It's unlikely there will be a special law bending Easter Sunday drinking rules so Kiwis can enjoy a beer a the pub while watching Joseph Parker's heavyweight title fight.
Parker's bout against Anthony Joshua at Cardiff's Principality Stadium falls mid-morning (local time) on the day, when alcohol trading laws are in the hands of local authorities.
Hospitality NZ chief executive Vicki Lee is doubtful there will be an exception made, as there was during the Rugby World Cup.
- Should bars be allowed to serve alcohol, without food, on Easter Sunday?
- Kiwis bend alcohol trading rules by buying on social media
"Under the current sale and supply of alcohol rules, [you can drink in bars and restaurants] one hour before... dining, and once you've eaten you really need to leave quite quickly afterwards... no longer than an hour."
"You have to be going in for the purpose of dining.
"So this [fight] is around 10am or 11am you'd have to be going to have a substantial brunch."
But bars and restaurants can still approach their local council for an exception.
"I guess most of our members will probably apply for a special licence so they can trade as normal. That's one option.
"It was only announced in the last day or so, so we don't have a handle on how many but I'd say a large portion would like to.
"It's up to the local council whether they approve that or not."
Ms Lee says despite the religious holiday, sport could take priority for many.
"Kiwis want to get out and watch their sport. I mean, that's what we do.
"We want people's company, we eat, and we drink. And that's part of socialising in New Zealand."
She says she hopes the law is changed soon.
Newshub.
