Fire and Emergency urges the public to rethink using fireworks ahead of hotter, drier El Niño

As first responders, we know first-hand how dangerous fireworks can be, causing fires and injuries to the public. With El Niño likely to be bringing hotter, drier and windier conditions to large parts of the country, fireworks pose a serious risk to our communities and the environment.

In the past, we have advocated for a ban on the sale of fireworks to the public at Select Committee hearings, while taking an educational approach with the public, encouraging people to use fireworks safely.

Previous legislative changes have seen individual products prohibited and tightening of controls around the sale of fireworks. These measures have reduced the impact of fireworks on community safety, however our concerns around injury and damage remain.

This year, we are sending a strong public message about the dangers of people letting off fireworks this Guy Fawkes and throughout summer, particularly over the New Year period where we had several fires caused by fireworks last year.

Our approach includes:

• urging people to think carefully before using fireworks, recommending people attend public displays instead
• reminding the public that we’re approaching an El Niño summer, which is likely to bring hotter, drier and windier conditions to the east coasts of both islands – weather conditions where fireworks are particularly dangerous
• pitching National and District interviews to media, running a social media campaign from November through to March 2024, issuing media statements and pitching stories about fireworks-related incidents where appropriate
• supporting calls for further restrictions on the ability to buy fireworks.

We are also approaching partner agencies for a joint communication: Police, ACC, DOC, Forestry Owners Association, Forest and Bird and Federated Farmers.

If you are approached by media for comment, reach out to media@fireandemergency.nz

If you have any questions about our approach to fireworks, please reach out to CRR@fireandemergency.nz