More shops than not opened in Wanaka this morning, despite the restrictions around trading on Good Friday.
Businesses planning to open today or on Easter Sunday will once again risk the possibility of a fine of up to $1000 if they are selling more than a restricted list of goods.
An ODT survey of the town's CBD this morning found shops selling clothing, jewellery, camera equipment, sporting goods, bicycles and other restricted products.
The Shop Trading Hours Amendment Bill that might lead to a change in the rules around Easter trading is still being considered by a parliamentary select committee.
The Bill, being promoted by Workplace Relations and Safety Minister and Dunedin MP, Michael Woodhouse, is aimed at freeing up trading regulations on Easter Sunday - but not Good Friday.
Many Wanaka retailers have traditionally opened on Good Friday and Easter Sunday to service tourists. Tens of thousands of visitors are in the town this weekend for the Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow.
Until the law is changed, existing rules apply and that means dairies and service stations, for instance, can sell such things as food, drink, baby formula, pet food, petrol, oil, car parts and accessories. Pharmacies can open on both days but garden centres can open on Sunday only.
Queenstown and Taupo are exempt from the law on both days but not Wanaka and other tourist towns.
Wanaka has a history of retailers deliberately contravening the law, with little or no consequence in recent years. And that seems likely to continue.
Steve Worley, who has opened his Kodak, Photo and Digital business every Easter since he took it over nine years ago, said he would trade as he normally did. His business was convicted and fined once and was discharged on a second occasion.
It is understood the law has not been enforced in Wanaka during the past five years.
The Bill suggests local authorities should determine how the rules apply in their areas.
In its submission to the select committee earlier this year, the Queenstown Lakes District Council supported the Bill. It also supported the continuation of Queenstown's exemption and asked for the exemption to be extended to the whole district, including Wanaka.
The Auckland Council, on the other hand, has opposed the Bill for various reasons including the cost of creating and administering new bylaws. Its preference is for the Government to allow more exemptions in tourist areas.
