The director of a national chain of garden centres says a $1000 fine is no deterrent to breaking laws around Good Friday trading.
Oderings director Darryn Odering said staying open was a no brainer - Good Friday had signalled the start of the company's annual sale and been its busiest day of trading since 1970.
The company had six shops in the North Island and five in Christchurch. It had stayed open on Good Friday despite a law change in 1990 that required it to close.
"We were largely ingnored for opening until 1998 when we first got prosecuted,'' Mr Odering said.
"Last year we were prosecuted in our North Island stores, but not in Christchurch.''
The fines totalled about $1000 last year with about $1400 in court costs on top.
Mr Odering said fine weather in Christchurch this year meant today's revenue would be a record.
The Department of Labour said compliance officers were working across New Zealand today, checking if retailers were sticking to the rules. They would be out on Sunday too.
Last year, the Labour Department visited 54 retailers throughout New Zealand on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, and found 39 shops trading when they should not have been.
Most shops should be closed on Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Anzac Day before 1pm.
Retailers with exemption include dairies and service stations allowed to sell essential items and pharmacies.
Businesses providing a service, such as restaurants and hairdressers, can open but not sell products. Garden centres can only open on Easter Sunday.
Cornerstone Bar in Tauranga said it had to be careful about opening on Good Friday because it was fined last year for breaching Easter trading laws when it sold alcohol.
Parliament has attempted to change Easter trading regulations 14 times.
In late 2009 a Member's Bill failed by three conscience votes, 62 to 59.
