“Just because something’s always been that way doesn’t mean that that’s a good reason to keep it,” he said. If the bill passes, it is possible it may receive royal assent on Thursday, in time for Good Friday. Luxton’s own member’s bill to repeal alcohol restrictions on Good Friday and Easter Sunday was voted down at first reading in 2024. That bill would have repealed Good Friday and Easter Sunday as restricted trading days altogether. Once again we make it easier to access alcohol on the couple of days where there are some restrictions around it.

Source: New Zealand Herald April 02, 2026 00:19 UTC