Wanaka retailers are being given the option to open on Easter Sunday for the first time this year.
Wanaka shops will be able to open for Easter Sunday without worrying about prosecution. Photo: 123rf.com
The Queenstown Lakes District Council yesterday voted in favour of the change, although trading was still not allowed on Good Friday.
Last year, the Shop Trading Hours Act was amended to allow local councils to decide whether to let retailers open over Easter.
Wanaka Photo and Digital store owner Steve Worely said his business had been prosecuted twice for opening over Easter, which he had fought in court.
Mr Worely said the law was outdated, and he wanted to be able to open on Good Friday as well.
"The ideal for us would be we could open when we like, within the respectful days, for instance on Anzac day we shut in the morning like everybody else. But certainly these big trading days of easter, we would like to be allowed to open up when we want to do that."
