At a meeting in Alexandra yesterday, the Central Otago District Council adopted a draft policy allowing shops to open on the holiday throughout the district.
The policy will now go out for public submission and the council will make a final decision early next year.
Cr Martin McPherson said the policy was a ''no-brainer''.
''It's legislation that allows the individuals in business to make that decision for themselves.''
The council received 295 replies to an online survey on the policy, about 70% approving of the change.
Cr Victoria Bonham said there was a suggestion within public responses to allow shops to open on the afternoon of the Sunday, but not the morning.
Council environmental health team leader Ray Applegarth said this was not within the scope of the policy.
Cr Barrie Wills said the policy should be given the green light.
A council report said one
disadvantage of its adoption was it may be contrary to some religious and cultural beliefs.
Cr Bonham said it was ''kind of sad'' less importance was now given to cultural traditions and ceremonies.
The report said certain tourist-oriented areas in the country had exemptions to open on Easter Sundays, but none existed in Central Otago.
This gave an unfair advantage to some businesses and regions, it said.
Dairies, service stations, takeaway bars, restaurants and cafes, garden centres and duty-free stores can already open on restricted trading days.
The council was also given the option of adopting a policy where only shops in certain areas could operate on the holiday.
In August the Government passed the Shop Trading Hours Amendment Act 2016, which lets local authorities choose whether to allow Easter Sunday trading.
