Calls for city councils to also abide by the rules when it comes to trading rules today

Despite Easter Sunday not being a public holiday, current legislation stops shops from operating, unless their local Council's given permission for them to open.

Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Palmerston North and Hamilton all have restrictions on businesses.

Retail NZ Chief Executive Greg Harford says the rules are well past their expiry date.

He says on one hand major city councils are stopping shops from operating, and on the other, the same councils are operating many of their own facilities including swimming pools.