Rotorua eateries ignore surcharges this Waitangi Day

Anyone wanting to pop out for a meal on Waitangi Day can easily avoid surcharges on the public holiday.

Most of the cafes and restaurants spoken to by The Daily Post said they wouldn't be charging a surcharge on Waitangi Day or any other public holiday because they covered those days in their annual budgets.

Of the 28 cafes or restaurants called, only one said they would have a surcharge, two didn't want to comment, four would close for the day and the rest said they wouldn't add a surcharge.

The duty manager at Capers Epicurean, who didn't want to be named, told The Daily Post they charged a 15 per cent surcharge to cover operating costs. The duty manager also said they wouldn't open until 9am tomorrow.

Fat Dog Cafe and Bar manager Martin Kroese said they "never do a surcharge".

"The main reason is, A; because we incorporate the costs of time-and-a-half into our budgets every year," Mr Kroese said.

He also didn't think a surcharge was fair to their customers.

John Knight, who owns Triple 1 Five, said he also incorporated the costs involved with public holidays throughout the year.

"It's [a surcharge] just not necessary," he said.

Mr Knight believed it was a popular move too.

"I do know there is more and more not having them [surcharges]. That seems to be the trend."

All cafe and restaurant owners can set a surcharge on public holidays. The Commerce Commission says an employer may be entitled to impose a surcharge on any day when employees must get more than a normal day's pay.

Surcharges date back to 2003 when the Labour Government changed the Holidays Act, which raised the cost of employing people on statutory days.

Waitangi Day

Capers Epicurean - Surcharge of 15 per cent

Robert Harris Cafe - Did not want to comment

Lewishams - Closed on public holidays

Third Place Cafe - Closed on public holidays

Le Cafe de Paris - Closed

Abracadabra - Was not open for business yesterday when we called

Katsubi - No surcharge

Ciccio Italian Cafe - Did not want to comment

Triple 1 Five - No Surcharge on public holiday

Hennessy's Irish Bar - No surcharge on public holidays

Shed Bar - No surcharge on public holidays

McDonald's - No surcharge

Pizza Hutt Dine-in Restaurant - No surcharge

Lime Caffeteria - No surcharge on public holidays

Fat Dog Cafe & Bar - No surcharge on public holidays

Indian Star Tandoori Restaurant - No surcharge

Lady Janes - No surcharge

Seismic Gastrobar - No surcharge

Atlas Restaurant (Novotel) - No surcharge on public holidays

Cafe Ephesus - No charge on public holidays

Solace Cafe and Restaurant - No surcharge

Macs Steaks - No surcharge on public holidays

Pig and Whistle - No surcharge

Mecca Kebabs - No surcharge on public holidays

Zippy Central - No surcharge

Lone Star - No surcharge

Great Kiwi Ale House - Closed

Urbano Bistro - Closed