Easter Sunday is one of the few remaining public holidays that are completely set aside for people to rest and spend time with their families. However, this is under threat from the Shop Trading Hours Amendment Bill. Late last year NZCCSS reported on this Bill (Easter Trading to be Whipped Through) and has supported other groups like Caritas and the Salvation Army in opposing the weakening of the protection of Easter Sunday (read our submission here).

The Select Committee considering the Bill could not agree on a final report and returned it to Parliament unchanged. On Tuesday 28th June, Green MP Denise Roche attempted to table a petition signed by over 5,000 people opposing the Bill but was prevented from doing so.

The petition is still open if you wish to join with thousands of others to ask two MPs whose votes could decide whether this Bill passes or not, Te Ururoa Flavell and Peter Dunne, to oppose it and make sure it does not become law. Click on this link to sign the Protect Easter petition.