a better result."

He said Mr Clarkson could make his own submissions.

"The onus is also on the MP to let people know their feelings."

Submissions on both bills close on July 28, when they will be considered by Parliament's commerce select committee.

Ms Chadwick's bill passed its first reading last month by 80 to 38 votes.

Easter hours

A Labour bill would give local authorities the power to decide whether shops in their area opened.

A National bill would allow shops in Wanaka and Tauranga to open on Good Friday and Easter Sunday from 10amto 5pm.