Auckland councillors vote against relaxing trading hours

NZ Herald 24 August 2017
The Auckland Council has overwhelmingly voted against trading on Easter Sunday, with the mayor leading the move not to make the change.

At a meeting this morning, councillors voted 20 to 1 to keep the ban on trading on the Christian holiday.

Mayor Phil Goff issued a strong statement about his stance not to change – and was applauded for his support of keeping the status quo.

“Make no mistake. If it’s Easter Sunday now that becomes commercialised, the next step will be Good Friday – because the same arguments apply,” he said.

“Maybe Christmas Day and even conceivably Anzac Day.”

Goff said the fact the council had to make the decision was a “hospital pass” from an indecisive Government.
READ MORE: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11910009

Auckland Council’s vote to keep Easter trading laws a ‘victory for retail workers and their families’
TVNZ One News 24 August 2017
Auckland businesses still won’t be able to trade on Easter Sunday next year after councilors voted this morning to keep a trading bylaw in place.
The decision comes after the Auckland Council debated whether to scrap the controversial Easter Sunday bylaw.

“This is a victory for retail workers and their families,” said FIRST Union Retail and Finance Secretary Maxine Gay.

“Unlike other New Zealanders, people who work in retail are often on the job on public holidays. That means they often miss out on time with their families, their friends and their communities.”

It means certain businesses like dairies and petrol stations will continue to be closed on Easter Sunday.

However the city centre’s business association says it shouldn’t be the council’s decision and believes retailers should decide whether they open or not on Easter Sunday.

The Government delegated decision-making on the issue to local councils last year.
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/auckland-councils-vote-keep-easter-trading-laws-victory-retail-workers-and-their-families
Auckland votes to keep Easter trading hours
Stuff co.nz 24 August 2017
Auckland Council has voted overwhelmingly to keep shops across the city closed on Easter Sunday.
Councillors voted on the controversial issue on Thursday morning, after the government delegated decision-making on Easter trading to local councils last year.
The politicians faced pressure from demonstrators who gathered outside the Auckland Council Chambers in a last ditch effort to sway their vote.
Meanwhile, Family First also welcomed council’s decision.
“The only people demanding Easter Sunday trading are those who will make money from it,” said national director Bob McCoskrie.
“But economic improvement needs to be finely balanced with family and community time.
“Tourists will cope. Many countries have public holidays with shops closed, and tourists simply plan around it, accepting it as part of the local culture and identity,” McCoskrie said.
READ MORE: https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/96101130/auckland-votes-to-keep-easter-trading-hours
Auckland and Christchurch councillors vote against Easter Sunday trading
NewsTalk ZB 24 August 2017
Auckland and Christchurch councillors have voted against trading on Easter Sunday, after about half of councils voted to keep it.

Strong words were made to keep the ban on trading in Auckland, with councillors voting 20 to 1.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff was applauded for his support of keeping the status quo.

“Make no mistake, if it’s Easter Sunday now that becomes commercialised, the next step will be Good Friday, because the same arguments apply. Maybe Christmas Day and even conceivably Anzac Day,” he said.

The vote comes after two recent surveys showed many within Auckland were divided about the idea of more retailers being allowed to open their doors on the Christian holiday.
READ MORE: http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/auckland-councillors-vote-against-relaxing-trading-hours/