Editorial: How long will we be shut out at Easter?

All the shops were closed over Easter.

Another Easter holiday has come and gone and the shambles that are New Zealand's Easter trading laws remain in place - as do the bewildered looks on the faces of tourists who visit Rotorua over the busy weekend.

For locals who ran out of time to stock the supplies last week it was a mad rush to join the throngs at the city's supermarkets on Saturday - what mayhem that was!

And what a good look it is for one of the country's premier tourist destinations when the streets are deserted on Friday and Sunday with all the shops closed.

Woe betide those who want a quiet beer with friends at their favourite cafe that's not allowed to sell alcohol because they don't serve "full meals".

The few businesses that do flout the law, traditionally local garden centres, don't seem to have a problem getting staff in and balancing the books. It also seems the powers that be turn a blind eye to their Easter activities.

Don't get me started about those nasty "surcharges" either, suffice to say if you can't spread those costs out over the trading year then maybe you shouldn't be open at all.

Every year we speak to our local MP who promises to get something done about it.

Taupo and Queenstown enjoy relaxed Easter Trading laws - why can't we?

The last two Easters a joint effort between Todd McClay and mayor Steve Chadwick was supposed to get some changes made.

Sadly, we get the same old response, "we're trying", but still nothing.

Surely this situation is all about choice?

If a business sees value in opening over Easter then why stop them? If their staff want to work, let them, if they don't, let them have the choice.

But if I want a beer with my cafe quiche on a sunny day off, Lord knows I'm going to be denied such a simple pleasure.