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‘Epic’ Earth Day Easter bunny delivers page 2
Pictured with the Wanaka Wastebusters trash monster are, from left, Amber Brovelli, Charlie Milne, 4, Andy Milne, Anika Brown, Lyn Pringle, Lynne Millar, Annalise Millar,5, Kyle Millar, 4, Brent Millar, Jake Milne, 7, Lena Drake and Fin Pringle-Booth. PHOTO: SIMON WILLIAMS
Sue Wards
ANZAC services page 2
Earth Day in Wanaka was “epic”, according to organiser Amber Brovelli. “Wanaka is truly a magical place,” she said. “It’s hard not to be inspired in preservation of this
pristine landscape.” Earth Day was celebrated on Friday as part of a worldwide movement to promote awareness and appreciation for the earth’s natural environment. Events in Wanaka included an ecoconscious cocktail party, a
well-attended resurrection of the Trash Monster (pictured) at Wastebusters, tree planting at Lismore Park with Te Kakano Nursery and an eco-festival at Paradiso. Amber said families and children filled the cinema for screenings of FernGully
and The Burning Season (an Australian documentary on deforestation in Indonesia). “It was neat to see how enthusiastic the kids were during FernGully in saving the rainforest,” Amber said. The eco-festival showcased
the work of a range of Wanaka groups, including Wanaka Wastebusters, the Centre for Sustainable Practice, Kahu Youth and the Young Change Makers.
Easter trading law “an ass” Should shops remain open over the holiday period? Sue Wards
One night for Japan page 9
sunviews page 17
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www.thewanakasun.co.nz
Easter trading laws will continue to be “an ass” until the government makes the issue a party vote, according to Wanaka Chamber of Commerce president Leigh Stock, pictured. Wanaka retailers flouted the law over the weekend by opening on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The Shop Trading Hours Repeal Act 1990 means businesses are required by law to close on these days, but many businesses opened. Those flouting the law faced a fine of up to $1000. “Every time Easter comes
around the same story comes up,” Leigh Stock said. The current law is “not conducive” to the environment in Wanaka, where thousands of people visit at Easter, he said. Queenstown
past 14 years. National MP Tau Henare recently announced his intention to draft a Member’s Bill to allow shop trading on Good Friday, but Leigh Stock is not hopeful about its impact.
“If they’re serious about it, make it a party vote.” and Taupo have exemptions to trade but Wanaka does not. “If we can’t have one, then shut Queenstown down,” Leigh said. Eight bills attempting to reform the shop trading rules have failed in parliament in the
“While it is a conscience vote it won’t go anywhere,” he said. “If they’re serious about it, make it a party vote.” Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean said lack of support from the Labour Party had put the brakes on her draft bill
on the issue, but said she remains determined to see change around the Easter trading laws. “Retailers need all the help that they can get to boost their businesses and
to ensure that New Zealand’s economy performs strongly,” she said. However the National Distribution Union announced last week that Mr Henare’s bill would waste Parliament’s time. General Secretary Robert Reid said shoppers can shop 361 and a half days a year, including 51 of the 52 Sundays. “It seems extraordinary that Parliament would want to dismantle one of our only laws that explicitly promotes the interests of family and community over the marketplace,” he said.