The history of New Zealand shop trading hours

Abstract

PurposeThis historical narrative aims to analyse the changes in shop trading hour laws in New Zealand, to explore the reasons behind the acceptance of Sunday trading. It compares New Zealand's experience with the USA and the UK.Design/methodology/approachA historical methodology was used in this paper. Historical methods used to collect the data which form this historical narrative include document analysis, literature reviews and in‐depth interviews.FindingsThe narrative uncovers that New Zealand more closely mirrors the experience of the UK with Sunday trading laws, however, less emphasis on religious aspects of the law may have contributed to New Zealand's acceptance of the law before the UK.Research limitations/implicationsThe historical narrative focuses on New Zealand with a less in‐depth discussion of the USA and the UK. Further historical narratives into these other countries would allow for a deeper comparison between countries.Originality/valueSunday trading is seen as out of the ordinary in many parts of the world and New Zealand was one of the earliest countries to introduce it. This paper explores how New Zealand came to introduce Sunday trading after the USA, but before its forebear – the UK.