Inconsiderate use of fireworks causes outrage among central Auckland residents

Loud fireworks heard from Sandringham to Westmere at 4am last Friday have sparked outrage among inner-city dwellers, according to a post on Neighbourly.co.nz.

The incident, and others like it, has prompted some Auckland residents to renew calls for a total ban on the private use of fireworks.

Fireworks are set off in the night at least once a fortnight between the hours of 2am and 5am, according to Sandringham resident Bret Glazer.

“You get a bit startled as to what the hell is going on because some of these fire crackers sound like damn gun shots,” said Mr Glazer.

Mr Glazer was surprised people ranging from Westmere to Sandringham had heard the bangs.

“Banning fireworks in New Zealand, apart from public displays, would be a great solution,” says Mr Glazer.

Another frustrated resident said the timing of the big bangs was a big part of the problem. “When they go off at that time in the morning noise travels a hell of a long way,” said Grey Lynn resident Hugh Lloyd.

“No one really knows who is setting them off. . . it’s a pretty big geographical area to pin point where they’re from,” said Mr Lloyd.

According to the Environmental Protection Authority, fireworks can only be purchased in the four days leading up to Guy Fawkes, but can be used throughout the year.

While there are restrictions around setting them off in public places, fireworks can be used on private properties.

Wellington resident Ken Cox has been petitioning for a nation-wide ban on the private sale of fireworks in New Zealand for about two years and said via email that he is “fed up with the use of fireworks in suburbia”.

He said public use of fireworks result in safety issues for both people and animals, but so far the Government has turned a blind eye.

“The only reason these dangerous items are still sold in New Zealand is because too many people are making money,” said Mr Cox.

New Zealand Fire Services Assistant Area Commander Geoff Purcell said they too have been advocating for a ban of residential fireworks.

“We have had several of house fires over the past few years that have been caused by kids and youth getting access to fireworks,” said Mr Purcell.

“If everybody were sensible and there were no idiots out there we could have public fireworks, no problem, if everyone took precautions and wasn’t stupid with them,” said Mr Purcell.