A recent survey has found that a majority of Kiwis want to see backyard fireworks banned or fireworks banned entirely ahead of Guy Fawkes this Sunday.
The survey, conducted by AA Insurance, found that 53% of those surveyed want to see fireworks banned for recreational use, with a further 20% wanting to see them banned altogether.
Animal welfare, fire risk, injuries, social disruption and irresponsible use were people's main reasons for wanting to see them banned.
"The topic of fireworks and their effects has long been debated, and it appears that nearly three-quarters of Kiwis now want a ban in place for recreational or 'backyard' use, at least," Tom Bartlett, head of home claims at AA Insurance, said.
He is urging Kiwis to light fireworks "responsibly" this Sunday on Guy Fawkes night — especially since the weather is getting drier.
"Backyard fireworks, often around a campfire, increase the risk of things going wrong, including personal injury and flames getting out of control," Bartlett said.
"Setting off fireworks too close to your home can cause them to potentially hit other parts of the house, resulting in damage or burn marks, as well denting cars.
"We don't want any of our customers to be in a situation where they get hurt or lose irreplaceable items due to a seemingly fun fireworks activity taking a turn for the worst."
Fresh calls for bans often accompany Guy Fawkes night. Yesterday, the SPCA called for fireworks to be made illegal, saying they are a risk to animal welfare.
"Research shows that fireworks can have both short and long-term impacts on bird populations, from the initial panic causing birds to flee an area or even death to long-term impacts on breeding success," SPCA's scientific officer Alison Vaughan said.
"A survey of horse guardians in New Zealand also found that 35% of respondents reported having horses break through a fence in response to fireworks, and more than a quarter of respondents reported horses sustaining injuries."
This was backed up by the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA), which said both vets and owners are bracing for fireworks impacts.
"I've even seen dogs run through glass doors to escape, and horses are frequently in the news for running into fences, sometimes causing irreversible trauma to their limbs. We know there are also negative impacts on wildlife and marine mammals," NZVA head of veterinary services Sally Cory said.
Auckland's Tūpuna Maunga Authority said this morning they would be closing the region's 14 mountains after successive Guy Fawkes fires in 2019 and 2020.
It too is calling on the government to ban fireworks.
"As long as fireworks are publicly available, we are left with no choice but to restrict access to avoid more massive fires and the enormous damage they cause," chairperson Paul Majurey said.
"The Maunga are a significant taonga to Mana Whenua and the people of Tāmaki Makaurau. These closures help protect the Maunga by eliminating fire damage. By reducing the risk of fires, we uphold the paramount historical, spiritual, ancestral, and cultural identity of the Tūpuna Maunga."
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