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Shops warned about Easter trading restrictions

Department of Labour

Monday 4 April 2011, 3:47PM

By Department of Labour

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With less than three weeks until Easter, the Department of Labour is reminding retailers that they must shut their doors for two and a half days over the holiday period.

The Shop Trading Hours Repeal Act 1990 requires shops to close on Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and until 1pm on ANZAC Day every year.

This means during the Easter weekend shops must shut on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and until 1pm on ANZAC Day - in 2011 ANZAC Day (25 April) falls on the same day as Easter Monday and businesses who are not exempt from the Act must not open until 1pm.

The Department’s Deputy Chief Executive Labour Group, Lesley Haines, says some exemptions to the Act apply to ensure certain types of essential services and shops remain open in places where people may be travelling through.

“Any retailers uncertain about whether they are able to open on these days should get in touch with the Department before the Easter period. Information is also available on our website,” Ms Haines says.

“Any shops who do not comply with the Act and are not exempt risk being prosecuted by the Department of Labour.”

Employers are also reminded that this year as ANZAC Day falls on Easter Monday, both days will be observed simultaneously – ANZAC Day is not transferred to any other day.

However recent changes to the Holidays Act now mean employers and employees can agree to transfer the observance of public holidays to another working day to meet the needs of the business or the needs of the employee.

Further information on public holidays and employee entitlements is available on our website.

  • More information on Shop Trading legislation and the exemptions that exist are available on the Department’s website.
  • More information on public holidays and employee entitlements in 2011 is available here: http://www.ers.dol.govt.nz/holidays_act_2003/public_holidays-2011.html
  • For more information, the Department of Labour’s contact centre is open during businesses hours by phoning 0800 20 90 20.