‘Absolutely flipped it’: Bar owners praise law change for Easter
Monday, 6 April 2026
Hospitality operators are welcoming the news that alcohol can now be served as normal over Easter weekend, with one saying his sales had doubled.
The government passed a member's bill on Thursday, allowing venues to sell alcohol as usual over Easter, Anzac Day and Christmas Day.
Greig Wilson of Epic Hospitality said the law change had been hugely appreciated, with his bars doubling their profits compared with last Easter.
He said the weekend had gone from being one of the worst of the year for bars to one of the best, describing it as a complete turnaround. “Absolutely flipped it.”
“At a time when hospitality needs all the wins it can get, this has come along at a great time.”
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In New Zealand, trade is restricted on Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and until 1pm on Anzac Day.
Previously on these days, customers could only purchase alcohol from bars and restaurants if they were ordering a substantial meal or were residing on the premises.
That would cause sizeable issues, Wilson said - with tourists not understanding why they had to order a large meal like a pizza with their drinks.
He said police occasionally dropped in to check customers’ receipts to ensure alcohol was being served in line with the Act, and some patrons had to be asked to leave just before midnight on Thursday and Saturday.
“Just an absolute circus of a weekend trying to interpret the rules and the law, and trying to enforce it.”
Jose Ubiaga, who owns the Residence and Dakota, said the law change had been a positive one, adding that fewer restrictions were better for everyone.
He said the weekend had been easier without the old restrictions, but because the law was only approved on Thursday, most customers hadn’t realised the rules had changed.
Therefore, foot traffic remained standard for Easter, which was usually quiet. “Unfortunately, it wasn't exactly a really busy one,” he said.
Off-licences - including liquor stores and supermarkets - are still unable to sell alcohol under the current laws.
The Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Sales on Anzac Day Morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas Day) Amendment Act 2026 was submitted by Labour’s Kieran McAnulty.
He said the previous rule had not made any sense, as customers weren’t even required to eat the meal, just purchase it.
The new bill being passed into law meant that over Good Friday and Easter Sunday, people were able to go to the pub with their family and order a drink like on any other day of the year.
“This is a pragmatic change that I know will mean a lot to pubs and clubs across the country - and those that want to enjoy a drink over Easter weekend.”