Opinion: Changing outdated law huge step forward

Todd McClay. Photo/File

For almost 30 years, Rotorua people have had to fight to be on a level playing field with other popular tourist spots, but that is all changing.

Outdated trading laws meant Rotorua shops had to remain shut on Easter Sunday whilst Taupo had the choice to open, but last week we were able to take a huge step forward and potentially give the people of Rotorua choice for their Easter weekends.

The Shop Trading Hours Amendment Bill was passed by 62 votes to 59, meaning it is now up to the Rotorua Lakes Council to decide whether locals can choose for themselves whether they want to open over Easter Weekend.

I am immensely proud of this step forward as it is something that Rotorua MPs have been working towards for years, plus the bill which was passed, is largely modelled on a Private Member's Bill which I introduced in 2009 and was narrowly defeated.

I made a commitment in 2008 to continue to work on a fairer deal for Rotorua over Easter weekend and had to build support. That hard work paid off and I am grateful to every MP who has backed Rotorua and our tourism industry in Parliament.

The original law was so outdated and treated Rotorua unfairly, allowing other tourist centres including Taupo and Queenstown to open over Easter weekend while our retailers had to close.

Tourism is a big employer locally. It adds millions to our local economy and Easter weekend is one of our busiest visitor weekends of the year.

The previous law was not only confusing to businesses but to tourists as well. These are people that have come here to spend money and have a good time, but over Easter weekend they were only allowed to do that in certain places.

The new law is all about choice.

It ensures that workers who don't want to work on Easter Sunday cannot be forced to - and that they are not penalised for deciding not to. Businesses also cannot be forced to open on Easter Sunday.

For me, choice is important. If you want to spend your Easter Sunday at church, with friends and family or even out shopping, you should be able to decide for yourself how you would like to spend your time.

Meanwhile, in another boost to our city's booming tourism industry it was announced recently that the Regional Mid-sized Tourism Facilities Grant Fund was now open for applications.

It was also announced that the Tourism Growth Partnership fund would from now on, be exclusively for projects in regional New Zealand.

This is designed to ensure regional economies, like that of Rotorua, reap the benefits of strong growth in the tourism sector.

Rotorua tourism operators have been successful in obtaining funding from the TGP and I encourage all others to apply. Rotorua's tourism sector is experiencing exceptional growth. We are seeing more and more visitors coming here and they are spending more money.

Figures from MBIE show Rotorua's visitor spending has increased 4.9 per cent in the past year, with $716 million spent in the year ending July 2016.

These initiatives will all help to make sure we can make the most of the tourism opportunities on offer.

- Todd McClay is the MP for Rotorua.