August 2, 2020 3:00pm by David Farrar

Let’s replace Labour Day with Matariki

The Labour Party has thrown its support behind the campaign to make Matariki a public holiday, but not all the country’s major parties are in favour.
MP Nanaia Mahuta, the minister for Māori development and local government, told Stuff the party would need to seek advice regarding an appropriate date before making it official.
“Labour would be supportive of recognising Matariki as a public holiday. We would need to seek advice perhaps at the select committee to consider the most appropriate date.”

I’m all for having Matariki as a public holiday but opposed to struggling employers being forced to fund additional paid leave.

So the obvious answer is replace an existing public holiday with Matariki. Either Labour Day or Queen’s Birthday.