The passage of Guy Fawkes Day last week re-ignited the annual debate over fireworks.
Winston Peters joined the battle by lodging a bill that would ban the sale, manufacture and importation of fireworks for private use. “This is not about being ‘nanny state’, this is about bringing some common sense into what is a desperately needed conversation about the future of fireworks in our community,” he said.
The backdrop for his action was the presentation of a number of petitions to Parliament, collectively with around 100,000 names (and ‘pawprints’ as well) in opposition to fireworks.
National’s Associate Minister for the Environment Penny Simmonds says she is “closely monitoring” the situation.
Private sales are permissible just four days a year, yet generate a flurry of police call-outs, injuries and ACC claims, and substantial danger and harm to pets and farm animals. And one would think fire risk might be escalating – certainly in Hawke’s Bay – in these dry times.
The SPCA has vigorously opposed the private use of fireworks over the years, while supportive of “controlled and notified public fireworks displays”.
“Every year, animals across Aotearoa suffer needlessly. Horses, farmed animals, zoo animals, marine life, and wild birds are all affected. It’s time for meaningful change,” says SPCA Chief Executive Todd Westwood.
The SPCA offers advice on keeping animals safe around fireworks here.
A national survey commissioned by AA Insurance in 2023 found 53% of respondents supported a ban on recreational/backyard fireworks, and a further 20% supported a full ban on fireworks altogether.
What’s your view?
Yes to Winston’s Bill!
‘Guy Fawkes’ is a remnant of some long-forgotten strange piece of history and fireworks can bring misery to many animals and their people. It’s more than time to move on.
It’s time to ban the sale of fireworks!
Australia has led the way, and Guy Fawkes day there has no real significance.
Only public displays allowed!
Times have changed, no need for backyard pyrotechnics.
As a nation the lawmakers cant really understand the dangers of fireworks and the harm they cause. The need to be banned from private sale.
Some people save them up and use them at other times in appropriate places — eg at Police. The cost of fireworks is injury, death, a large cost to the tax payer for ACC, hospital, Police and Fire Service. Every year there are unintended fires many caused by wind. Why should people have a few rights to use these dangerous fireworks only to have damaging consequences. It appears if you give people an inch they take a mile. Many people are far too irresponsible to have them. Ban them now and people will be financially better off in our society that people complain about financially struggling.
After seeing what the idiot students were doing shooting fireworks at police on Guy Fawkes night only proves that there is not a case or selling to the public. It needs to stop now. I fully support Winston with his bill and hope this time the select committee will pass it. I have signed every petition for years and watched in disbelief as government have reviewed the petitions and decided that it would disadvantage businesses. How? Most of them do not support sales of fireworks. e.g. The Warehouse etc.
The animals will not have the terror and the fire brigade will not be putting out fires through fireworks again. It has to stop now so no-one can stockpile.
Get rid of the damn things from sale – only allow professionals to put on displays where absolutely necessary – and preferably when the weather does not dry out all the kindling like grass and foliage – maybe save any displays for Matariki. Guy Fawkes has absolutely no relevance to New Zealand and should be taken off the calendar entirely
My dogs have suffered endlessly from the thoughtless letting off of fireworks for weeks on end. No-one enjoying their moments of sparkle at any old time seems aware of, or to care about, the terror they are causing to animals in the houses around them. My best dream is to see private use banned.
No private sales – just public, and safely managed, displays please
What a beautiful time of year Fireworks are wonderful and fantastic pity all the grizzling whingers spoul it. I bought plenty to last the year just to piss them off
Dogs cats humans
No one’s happy
Fireworks are fun exciting
To many sad sacks.
Love guyfawkes