New Zealand First will campaign on banning the public sale and use of fireworks across New Zealand.
Last year we introduced a members bill to ban fireworks which received tremendous public support. The legislation is already written and ready to go - it will be tabled in parliament within the first hundred days of the next government.
Guy Fawkes is a little less than four weeks away and New Zealand will see once again the multiple damaging effects it will have.
The taxpayer should not be spending millions on something that drastically impacts pets, causes the inevitable fires, and causes havoc for our emergency services. Enough is enough.
The abuse and misuse of fireworks has far outgrown any of the benefits.
This is not about being 'nanny state', this is about bringing some common-sense into what is a desperately needed conversation about the future of fireworks in our community.
Many major retailers have already stopped selling fireworks long ago, and there have been calls from across the country to put a stop to the sale of fireworks completely.
The legislation will stop the retail sale, manufacture, and importation of fireworks for public use. It will still allow approved public displays to continue.
This is a response to what is a hugely predictable and preventable costs for ACC, the huge costs of emergency service call outs, and most importantly stopping the effects reckless use of fireworks has on farm animals and family pets.
