Last week, Parliament voted to hand over to local authorities the decision on Easter Sunday trading, which is illegal for most businesses except in the tourist towns of Queenstown and Taupo.
The law is contentious in Wanaka and has often been flouted.
The Otago Daily Times asked the 32 candidates standing for the Queenstown Lakes District Council and Wanaka Community Board whether they would support Easter Sunday trading in Wanaka.
None of the 22 who responded opposed the idea, although five were noncommittal.
The decision-making process for Wanaka issues is generally for the community board to make a recommendation to the council, which has the final say.
Board chairwoman Rachel Brown did not say whether she favoured Easter trading in Wanaka but welcomed the opportunity for the community to ``set its own rules''.
``I believe the whole community needs to take this opportunity to let the new Wanaka Community Board know what they want so the board can show true representation and advocate to council the best outcome.''
The two mayoral contenders who responded were more forthright in their views.
Lyal Cocks said he favoured Sunday trading across the district.
``This goes part way to addressing outdated and inconsistent legislation which has often been ignored.
``We rely on the visitor industry and being able to provide all services to our visitors over this extremely busy weekend is essential.''
Opponent Jim Boult agreed.
``Visitors coming here have expectations of being able to carry out the normal functions of being on holiday including shopping, no matter whether it is a weekend or a public holiday.
``Wanaka has developed markedly in the last 30 years or so and is now an important part of New Zealand's tourism offering.
``As such, it should have laws which allow it to provide for its visitor's needs.
``It is then up to individual shop owners to open if they wish, or not.''
Two Wanaka-based candidates for the council, Calum MacLeod and Ross McRobie, supported Easter Sunday trading, believing individual Wanaka businesses should be left to decide.
``It brings the Lakes district into sync with Queenstown,'' Mr McRobie said.
``It will also mean the retail spending dollar will remain in Wanaka, which is great for our economy.''
Council candidate Jude Battson, of Lake Hawea, supported Parliament's decision to give the decision to local authorities but did not say whether or not she favoured Easter Sunday trading.
Council candidate Ella Lawton, of Wanaka, also did not commit herself but welcomed the chance for discussion.
``The new Bill requires that council consult with the community to understand views for and against trading on Easter Sunday.''
Wanaka Community Board candidates Ed Taylor, Barry Bruce, Ruth Harrison and Quentin Smith favoured Easter Sunday trading.
Mr Taylor said businesses should be able to open without worrying about being prosecuted but the issue of Good Friday trading would ``continue to be a bone of contention'' with Queenstown allowed to open and Wanaka not.
Mr Bruce said many businesses needed to be able to trade on statutory holidays such as Easter for economic survival.
Ms Harrison supported Easter Sunday trading but said the ``bigger issue is for the workers who have to work these holidays''.
And Mr Smith said he was ``most pleased'' the Government had empowered local communities to make their own decision.
``I would support allowing Easter trading in Wanaka while respecting individuals' rights to uphold religious holidays.''
Queenstown residents standing for the Wakatipu ward of the council who responded and favoured Wanaka having Easter Sunday trading were Penny Clark, Terri Anderson, Tony Hill, John MacDonald, Merv Aoake, Alexa Forbes and Simon Stamers-Smith.
Scott Stevens, elected unopposed for the Arrowtown ward, said Queenstown and Arrowtown were exempt from the current restrictions on Easter Sunday trading.
``Why shouldn't that extend to Wanaka and the rest of the Queenstown Lakes district?
``I support it and would be very surprised if other candidates did not agree.''
Hudson Turnbull suggested it would be ``only courteous'' to carry out a survey of Wanaka residents before making a decision.
And Niki Gladding wanted an assurance change would not alter restrictions on liquor licences, and that workers would have the choice to work or not work on Easter Sunday.
