New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill that would end the public sale and private use of fireworks nationwide.
The proposed Fireworks Prohibition Legislation Bill would prohibit the retail sale, manufacture, and importation of fireworks for personal use, while still allowing approved public displays to continue.
Party representatives say the move is driven by growing public frustration over the annual damage and disruption caused by fireworks. “The taxpayer should not be spending millions on something that drastically impacts pets, causes the inevitable fires, and causes havoc for our emergency services. Enough is enough,” the statement said.
NZ First argues the misuse of fireworks now far outweighs any benefits. “This is not about being a nanny state,” the party said. “It’s about bringing some common sense into what is a desperately needed conversation about the future of fireworks in our community.”
Several major retailers have already stopped selling fireworks in recent years, and there have been repeated calls from across the country to end public access altogether.
The Bill’s backers say it responds to predictable and preventable costs for ACC, the burden on emergency services, and the distress fireworks cause to farm animals and family pets.
“New Zealand has come to a point where we seriously need to have this conversation and debate,” the party said.
