Premises which normally open Good Friday, East Sunday, Anac Day morning and Christmas day can now sell alcohol under normal licence conditions. Previously patrons had to buy a substantial meal before being sold a drink.
Christchurch bar owner at Slice and Dice, Chris Thomson, says the previous rules were confusing for customers.
"It is equally confusing for tourists and Kiwis...people who have been under this law for a decade are still confused".
Slice and Dice is a bar and restaurant which has boardgames for customers to play while dining.
"We do get a lot of people who come in for [only] a drink" said Thomson.
Bottle stores and supermarkets are still banned from making sales on the four designated days.
Labour MP Kieran McAnulty was behind the member’s bill designed to amend the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act.
The bill, which was a conscience vote, passed by 66 votes to 56.
While things are clearer for getting a drink, other Easter trading laws are still murky.
Good Friday is a public holiday and a restricted trading day. On this day only certain stores can open. This includes dairies, pharmacies, petrol stations, some restaurants and cafes, barbers.
Liquor stores and most supermarkets and retail will remain closed tomorrow.
Local policies cannot override the restricted trading laws for Good Friday.
Saturday is business as usual. It is neither declared a public holiday or a restricted trading day.
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday is not a public holiday but is considered a restricted trading day. While the same trading rules for Good Friday apply for Easter Sunday, there is also an additional rule.
A change to the Act in 2016 allowed local councils to determine their own trading rules for businesses on Easter Sunday. The Christchurch Arts Centre is the only building that is exempt from the act in Christchurch and will be operating from 10am-5pm this Sunday.
Easter Monday is a public holiday according to the Holidays Act 2003, with no restrictions on trading.
Statistics from The Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment show that there were no fines issued for breaches of the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 in the last two years.
