Twenty-two shops throughout New Zealand have been caught open and so not complying with Easter trading laws on Friday.
Under the Shop Trading Hours Repeal Act 1990, most shops must remain closed on Good Friday and Easter Sunday and until 1pm on Anzac Day.
Exemptions apply for convenience, souvenir and duty free stores, pharmacies and shops in premises where there are bona fide shows or exhibitions.
Inspectors from the Department of Labour visited 33 shops across the country and found 22 to be open.
The department says any shops that do not have an exemption and fail to comply with the act risk being prosecuted and fined up to $1000.
Last year, 19 shops were found open on Good Friday and 19 on Easter Sunday.
