Whakatāne District Council has adopted its Easter Sunday Trading Policy which allows shops to trade on Easter Sunday if they wish to open.
The Policy applies across the district and across all shops.
Manager Strategic Property Vanessa Fergusson said one of Council's priorities is to make sure we’re facilitating economic regeneration and employment opportunities in the District.
"Enabling shops to be able to open on Easter Sunday helps with this, and means the District is aligned with other councils in the area.
“The Policy does not mean retailers have to open, nor does it mean staff in retail are required to work on Easter Sunday," Ms Fergusson said.
In 2016, the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 (‘the Act’) was amended to allow all councils in New Zealand to choose whether to allow shops in their city or district to trade on Easter Sunday.
The Policy has no effect on Good Friday.