Summarised by Centrist
The government has rejected a cross-party parliamentary committee’s recommendation to ban the public sale and private use of fireworks.
The Petitions Committee considered three petitions backed by nearly 100,000 signatures and heard from Fire and Emergency New Zealand, the SPCA and veterinary organisations.
The government acknowledged harm to people, animals and property, but said prohibition went too far.
“While a ban would more directly address these risks, it would also remove access to a long-standing and widely used lawful activity,” its response said.
It said the status quo balanced harm reduction with “the importance of maintaining individual choice”.
SPCA chief scientific officer Dr Arnja Dale called the decision “profoundly disappointing”.
Dale argued that organised public displays would allow celebrations to continue without the unpredictable effects of private fireworks. The SPCA says animals can panic, flee, injure themselves or experience prolonged anxiety.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said his party would pursue a ban after the election.
“I can tell you, that’s going to be fixed up as soon as we get the chance,” he said.
ACT leader David Seymour defended the existing rules despite acknowledging the harm and anxiety fireworks could cause.
“But just for a few days a year, at the start of the summer, let’s just keep something of the Kiwi childhood, please?” he said.
