Those opposed to Easter Sunday trading in the Waitaki district cite stress, family violence and worse in the need to value a ``healthy society'' over ``tourist dollars''.
The Waitaki District Council Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy 2017 received 150 submissions last month, 73% of which were against the proposal to change the status quo.
Many of those opposing a change to the council's current restriction on Easter trading also cited religious values.
Of the remaining 27% of submissions in favour of allowing shops to trade on Easter Sunday, 80% were in favour of a district-wide policy, while 20% wanted the policy restricted to a certain area, a report to councillors this week states.
The report cites Oamaru's harbour precinct as an example of where an area-specific policy could be put in place.
Fr Wayne Healey, of Oamaru, said in today's ``very technological age'' a restriction on Easter Sunday trading could allow for more time spent with family.
``People are not mice on a wheel but need time for spirituality in the broad sense and the traditional way, for without it we truly lose the real sense of direction, purpose and meaning to our lives and that is fraught with danger.''
Roseanne Sheridan, of Oamaru, said whether people were religious or not they ought to ``have the freedom to spend well-needed time with their families''.
``We have very few public holidays in New Zealand and with a rate of family violence that is one of the highest in the world, we should be looking towards aspects of society that foster family life. Spending time together is one of them.''
The Otago Chamber of Commerce submitted on behalf of its roughly 1000 businesses,
including the 115 North Otago businesses it represents, in favour of a ``permissive bylaw which allows for retailers to open if they choose''.
In a recent survey of 20 North Otago businesses, 80% were in favour of Easter trading.
Region-wide, of 101 businesses surveyed, just 62.38% (63) were in favour of allowing shops to trade on Easter Sunday, 34.65% (35) being against and 2.97% (3) unsure.
Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said he was not surprised by the results of the consultation process, which would seem to favour maintaining the status quo.
But the decision was not being made simply by a popular vote.
``This played out everywhere,'' Mr Kircher said.
``Obviously, Easter is seen as a religious holiday and there are different groups that want it to stay that way. A significant
number of submission forms were picked up by church-related groups and they took the opportunity to play their part in the democratic process that this is.
``This is a chance for people to give their opinions, their reasons, and make their reasons known, and the responsibility of the councillors is to weigh that up and make a decision one way or the other.''
Public hearings on the Easter Sunday trading policy will be held this morning at the Oamaru Opera House.
Councillors will deliberate on November 8 in a workshop, and a decision is expected at an extraordinary council meeting on November 15.
