Thousands of retail workers and their families will be among New Zealanders enjoying precious family and community time together this weekend, despite ten attempts to change Easter Trading rules over the past two decades, says Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand Director Michael Smith.
The Catholic agency for justice, peace and development has been among the many church, community and union groups opposing further liberalisation of Easter trading hours, and is well aware that further attempts are in the pipeline.
“Easter is a sacred and joyful time for Christians. For us it is a precious time for worship, families and community celebrations,” said Michael Smith.
Church and community activities at Easter cover a huge range of cultural and community events. “Thousands of people are now gathering for the Catholic Hui Aranga at Te Aute College in the Hawkes Bay this weekend, while in Pacific communities the Church is often the centre of family and community life. And Easter services in our increasingly multicultural parishes attract many – including those who may only wish to touch base with their heritage a few times each year.”
However, Michael Smith said Easter is clearly valued and appreciated well beyond the Churches. “Many retail workers have told us how much they appreciate our advocacy for one of the few remaining weekends off in the year, when most family members are able to get together. It is also a time for thousands of community events, from sporting tournaments, to school reunions and unveilings.”
He said Members of Parliament need to draw on their own experiences of valuable time with families and friends in understanding the impact of retail hour changes on vulnerable workers and their families. “We recognise that most MPs are hard-working. But we don't expect the midnight oil will be burning in most offices of the Beehive and Parliament over Easter.”
Michael Smith said the Catholic agency is conscious of people who already work at Easter, such as emergency, health and transport workers. “We recognise that there are people who regularly sacrifice these precious days of the year and we are grateful to them for that. There are some professions which require a commitment every hour of the day, and every day of the year. But retail work is not one of them.”
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is a member of Caritas Internationalis, a confederation of 165 Catholic aid, development and social justice agencies active in over 200 countries and territories.