Auckland Council to consult over private fireworks ban

Thursday, 22 February 2018

Auckland Council voted unanimously to consult Aucklanders on banning the sale of private fireworks.

If central government is going to ban private fireworks, then Auckland Council needs to give something back in return, a community display organiser says.

On Thursday, the council's Governing Body voted unanimously to consult Aucklanders on banning the private sale of fireworks altogether.

However, with public fireworks displays seemingly fizzling out, such a ban would further diminish Aucklanders' chances of enjoying the popular past-time.

For two years in a row, Papakura Lions have been forced to cancel its long running display that used to attract thousands of revellers – claiming red tape and a lack of council funding has killed the event off.

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'I hope Auckland Council will put some resources and energy into public fireworks displays and work with community groups because that way everybody benefits,' Chris Lynch said.

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Lions spokesman Chris Lynch said he's received no assurance from the council that it will fill the fireworks vacuum, should an outright ban on private sales be imposed.

Manukau councillor Efeso Collins says he wants council to investigate funding free public firework displays.

Speaking before council's vote, Lynch said he's 'not confident that the Papakura Local Board and council would be in favour of boosting funding if fireworks were banned – hopefully they'll change their minds'.

Although banning private fireworks was safer for people and animals, people also deserve community building events like public displays funded through local boards, Lynch said.

'It was doable as long as we had financial support from the local board.'

Since last November's fireworks display no-one from the council has approached the Papakura Lions to help resolve funding and bureaucracy problems, Lynch said.

'I haven't heard anything, we haven't been invited to put in an application for the next round of community funding.

'I hope they'll put some resources and energy into public fireworks displays and work with community groups to put those on because that way everybody benefits.'

Albert-Eden-Roskill councillor Cathy Casey, who co-sponsored the original motion with Manukau councillor Efeso Collins, said in August the council would use its required public safety nuisance bylaw consultation with to ask about people about a firework sale ban.

Then, if the ban gets green lit by government, Efeso Collins said he wants council to investigate funding free public firework displays.

'That's the next step, in our report we're endorsing three public displays, if the government moves forward banning the private sale of fireworks, we'll move a further motion that we've got to look at display money.

'Let's treat this as a community development issue, let's support it and help finance it.'

The New Zealand Veterinary Association supports the idea of a public sale ban.

'While we understand that many people enjoy fireworks displays, it is the role of veterinarians to advocate for what is right and good for animals in New Zealand,' its chief veterinary officer Helen Beattie said.

'Animal welfare must always come first, and in this instance, despite human enjoyment, fireworks do not bring a welfare benefit to animals.'

Beattie hopes that changing public attitudes, evidenced by a recent 25,000 signature petition calling for a personal use fireworks ban, will convince the government to act.