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Source: Radio New Zealand

Some restrictions on Good Friday and Easter Sunday alcohol sales could be gone as soon as this long weekend.

A member’s bill from Labour MP Kieran McAnulty would amend the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act to allow allow premises that are already open on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Anzac Day morning, and Christmas Day to sell alcohol under normal licence conditions.

Currently, bars or restaurants can only sell alcohol if the patron is “residing or lodging” on the premises, or “present on the premises to dine”.

McAnulty said the legislation would clear up a “confusing law” that had been in place for a long time.

“Just because something’s always been that way doesn’t mean that that’s a good reason to keep it,” he said.

The general requirement is that patrons have to order a ‘substantial meal’, but McAnulty said that was not defined, and patrons were not required to eat it anyway.

“That is a bit of a farce of a situation. So all we’re doing is clearing it up that those businesses that are already able to operate anyway can do so under normal conditions, and those that can’t like off-licences and supermarkets, they remain restricted, but for those on-licences that are already operating, they can do so normally.”

The bill is up for its third reading on Wednesday. Exactly when depends on other legislation scheduled to be debated first.

If the bill passes, it is possible it may receive Royal Assent on Thursday, in time for Good Friday.

McAnulty said the timing was a “sticking point,” but as some government bills were scheduled to receive Royal Assent on Thursday he was hopeful his could be included alongside those.

“It’s quite fortuitous timing, I think, the way that it’s played out. And really, we’re at the mercy and availability of Her Excellency, and I’m not of a mind to flick a text to the Governor-General and ask for a solid, so I’m quite happy with the way that it’s played out, and hopefully it does follow through.”

Parliament treats alcohol legislation as a conscience matter, meaning MPs vote according to their personal view or what they think is best for their electorate or community, rather than as a party bloc.

It means some of McAnulty’s own Labour colleagues may choose to oppose his bill, but the MP was optimistic he had the numbers across the House to pass.

McAnulty’s original intent was to allow any premises that was allowed to operate on those public holidays to sell alcohol, which would have included supermarkets but not bottle shops.

But he said it was changed to keep things simple, and only apply it to on-licence venues.

“It’s proven to be the right decision, because we’ve maintained enough support in Parliament,” he said.

“I know that if we’d stuck with off-licences or supermarkets, there are people that would have withdrawn their support, and it probably wouldn’t have passed.”

An amendment proposed by ACT MP Cameron Luxton has been adopted into the bill.

Luxton’s amendment means bars can open after midnight on Anzac and Easter holidays. McAnulty said that was consistent with the intention of the bill, and he was happy to support it.

“I know that the hospitality businesses in Christchurch are very happy about that, because when their stadium opens and people leave, they won’t have to then be kicked out of the hospitality businesses at midnight because it’s Anzac Day the following day.”

McAnulty, a Catholic, was less concerned with religious opposition to the bill, but understood why people might be opposed on health grounds.

“It’s a valid concern, but because the bill only targets those on-licensed premises that are already able to operate, it’s actually not going to expand the number of premises that can provide alcohol. It just means they don’t have to jump through these ridiculous hoops in order to be able to do it.”

This is not the only piece of legislation that would liberalise alcohol trading laws to pass through Parliament this term.

The government is working through its own piece of legislation to allow restaurants with on-site retail spaces to sell take-home alcoholic beverages, if they also sell takeaway food or non-alcoholic beverages prepared by the business.

Luxton’s own member’s bill to repeal alcohol restrictions on Good Friday and Easter Sunday was voted down at first reading in 2024.

Another bill by National’s Stuart Smith to allow winery cellar doors to charge visitors for samples and add off-licence categories for wineries holding an on-licence passed successfully through the House in 2024.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Corrections chief executive Jeremy Lightfoot has been appointed as the new boss of the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport.

Lightfoot, who has held the role since 2020, emailed staff on Wednesday morning saying he wanted to “share some personal news”.

“This has not been an easy decision, and it is not an easy message to write.

“What makes leaving hardest is, without question, the people. Over my time in Corrections, I have had the privilege of working alongside exceptional people in every part of this organisation; people who care deeply, work hard in often demanding circumstances, and make a real difference through the critical work we do each day.”

