Opinion: Get ready to shop this Easter

Rotorua could be open for business this Easter Sunday, finally. PHOTO/FILE

You could be forgiven for thinking a decision about whether shops will be allowed to open this Easter Sunday is a forgone conclusion.

Our mayor, Steve Chadwick, fought for years for this as the city's MP and so did our current MP Todd McClay.

The Government decided to throw the decision back to local councils to let individual areas choose whether they would like to open.

The Rotorua Lakes Council called for submissions and they were heard last week.

A total of 121 submissions were received, 78 in support and 43 opposing. Only eight people wanted to have their submissions heard in person and of those, only three turned up. Of the three, only one was against.

So it seems our city isn't exactly fighting tooth and nail for the right to stay closed on the statutory holiday.

While I feel for the retail workers who, let's face it, are unlikely going to be able to say no to their bosses to work on Easter Sunday, Rotorua should be allowed to open.

For years overseas visitors have been aghast at why the city shuts up shop on this day, and therefore misses out on all the benefits a bustling tourism city should reap.

The council will discuss the matter again at a meeting this Thursday before a recommendation is made to the full council and a final vote is held on February 27.

If I were to put money on it, we'll be shopping this Easter Sunday and in my opinion that's the right decision.

Not being the religious sort, Easter Sunday has only really been a day off (except when I've had to work at the newspaper).

It's not like Christmas. It's not a time when you get all the family together, switch off the telly, eat and play games.

So why not shop?