An MP whose bill on Easter trading has been narrowly defeated says the issue that will not go away.
Rotorua National MP Todd McClay was three votes short when the bill was put to a conscience vote on Wednesday. The vote was lost 62-59.
He told Parliament it is a nonsense that shops in Taupo can open, but those in nearby Rotorua can't, and the same applies with Queenstown and Wanaka in the south.
The bill would have given local councils discretion with respect to shop trading hours within their jurisdiction.
Mr McClay says he and other MPs come under a lot of pressure over the Easter trading issue and will keep bringing legislation back to the House until it's resolved.
