Opinion: Easter Sunday will take time to take off

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick, MP Todd McClay and McLeod's Booksellers' Mike Byrne celebrate Easter Sunday trading. Photo/Ben Fraser

Rotorua has fought for 27 years to shop on Easter Sunday eventually earning the right convincingly.

But there was hardly a stampede of people waving wallets and pushing for bargains.

Those out and about at the weekend will confirm Thursday's shopping was mayhem, partially from people getting their rescue kits in order as a result of looming Cyclone Cook.

I was one of those who ventured to the super market on Thursday. It wasn't to get an emergency kit, it was to stock up because shops were closed on Good Friday.

After seeing the mayhem of worried shoppers, I too found myself buying bottled water and canned goods.

Because no shops were allowed to open on Good Friday, Saturday was mayhem in town. Friends were posting on Facebook to avoid Rotorua's central business district at all costs because it was "crazy".

Based on that, I thought Easter Sunday would also be busy. But it seems despite all the publicity that shops were now allowed to open in Rotorua, not all retailers and shoppers took advantage.

Some have said there was a lack of advertising as to what shops would be open and many people were disappointed some chain stores chose to stay closed.

This was perhaps because the new law makes certain that employees can't be forced to work on Easter Sunday. There's freedom of choice right there.

Either way, this change is a good one and it is about time Rotorua had the option.

Congratulations to mayor Steve Chadwick. She's been somewhat of a dog with a bone with this one, including as her time as Rotorua's MP.

It will take time before Easter Sunday does a roaring trade and I for one look forward to when that happens.