Feedback on this policy closed on Tuesday 11 April 2023. This policy was adopted by Council's Living Together Committee on Thursday, 22 June 2023. Check out our Policies page for the current version of this policy.

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. Before this law change, most shops had to remain closed on three and a half days of the year - Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Anzac Day (until 1pm) and Christmas Day.

Council adopted the current Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy in 2017. The Policy applies to all of the Whakatāne District and allows shops to trade on Easter Sunday if they want to. Now, Council needs to review it’s Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy to make sure it’s still right for our District. Council is required to review the Policy no later than five years after the adoption date however, the Policy can remain in force for a further two years before it is revoked.