There's a feeling of joy amongst Wanaka's civic leaders over changes to Easter trading laws.

The Government is set to enable local council's to decide whether retailers can open on Easter Sunday.

Currently it's business as usual for Taupo and Queenstown, while businesses in Wanaka and Rotorua have had to run the gauntlet with the potential of being prosecuted.

Queenstown lakes Deputy Mayor Lyal Cocks said this change is a long time coming.

"Ever since I've been involved in politics in Wanaka I've been involved in various iterations of lobbying and working with the Chamber of Commerce to try and get a law change for certain areas."

Cocks said Wanaka has been hurt over the years by its inability to provide a full holiday experience over Easter Weekend.

"People from all around New Zealand and the world come here and they expect certain levels of service, and it was really damaging our reputation as a wonderful destination."

Rotorua's Chamber of Commerce is also welcoming the Easter trading law change.

Chamber CEO Darrin Walsh said Rotorua has historically been disadvantaged because Queenstown and Taupo have been able to open.

"For some reason Rotorua has been on the outer and hasn't been able to open, which didn't seem to make sense with Rotorua the tourist centre that it is."

Local Government New Zealand President Lawrence Yule said the provision to allow councils to set bylaws will allow religious areas and popular tourist destinations to set rules differently.

"Councils have been asking us for a long time, and would like the ability to set their own bylaws to allow shop trading on a Sunday, but there will be large parts of New Zealand that will want it left exactly as it is."

"That's for each community to decide."