May 2025
The Restaurant Association of New Zealand (the Restaurant Association) welcomes the opportunity to submit on the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Sales on Anzac Day Morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas Day) Amendment Bill.
Since 1972, the Restaurant Association has worked to offer advice, help and assistance in every facet of the vibrant and diverse hospitality industry, covering the length and breadth of the country. We’re passionate about our vibrant industry, which is full of interesting, talented and entrepreneurial people.
The Restaurant Association supports this bill, which seeks to allow licensed businesses already permitted to open on ANZAC Day morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day to sell alcohol under their usual licence conditions by repealing sections 47 and 48 of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.
Reducing the burden on hospitality businesses
The current alcohol trading restrictions place an unnecessary burden on hospitality workers that they do not face on any other days of the year. Businesses that are already legally able to operate on these public holidays should be able to operate under normal conditions. The amount of time, money and the potential loss of sales that hospitality businesses face when explaining to customers that alcohol can only be served with a substantial meal is unnecessary.
The hospitality industry, which employs around 145,000 people, is our country’s 7th largest employer. Our businesses are already struggling with significant challenges, including declining revenue, reduced customer numbers, and rising costs. The ability to trade and sell alcohol under normal conditions on these public holidays can provide a significant financial boost, by being rid of outdated laws which are complex to enforce by operators, and leave consumers confused and disappointed.
Promoting a thriving tourism industry
As an industry that heavily relies on international tourism to thrive, our hospitality businesses need to be able to make operating decisions that service a wide variety of customer preferences. We’re proud of the contribution our businesses make to our vibrant towns, cities and communities, but we need policy settings to enable that to continue. As such, we support legislation that allows tourists to experience consistent rules around alcohol consumption.
Tourism contributes 7.5 per cent of GDP and continues to be New Zealand’s second highest export, with overseas visitor expenditure increasing by $6.3 billion (59.9 per cent) to $16.9 billion. The Government has also recently announced a major drive to boost New Zealand as an international travel destination with a $13.5 million turbocharge for global marketing activity. Providing international visitors with a consistent experience, regardless of public holidays, will help to support the hospitality and tourism industry.
Outdated religion-based laws
The primary reason for restricted trading on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day is based on religious ideology. Removing these restrictions aligns with the principles of economic freedom and choice. Given the challenges posed by the global pandemic, the focus should be on supporting businesses and not retaining outdated restrictions that hinder economic recovery.
Conclusion
Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback on the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Sales on Anzac Day Morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas Day) Amendment Bill. We would be happy to discuss any part of this submission in more detail, and to provide any assistance that you may require.
Ngā mihi nui,
Marisa Bidois
Chief Executive