The Government is being urged to follow its own advice and approve the "Mondayisation" of public holidays such as Anzac Day and Waitangi Day when they fall at a weekend.
Dunedin North MP David Clark said that today, on Anzac Day, as the country remembered those who gave their lives for their country, it was appropriate to consider how much time New Zealanders were spending with their families.
Dr Clark released papers obtained under the Official Information Act that demonstrated the logic behind his moves to Mondayise both Anzac and Waitangi days.
His Holidays Amendment Bill addressed an issue that arose, on average, only two days every seven years, when those days fell on a weekend.
The days of celebration would still be April 25 and February 6 respectively, but there would also be a public holiday on the Monday that followed.
The issue was first drawn to public attention last year when both celebrations fell on a weekend. Many Kiwi families felt cheated that their usual entitlement of 11 public holidays was cut to nine, Dr Clark told the Otago Daily Times.
"We do this already for Christmas and other statutory holidays.
"Using the Christmas example: it doesn't make the Christmas celebration itself any different, but you know you can plan for a long weekend and some time off with the family."
The Government requested official advice on the prevalence of Mondayisation of holidays in Australia and the United Kingdom and had been told this usually happened in both jurisdictions, he said.
Officials also noted that the majority of public holidays in New Zealand were already observed on a Monday.
The officials said Mondayising Christmas did not detract from the religious significance of the day, nor did the Mondayisation of New Year stop people celebrating its actual arrival.
"It just means hard-working Kiwis won't be deprived of a public holiday and would have that extra day to spend with their families," Dr Clark said.
Otago Chamber of Commerce chief executive John Christie welcomed the debate but cautioned that changes could mean extra costs for some employers.
Retailers were keen to trade every day they could if there was a return, but they could face paying staff extra penal rates.
Some business owners had already moved to having a Monday holiday when statutory holidays fell at a weekend.
"When you change the rules, some benefit and others don't.
"Employers will not believe this is a major issue, as we have relatively few public holidays on our calendar," Mr Christie said.
