Retail NZ says it's time to drag the Easter Trading laws into the 21 century, to reflect the fact that people can shop 24 seven from the comfort of their homes.

Trading laws are 25 years old and the group is signalling it's time it was reviewed.

Spokesman Greg Harford says shops should be able to open as well.

Despite facing $1000 fines some retailers are planning to defy the law and open tomorrow.

"Some garden centres are allowed to open, some shops are allowed to open and others are not. The whole thing really is a complete mess and it's time that it was reviewed."

Harford says the law was put in place before the wide use of the internet.

"The current law's significantly out of date, the fines are out of date and we think it's time really time to bring shop trading hours in to the 21st century.

"[We need to] reflect the fact that people can shop 24/7 from the comfort of their homes and...shops should be able to open as well if they want to do so."

A rebellious garden centre chain is again preparing to defy the Government's Easter trading laws.

Oderings, which owns stores nationwide, has broken the rules since the introduction of the Shop Trading Hours Repeal Act in 1990.

Oderings director Darryn Odering says they will be opening all 10 of their stores, five in Christchurch and five in the North Island.

"We're going to be open all weekend as we have since 1972 so I think it's a law that is outdated and I think times have changed."

Odering believes the laws are completely behind on the times.

"The law is archaic and I think people should have a choice to do what they like."

SPECIAL DAYS

There are 4 "sacrosanct" days when almost all shops in New Zealand are required to be closed under the Shop Trading Hours Repeal Act 1990. They are: Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Anzac Day – until 1pm.