What's open on Easter Sunday 2027?
Sunday, 28 March 2027
Stores and services
KmartDiscount department storeDependsLiquorlandLiquor storeClosedMitre 10Hardware & gardenDependsNew WorldSupermarketDependsNoel LeemingElectronics & appliancesDepends
NZ PostMail deliveryClosed
PAK'nSAVESupermarketDepends
Rebel SportSporting goodsDependsSuper LiquorLiquor storeClosedThe WarehouseGeneral merchandiseDependsWarehouse StationeryStationery & techDepends
WoolworthsSupermarketDependsAbout Easter Sunday 2027
Easter Sunday, Sunday, 28 March 2027, isn't a public holiday, but it's one of New Zealand's restricted shop trading days.
Under the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990, shops must stay closed unless they're an exempt type (such as a dairy, service station, pharmacy or takeaway), a garden centre, or in an area where the local council has adopted an Easter Sunday shop trading policy. Councils decide this district by district, and shop staff can refuse to work on Easter Sunday.
Even where a council allows shops to open, off-licences such as supermarkets and liquor stores can't sell alcohol on Easter Sunday. Bars and restaurants with an on-licence can serve alcohol as normal since a law change in April 2026.
Sources: Employment New Zealand: Public holidays and anniversary dates (2026 and 2027) · Shop Trading Hours Act 1990, sections 3, 4, 4A and 4B (restricted trading days and exemptions) · Shop Trading Hours Act 1990, section 5A (local Easter Sunday shop trading policies) · Employment New Zealand: Working and trading on Easter Sunday · Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Sales on Anzac Day Morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas Day) Amendment Act 2026 (new section 48: off-licences) · Ministry of Justice: Changes to alcohol sales on restricted trading days (in force 3 April 2026)
The rules for this day
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Public holiday? | No |
| Shops must close? | Depends Yes, unless your council has an Easter Sunday shop trading policy covering your area. Garden centres and exempt shops may open. |
| Alcohol from off-licences? | Closed No sales all day (Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, s 48). |
Sources
- Employment New Zealand: Public holidays and anniversary dates (2026 and 2027) · checked 16 October 2026
- Shop Trading Hours Act 1990, sections 3, 4, 4A and 4B (restricted trading days and exemptions) · checked 16 October 2026
- Shop Trading Hours Act 1990, section 5A (local Easter Sunday shop trading policies) · checked 16 October 2026
- Employment New Zealand: Working and trading on Easter Sunday · checked 16 October 2026
- Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Sales on Anzac Day Morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas Day) Amendment Act 2026 (new section 48: off-licences) · checked 16 October 2026
- Ministry of Justice: Changes to alcohol sales on restricted trading days (in force 3 April 2026) · checked 16 October 2026
Questions
When is Easter Sunday 2027?
Easter Sunday 2027 is on Sunday, 28 March 2027.
Is Easter Sunday 2027 a public holiday?
No. Easter Sunday isn't a public holiday, but it's a restricted shop trading day.
Are shops closed on Easter Sunday 2027?
Yes, unless your council has an Easter Sunday shop trading policy covering your area. Garden centres and exempt shops may open.
Is there mail on Easter Sunday 2027?
There's no letterbox mail delivery on Easter Sunday, Sunday, 28 March: NZ Post delivers in cities and towns on Monday, Wednesday and Friday or on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and to rural addresses Monday to Friday, so never on a Sunday.