Industry welcomes holiday trading changes

Industry groups have welcomed the changes to trading restrictions around several New Zealand public holidays.

The Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Sales on Anzac Day Morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas Day) Amendment Bill, which clarifies trading and service restrictions across the four restricted trading days in the calendar year, passed its third reading on 1 April and received Royal Assent on 2 April.

This saw the changes take effect in time for the long weekend of Easter and will also help to clarify trading rules around the upcoming ANZAC Day morning in late April.

“This new bill removes confusion for our operators and their guests by removing operational restrictions put in place by a dated piece of legislation,” says Kristy Phillips, Hospitality NZ’s Chief Executive. “Operators can now trade if they wish to do so. We thank Hon. Kieran McAnulty for putting the bill forward, and to MPs who have supported this bill through Parliament, introducing a meaningful change to how hospitality businesses operate across these days.”

New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) has also welcomed the passing of the Bill. “Before the changes, most winery cellar doors could sell their wine on Easter Sunday but not on other major public holidays,” notes Philip Gregan, CEO of NZW.

“These changes expand this flexibility to other public holidays, including Good Friday, Christmas Day, and Anzac Day, before 1pm.”

“The other change affects winery restaurants and cafes. Previously, they could open on these public holidays but could only sell a glass of wine to customers who were dining, which came with additional requirements. These changes remove those additional requirements for dining and treat these public holidays just like other trading days. As always, wineries will be required to operate responsibly and follow any other conditions of their licences.”

NZ Winegrowers says that these changes will allow businesses to continue to offer visitor experiences on these days and, in doing so, strengthen wine tourism.

The Ministry of Justice has published a fact sheet outlining the changes here.