Fireworks: Is public place ban going far enough? – Editorial

Jokes aside – it’s clear which is which.

Auckland banned fireworks in public places more than a decade ago, effectively restricting locals to using them on private property. Wellington also has strong restrictions.

Now Tauranga City Council is this week one step closer to a ban on use of fireworks in public places, voting to proceed to public consultation on the move.

As with many communities, it’s an issue that ignites passions.

Over the past year, the Bay of Plenty Times has spoken to local horse owners whose animals have had to be put down following fireworks incidents.

Ōropi resident Chris Rugaas had to put down her breeding stallion Rockafella after he was spooked by fireworks and was injured bolting through a wire fence. She said she could not understand why people in New Zealand celebrated Guy Fawkes, which originated in Britain.

Rugaas said there was “overwhelming evidence” fireworks sales to the general public should cease.

In this week’s council meeting, Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale said while he supported the local ban going to public consultation, he would prefer a wider solution.

“I’d like to probably see potentially a national ban, rather than us trying to do this.”

Such a ban couldn’t come soon enough.

Fireworks have their pros and cons. They bring spectacle, fun and enjoyment and are synonymous with celebration across many cultures. But the harm their private use causes to animals, people and property far outweighs their benefits.

The Ministry for the Environment’s annual update on the regulation of fireworks in New Zealand, released towards the end of last year, details the adverse effects of retail fireworks.

It notes there were 166 fires caused by fireworks in 2024 (102 of those in November), a 56% increase on the previous year, and 1627 calls to police about fireworks, a slight lift on the previous year.

ACC figures do show a drop in the number of claims, from 341 to 286, though the cost of those injuries rose in that year. The top three most common injuries are burns, laceration/puncture/sting and soft-tissue injuries.

The SPCA says thousands of animals are traumatised, and many injured, by fireworks every year.

In an April report this year, Parliament’s petitions committee detailed its findings from considering three petitions on the public sale of fireworks.

Its key recommendation to the Government was that the public sale and private use of fireworks be banned.

The committee noted public sentiment was shifting.

“We consider that present generations have more information about, and therefore take more seriously, the effects of fireworks on animal welfare than previous generations may have done.”

The Government has until the end of next month to respond.

Meanwhile, a New Zealand First member’s bill introduced in November has yet to be drawn from the ballot.

The Fireworks Prohibition Legislation Bill would ban the public sale and use of fireworks. It would still allow approved public displays to continue. And to be fair, professional displays aren’t the problem. They play an important role in cultural celebrations.

Letting any idiot have access to explosive, pyrotechnic devices is the problem.

Drysdale, the select committee and NZ First are right – a national ban is needed.

While a local ban on use in public places is a good first step, the sooner public sale and private use stop, the better.

It’s a no-brainer.