Once a local council has created a local policy, they must notify the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment at EmploymentServices.BusinessSupport@mbie.govt.nz.
The following territorial authorities have policies in place:
To see boundary maps for all regional, district and city councils in New Zealand, visit the New Zealand Local Government website (external link)
All shop employees have the right to refuse work on Easter Sunday without giving a reason to their employer. Learn about the special responsibilities that employers and employees have to follow if an employer wants a shop employee to work on Easter Sunday.
A shop opening for business on Easter Sunday in an area where there is no local policy in place (and no exemption from shop trading restrictions or ability to open with conditions) will be in breach of shop trading restrictions even if they have followed the correct process for notifying employees that they have the right to refuse to work.
Tools and Resources
Restricted shop trading days
Find out more about restricted shop trading days and the exemptions and exceptions for opening a shop on a restricted shop trading day.
Restricted shop trading tool
Use our tool to determine whether you can trade on restricted shop trading days.