The Easter tradition of Wanaka shops opening in contravention of the Shop Trading Hours Repeal Act 1990 appeared to be flourishing yesterday - Good Friday.
An Otago Daily Times survey of the main Wanaka shopping area found some shops closed but just as many open and some even offering Easter sales specials.
Steve Worley was behind the counter of his Photo and Digital business yesterday, aware he was contravening the Act, just as he has for several years.
''Every customer who has come in today has thanked us for being open.
''Nobody has ever complained about us being open.''
Mr Worley did not see an inspector from the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment yesterday but believed they were more likely to visit tomorrow when he would again be open.
His business had been prosecuted twice before - the last time four years ago, when he was convicted but not fined or ordered to pay costs, Mr Worley said.
The ministry warned before Easter those retailers not exempt from the Act risked prosecution if they opened on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
The exemptions include pharmacies, duty-free stores and real estate agencies.
Cafes, bars and restaurants are allowed to open as long as they sell only prepared or cooked food that is ready to be eaten immediately.
Last Easter, 41 shops were found to be open and 30 businesses were convicted for breaching the law. Owners risk a $1000 fine.
Labour inspectors visited 64 shops around the country based on complaints, previous prosecutions or warnings, and advertisements stating they would remain open.
Last year, Waitaki National MP Jacqui Dean's private member's Bill that would have allowed shops to open was voted down by Parliament.
Mrs Dean said yesterday, although having twice failed to have the law changed, she would try again - either through a third private member's Bill or an attempt to persuade the National Government to amend the law itself.
Mrs Dean was in Kaikoura yesterday and would have gone to the supermarket if she could have.
She said like ''every other holiday-maker'' rushing to get away from home, she would have found it ''really nice'' to have been able to stock up on Good Friday.
''The law says I can't. Well that's nuts.''
