New Zealanders are set to get Monday off the next time
Waitangi Day falls on a weekend.
A Labour Party bill to move the the day-off for Waitangi Day
and Anzac Day to Monday when they fall on the weekend has
enough support to pass its second reading in the next two
months.
The Monday-ising bill is sponsored by Labour's Dunedin North
MP David Clark, who said New Zealand should follow
Australia's lead by allowing New Zealanders to have Monday
off.
Anzac Day next falls on a Saturday in 2015, and Waitangi Day
in 2016.
The Government previously rejected the bill, with Justice
Minister Judith Collins saying Anzac Day is for remembering
the dead.
"To reduce it into a three day weekend is, I think, very
disrespectful to the people whose lives have been lost."
United Future leader Peter Dunne supported the bill, saying
he wanted to ensure New Zealander had access to all public
holidays.
"It's sensible and long overdue," he added.
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