What you need to know about fireworks sales, bans and pets this Guy Fawkes

Interpreter – As another Guy Fawkes Night approaches, you may be wondering when fireworks go on sale, where they are banned and how to protect stressed pets. Here’s what you need to know.

What is Guy Fawkes Night?

For many Kiwis, the very English origins of this quaint annual event have been lost in the mists of time.

In fact, Guy Fawkes Night commemorates the arrest on November 5, 1605, of the titular Fawkes, part of a group of English Catholics who had attempted to assassinate the Protestant King James I and blow up the House of Lords in what became known as the Gunpowder Plot. . Post-Reformation England was still quite raucous on religious matters, and in later years the public was allowed to celebrate the survival of the king and mark the execution of the popes by lighting bonfires and fireworks.

Even today, in parts of Britain, scarecrow-like effigies of Fawkes, the Pope and unpopular politicians are carefully crafted and then dumped on public bonfires. Bonfire Night in Lewes is particularly spectacular, as community groups dress up and walk through the icy streets of the historic Sussex town, many carrying barrels of burning tar on their way to the fireworks.

In Aotearoa there have recently been calls to “remember, remember November 5” by marking the date as the invasion of Parihaka in Taranaki by colonial forces.

When and where can I buy fireworks for a Guy Fawkes party at home?

In New Zealand, the sale of fireworks is limited to just four days a year, from Saturday, November 2 to Tuesday, November 5.

Some stores offer a click and collect service, but the person collecting them must be over 18 years old and show valid ID.

For a long time, the Warehouse was Aotearoa’s go-to for rockets and sparklers. The company stopped selling them in 2021However, they said they did not reflect the company’s values ​​and that most customers preferred public displays.

Now you can find them in stores and roadside stands such as Crackerjack, Cracker Shack, Online Fireworks, Pyro Company, Boom Brothers and Litworks.

Where can I light fireworks?

Most councils in New Zealand allow fireworks to be used on private property all year round, provided you have the owner’s permission.

Josephine Bartley, chair of Auckland Council’s regulatory and community safety committee, said while Guy Fawkes was enjoyable for some, it could be an unsettling and worrying time for others.

“Please be aware that others, including your neighbors, may not enjoy the sound and sight of them and pets may also be affected.”

“By all means, enjoy fireworks in a safe and responsible manner, but be respectful of others who may not share your enthusiasm for fireworks.”

The council has long campaigned for a ban on the private purchase and use of fireworks, she said.

Where are fireworks prohibited?

If you want to set off fireworks outdoors, you’re probably out of luck.

Between November 2 and 5, bonfires are permitted on private land in rural areas, but a permit may be required if your area has a restricted fire season.

Each year, Fire and Emergency NZ bans the private use of fireworks in certain areas. The The current list can be found on the website.

In most municipal areas, the use of fireworks and bonfires is prohibited on all beaches and public parks.

In Auckland, the ban extends to forests, nature reserves and roadsides, including any verges, footpaths or the street itself.

And in line with recent yearsthe Tūpuna Maunga Authority is blocking public access to all 14 mountains and volcanic cones around Auckland from Saturday, November 2 until Guy Fawkes Night to protect them from fires.

The maunga – including One Tree Hill, North Head, Mt Roskill and Mt Albert – is closed from 6pm until normal gate opening hours the following morning.

Authority chairman Paul Majurey said security teams would patrol the ancestral maunga during this period to remind the public of the restrictions.

There will be road access to Muriwai Beach, in north-west Auckland closed to all vehicles from November 2 to 11 this yearto limit the fire risk, according to the council.

Can I buy fireworks now and set them off later in the year?

There is nothing to stop people from setting off fireworks every night of the year, and they often appear in our skies for sporting events, concerts, cultural events such as Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights and New Year’s Eve, as well as the new moon. Year.

However, it is not recommended to store fireworks for long periods as it can be difficult to know if they are still safe.

How do I light fireworks safely?

If you have to ask, the short answer is: don’t.

FENZ says there should always be a responsible adult nearby when fireworks are involvedand they should not be lit in windy or dry conditions.

Of course, keep children and animals safe, don’t point fireworks at people, property, plants or pets, choose a spot away from anything that could catch fire and stand back once they’re lit.

Have water or a fire extinguisher ready in case missiles go astray; roof fires are common these days. And dispose of them safely, for example by soaking them in a bucket of water before throwing them in the trash.

Where can I see public fireworks shows?

The number of public events specifically for Guy Fawkes has decreased in New Zealand. You are more likely to see fireworks related to council-organised events around Christmas and New Year.

This year’s public events include (entrance fees apply):

• Whangārei Fireworks Spectacular, Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei, 6pm-9pm, Saturday 2 November
• Fireworks spectacular, Waikaraka Family Speedway, Onehunga, Auckland 7pm – 10pm, Saturday 2 November
• Blast in the Park, Anderson Park, Havelock North, 5.30pm – 9.15pm, Friday 1 November.
• Meeanee Speedway Fireworks Night, Napier, 6.30pm, November 2.
• Coca-Cola Fireworks, Nelson Speedway, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM, November 2.

Anyone holding an indoor or outdoor fireworks show should have this written permission from Fire and Emergency Department.

You must allow FENZ eight working days to process your permit application.

How can we protect our pets from fireworks-induced stress?

Guy Fawkes can be hell for fur parents, whose puppies, cats or ponies end up trembling in a corner or galloping around in panic – and the SPCA has long called for a ban on the private sale and use of fireworks.

This year RNZ and the SPCA are organizing a special Guy Fawkes Concert for Animalswith music specially selected to calm your pets.

Broadcast free on November 5, Concert for Animals aims to reduce the harm fireworks can cause by playing a range of music to calm, engage and enrich animals.

If that doesn’t calm your dog or cat, SPCA scientific officer Dr. Alison Vaughan recommends talking to your vet now about possible medications, and making sure pets are inside after dark to prevent them from running away.

Are fireworks dangerous?

Every year, hospitals report injuries related to fireworks displays – public or private.

Last year fireworks at the Waikaraka Speedway in Auckland landed in the crowd and burned spectators.

Video captured in the stands showed people shouting “get down” and “help” as the fireworks hit them.

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