Think of others and use fireworks safely this Guy Fawkes season
Guy Fawkes is just around the corner and with fireworks going on sale in Tamāki Makaurau, here’s a reminder on the rules and tips, so you, your friends and whānau can enjoy fireworks safely.
Aotearoa New Zealand has strict rules around the purchase and sale of fireworks. They’re sold for four days leading up to and including Guy Fawkes (2 to 5 November 2024). Not just anyone can buy fireworks – you must be 18 years old and have a valid ID.
Councillor Josephine Bartley, chair of Auckland Council’s Regulatory and Community Safety Committee urges people letting off fireworks to be mindful of others.
“Some Aucklanders enjoy the Guy Fawkes season, but for others it can be an unsettling and worrying time.
“Fireworks can be enjoyed on private property in Tamāki Makaurau, but please be aware that others, including your neighbours may not enjoy the sound and sight of them and pets can also be distressed by them.”
“By all means enjoy fireworks in a safe and responsible manner, but please be respectful to others who may not share your enthusiasm for fireworks.”
“Auckland Council has long held the view that central Government should ban the private sale of fireworks, and has taken opportunities in the past to present this view.”
Enjoying fireworks safely and responsibly
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Fireworks can only be let off on private property.
It is not legal to light fireworks on council-controlled land, such as parks and beaches, across the whole of Tāmaki Makaurau.
Lighting fireworks is also prohibited in forests, conservation areas and on road surfaces, berms or footpaths on your street.
The Tūpuna Maunga Authority will close public access to 14 maunga across Tāmaki Makaurau from Saturday 2 November 2024 to Tuesday 5 November 2024 to protect them from fires. This is the sixth year in a row the Authority has closed our maunga.
Make sure yourself and others stand well back from fireworks once they are lit.
Inform your neighbours if possible and avoid using fireworks after 10pm.
Have water or a fire extinguisher handy.
Read and follow fireworks handling instructions carefully.
Do not light fireworks in windy or dry conditions.
Do not point fireworks at any person, animal, property or vegetation.
Always have a responsible adult present.
Keep pets inside or move animals to avoid stress.
On rural private land during Guy Fawkes (2-5 November) bonfires are allowed but must be lit during daylight hours and extinguished before nightfall. During a Restricted Fire Season a permit is need from Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
Sky lanterns, also known as Chinese lanterns, are a fire risk when left to fly away. They must be secured.
Don’t store fireworks after Guy Fawkes as it’s hard to know if they’ll be safe to use at a later date.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand advises visiting its website for restrictions and fire safety advice.
Looking out for pets during Guy Fawkes
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Elly Waitoa, Auckland Council Animal Management Manager says people should be extra mindful of their pets during the days leading up to Guy Fawkes and the day itself.
“Pets can be extremely sensitive to the sounds and light produced by fireworks. They can react negatively and become distressed.”
“Organise a safe place inside for your pets and pay extra care to them during this time.
“Please ensure your pets are safe and well confined if you aren’t at home with them during the Guy Fawkes period.”
Ms Waitoa also says the time around Guy Fawkes usually sees an increase in the number of dogs entering council animal shelters.
“Make sure your dog is registered and microchipped. This will make it easier for you to be reunited with your dog if it gets lost.”
Think about where you let off fireworks
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Taryn Crewe, Auckland Council’s General Manager Parks and Community Facilities says Aucklanders should give some thought to where they let off fireworks.
“I hope people have a safe and enjoyable time letting off fireworks on their own property.”
“Please be aware that using fireworks in parks and on beaches across Auckland is not allowed.”
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ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2024/10/think-of-others-and-use-fireworks-safely-this-guy-fawkes-season
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⚠️ DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS. If you love them, don't leave them. ⚠️
It's a message we share time and time again, and this year, we're calling on you to help us spread that message further.
Did you know that calls to SPCA about dogs left inside hot cars made up a whopping 11% of all welfare calls last summer? This is a completely preventable issue, and one which is causing hundreds of dogs (often loved pets) to suffer.
Here are some quick facts to share with the dog owners in your life:
👉 The temperature inside a car can heat to over 50°C in less than 15 minutes.
👉 Parking in the shade and cracking windows does little to help on a warm day. Dogs rely on panting to keep cool, which they can't do in a hot car.
👉 This puts dogs at a high risk of heatstroke - a serious condition for dogs, with a mortality rate between 39%-50%.
👉 It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act to leave a dog in a hot vehicle if they are showing signs of heat stress. You can be fined, and prosecuted.
SPCA has created downloadable resources to help you spread the message even further. Posters, a flyer, and a social media tile can be downloaded from our website here: www.spca.nz...
We encourage you to use these - and ask your local businesses to display the posters if they can. Flyers can be kept in your car and handed out as needed.
This is a community problem, and one we cannot solve alone. Help us to prevent more tragedies this summer by sharing this post.
On behalf of the animals - thank you ❤️
Have you ever been wrongly ticketed?
A Wellington man was wrongly issued a parking fine and spent over 40 hours going back and forward with Hutt City Council about it.
Have you ever been unfairly fined?
The Guardian of the Forest - Day 25
In the heart of Aotearoa, nestled between rolling hills and misty forests, there lived a young Māori warrior named Tahu. He was known for his deep respect for the land, the trees, the birds, and the rivers that nourished his people. Tahu was not only skilled in hunting and combat but was also revered for his unwavering dedication to the customs and values of his iwi (tribe).
One day, Tahu discovered that a group of outsiders had been illegally taking wood from the sacred forest, a place known as Te Ngahere o Te Wairua. This forest was not just a source of resources but was the living embodiment of the ancestors’ spirits and the protector of the land. The elders had always taught that the forest must be respected and that only what was necessary for survival could be taken, and only with the blessing of the land’s guardian spirits.
Angered by the violation, Tahu knew that he had to act. He approached the tribe’s council and spoke of the need to protect the forest and uphold the values that had kept his people strong for generations. The elders, impressed by his commitment, bestowed upon him the responsibility of guarding the forest and teaching others the importance of kaitiakitanga (guardianship).
Days turned into weeks, and Tahu continued to patrol the forest, reminding the people of the stories and teachings that had been passed down. Yet, he knew that protecting the forest wasn’t just about confronting those who came with axes and saws, it was about instilling a sense of respect and understanding in others. He spoke of the ancestral spirits that watched over them and how they would only protect those who treated the forest as sacred.
One day, an outsider came to Tahu, seeking permission to take wood. Tahu, with a calm but resolute voice, told him, “Ko te tikanga ka tiakina e te tangata e tiaki ana i te tikanga. The values we uphold protect us, but only if we guard them with our actions.” The man, who had come for profit, was taken aback by Tahu’s words and the solemnity in his eyes. He realised that he had come to the forest not as a guest but as an intruder.
With newfound understanding, the man left and vowed to spread word of the forest’s importance to others. Over time, the message reached more and more people, and they began to see the forest not as a resource to exploit, but as a living being to respect. Tahu’s actions inspired not just his own iwi but all the tribes around them to practice kaitiakitanga and live in harmony with the land.
Moral of the Story:
The story of Tahu teaches us that "Ko te tikanga ka tiakina e te tangata e tiaki ana i te tikanga” — those who protect and uphold their values will find that those values will protect them in return. By living with respect and honouring the traditions and sacredness of the world, we invite protection and guidance, fostering a community bound by trust and
harmony.
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