$448 million for the Matariki holiday

Stuff reports:

Government advice suggests the new Matariki public holiday will cost businesses between $377 – $448 million.

But that advice does not include any potential economic benefits from the new public holiday, set to be introduced from next year.

Labour campaigned on introducing Matariki as New Zealand’s 12th public holiday, arguing New Zealand had fewer public holidays than most other rich nations and should respect the Māori new year at Matariki.

The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment estimated that this would cost the country’s 534,930 businesses up to $448m.

I’m all for Matariki as a holiday, but not as an additional one.

It should have replaced the rather daft Queen’s Birthday.