Napier’s Easter Sunday Trading Policy

Napier City Council’s Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy was adopted in 2018 and it’s now due for review. Napier City Council is proposing to continue the policy without any amendments. 

Does the Policy mean all shops have to open? 

No, ultimately it is up to individual retailers whether they choose to exercise the right to open; there is no obligation to do so. 

What about the choice of workers? 

Our current policy refers to the Workers Choice Provision in the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990. Employees have the ability to refuse work on Easter Sunday without repercussions to the employment relationship. 

Religious beliefs 

Easter Sunday is important in the Christian calendar because it celebrates Jesus Christ's resurrection, according to the Christian faith. At the 2018 Census, 37.4% of Napier’s population reported as having a Christian religious affiliation.  

Easter in Napier 

Previously Napier has had high visitor numbers over Easter, but the city has felt the impacts of travel restrictions and Cyclone Gabrielle. This has resulted in a decrease in visitor numbers and spending. The current policy allows affected retail businesses to open on Easter Sunday. 

You can read more detail in the Statement of Proposal and a copy of the proposed draft policy can be read here. 

Have your say 

To make a submission on Napier's Easter Trading Policy please complete the form below. If you would like to speak to your submission, please indicate this on your submission form. A Council meeting to hear submissions will be held in early November.

Closing date for submissions is 5pm, Thursday 12 October 2023.

Napier's Easter Trading Policy Submission Form