Media Release
12 October 2006

“Free up the trading laws”, Says Hospitality Association

The legitimate needs of the community should be met by allowing liquor retailers to open every day of the year.

That message was delivered to a Select Committee hearing today by Bruce Robertson of the Hospitality Association of New Zealand.

Mr Robertson made an even stronger call, saying that, while supporting the Bill, the Association believes that the point has been reached in New Zealand when all limitations on shop trading hours and the retailing of goods and services should be removed.

“We believe that it is time to recognise that retailers and customers are capable of making their own choices with respect to retailing and shop trading”, he said.

“In particular, it should be the choice of individual retailers whether or not they open on any particular day, whatever that day may be and the times that they open and trade”.

He told the hearing that alcohol can be purchased on aircraft, trains and ferries on Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and before 1pm on Anzac Day but not in a hotel or from an off-licence, and that law is due for a change.

“There is inconsistency regarding the granting of special licences by agencies with some adopting quite liberal approaches, reflecting New Zealand’s contemporary market for liquor consumption.

“Others adopt a prohibitive stance and routinely turn down special licence applications on questionable grounds,” he said.

Mr Robertson said that Liquor Licensing Authority’s view is that there’s no logical reason to prohibit the sale of liquor in hotels and taverns on Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and prior to 1pm on Anzac Day

He asked the Select Committee to at least adopt an extension of the Act’s provisions so that the sale of liquor on Easter Sunday be allowed.

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Ref: h:hr6r6114.doc