Open or closed on Easter Sunday? Waipā, it’s your call

Hot cross buns and a browse around the shops, or a quiet day off? Waipā residents, retailers and workers are being asked whether local shops should be able to choose to open on Easter Sunday.

The question is part of a district-wide Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy, open for feedback from Monday, November 2. If adopted, shops across Waipā could decide for themselves whether to open their doors on Easter Sunday. No shop would have to open, and Council would not set opening hours. The choice would be theirs.

Employees would keep their legal right to say no to working on Easter Sunday, without needing to give a reason. Shops already allowed to trade under existing law could carry on as usual, and alcohol licensing rules would still apply.

If the policy is not adopted, Easter Sunday would remain a restricted trading day in Waipā under the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990.

Mayor Mike Pettit says this is all about choice. “Whether you run a shop, work in retail or simply enjoy shopping locally, we’d love to hear what you think before any final decision is made.”

“Some local businesses were keen for us to take another look, and it’s been a while since we last considered it. We’re already talking with our community about other important issues, so this is a good opportunity to hear how people feel about this too.”

Submissions open on Monday, November 2 and close at 5pm on Wednesday, December 2. You will be able to share your views online through Let’s Talk Waipā, and feedback forms will also be available at the 10-Year Plan and Cambridge Connections community engagement events throughout November.

Elected members will meet on Wednesday, January 27, 2027, to consider all feedback, before making a final decision on whether to adopt an Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy. Every voice counts, so tell us what Easter Sunday should look like in Waipā.