• Do you know more? Email sam.sherwood@rnz.co.nz

Lightfoot said Corrections was an organisation with a “serious purpose”.

“The work we do matters enormously, for public safety, for the people in our care, for whānau, and for the communities we serve. That sense of purpose, and the commitment of our people to it, is something I will carry with me always.

“After more than six years as chief executive, I believe the time is right to hand over the reins to someone new. There is never a perfect time to leave a role like this, but with some really important foundations now laid, and a clear direction for where the organisation is heading, I believe Corrections is well set for the future”.

Lightfoot said his focus remained on supporting a “good transition, maintaining momentum, and doing all I can to leave the organisation well”.

“I know I will not have the opportunity to see and thank many of you personally before I leave, and I regret that. So, I want to say this now, clearly and sincerely: thank you.

“Thank you for what you do. Thank you for the professionalism, resilience and humanity you bring to this work. And thank you for all you have contributed during my time as chief executive.”

Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche announced Lightfoot as the secretary and chief executive for the new Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport in a statement.

He said the new ministry would “will tackle many of New Zealand’s major economic and environmental challenges, working to unlock the potential of our cities and regions to drive economic growth, resilience and quality of life”.

“The secretary for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport will lead the new ministry, working with local government, Māori, and the private sector to coordinate planning, investment, and regulations to deliver local solutions.”

Sir Brian said Lightfoot was an “impressive, experienced leader with a reputation for delivery”.

“Mr Lightfoot has led large workforces, including front‑line and multi-specialist workers. He knows how to bring that mix of skills together to achieve results,” said Sir Brian.

“He understands how to get policy, funding and delivery working in step and has worked closely with councils, Māori and communities – experience that matters for the challenges the Ministry has been established to address.”

Lightfoot has been appointed for five years and will take up his new role on 27 April.

According to Corrections’ website Lightfoot joined Corrections in May 2010 as the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Director for the Wiri Prison Project where he was responsible for the design, development and procurement of New Zealand’s first PPP to combine design, build, financing and operation of a prison.

“He’s since held various leadership roles within Corrections, including general manager of Finance, Technology and Commercial, and National Commissioner, where he was accountable for the operation of 18 prisons and 165 community corrections sites. Before his appointment as chief executive, he was deputy chief executive, Corrections.

“Jeremy has extensive public sector and commercial experience both in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.”

His departure comes after RNZ earlier revealed Corrections commissioner of custodial services Leigh Marsh was facing an employment investigation in relation to allegations of bullying.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealanders are paying more for their Easter eggs than shoppers across the Tasman, one senior economist says.

Westpac economist Satish Ranchhod has compared the price of Easter treats in New Zealand with those in Australia.

He found a chocolate bunny had the biggest price difference – one that was NZ$9 here was NZ$5.99 in Australia.

A bag of mini chocolate eggs was NZ$7 in New Zealand and the equivalent of NZ$5.39 in Australia.

A 10-pack of chocolate hollow eggs was 73c cheaper in Australia.

Even hot cross buns were 73c cheaper across the ditch. A multi-pack of cream-filled mini chocolate eggs was NZ$1.61 cheaper in Australia.

Only a single cream-filled chocolate egg was cheaper in New Zealand. It was 40c dearer in Australia.

Earlier, RNZ reported that Easter egg prices this year are higher than last year’s, probably on the back of higher prices for ingredients.

Ranchhod said he considered whether the difference in price could be due to GST but that did not seem to explain it.

“It could be that there’s higher import costs in New Zealand, since we’re slightly further away from some of those big markets. But it’s quite surprising that the Aussies are getting these better prices for these sweet treats at Easter.”

He said items seemed to be on special at the same time in both Australia and New Zealand, so it was also not due to different discounts.

Waiting a bit longer could help reduce the price, he said.

“We do tend to get a little bit of last-minute discounting for these items, and if you’re really frugal, maybe you can wait till Tuesday after Easter and pick up a few bargains on those items that didn’t sell.”

Ranchhod said people who wanted chocolate and weren’t worried about what it looked like could save money by buying traditional blocks.

“If we looked at the price of that chocolate, it was still a much better deal to get a block than it was to go get the chocolate eggs or the bunnies. It’s not as much fun, but it’s much better value for money.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand