New Zealand First is introducing a member’s bill to ban the private sale and use of fireworks, citing concerns over harm to pets, the certainty of fires, and the strain on emergency services as reasons that no longer justify their use.
The Fireworks Prohibition Legislation Bill, sponsored by Jenny Marcroft, must be drawn from the ballot before it can be presented to Parliament. It will take the place of the Legislation (Definitions of Woman and Man) Amendment Bill in the ballot.
The bill would prohibit the retail sale, production, and import of fireworks for public use, while still permitting organised public displays.
NZ First Leader Winston Peters said fireworks trigger fires, disrupt emergency services, and negatively affect pets, farm animals, and native wildlife.
He also mentioned that fireworks are a disturbance.
On Guy Fawkes Day, celebrated annually on November 5th in New Zealand, fireworks light up the night sky as families and friends gather to commemorate the historic Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
Peters said people light up fireworks late into the night, well beyond the Guy Fawkes celebration.
“The number of people, at all hours of day and night, not near Guy Fawkes, they’re doing it all of the time, just letting off rockets.”
Responding to criticisms about government overreach, Peters emphasised that the proposed law is not a “freedom issue” because fireworks displays organised by “responsible people” would still be permitted.
“If you were behaving responsibly on this matter, nobody would be complaining.”
“But you and your friends are far too often behaving utterly irresponsibly.”