Fireworks and sky lanterns ban on eve of Lunar New Year
Fireworks and sky lanterns have been banned across Canterbury, just as thousands of people get ready to celebrate Chinese New Year.
Lunar New Year is on Saturday, this year marking the move to the Year of the Dragon, with a three-day festival to kick things off at Christchurch’s Hagley Park on Friday.
Lanterns are traditionally used to drive out darkness and bad luck and bring hope to the coming year.
But in the wake of several serious wildfires in the region and hot, dry, windy conditions expected to continue for the next couple of months, Fire and Emergency NZ has banned them until further notice (and North Canterbury is already subject to a total fire ban).
“We urge the public to instead celebrate this occasion at properly organised public events like the New Year Festival event at Hagley Park," Canterbury district commander Dave Stackhouse said.
That event - which will have lanterns, live shows, food stalls, fireworks and more to capture the essence of authentic celebrations in China - will go ahead as planned.
“Pyrotechnics are not part of the ban as these are permitted activity with strict control measures and safety plans,” Stackhouse said.
Read more about Chinese New Year festivities in Christchurch by reporter Wei Shao here (subscription required).
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