Auckland Council are calling for public consultation on banning public firework sales as the SPCA repeats calls for such a ban.
Tonight is Guy Fawkes and fireworks have been on sale to the public since November 2 - the only four days per year on which they can be sold.
The council is asking for public views on whether or not they should put in a request to government to ban the sale of public fireworks, limiting them to public displays or for those who obtain permits.
The council has previously pushed for a ban, saying in February this year they had requested the government ban firework sales to the public.
"The council intends to ask government to ban the public sale of fireworks in response to the related harm and injury to people and animals and the pressure placed on the council, police and emergency and medical services," the council said on its website.
Councillor Linda Cooper, Chair of the Regulatory Committee, said "Auckland Council is concerned about fires, damage, injury or distress to people and animals that can be caused by setting off fireworks in neighbourhood back yards."
The moves come after a large fire near Lake Hawea was sparked by fireworks on Friday last week , burning up to 10 hectares of pine forest and prompting evacuations.
SPCA chief executive Andrea Midgen this morning told TVNZ 1's Breakfast programme that many pets are strongly affected by fireworks, and sometimes to do damage to themselves or to property.
"We hate it ... we so want a ban, because it's not just tonight, it's several nights through the year," she said.
"With your cats and your dogs, make sure they're inside, draw your curtains, keep it dark, put some music on, put the TV on so they don't hear the noise so much.
"Comfort them, because they get really, really stressed and find it quite horrific, hearing all the bangs and flashes."
There were 518 claims made to ACC for fireworks-related injuries in 2016 and more than $254,781 was paid out for these, as well as for some accidents suffered in 2015 or earlier.
Of the 2016 claims, 71 were made for sparklers, which are often given to children as a 'safe option'.
You can have your say on the Auckland Council website here .
SHARE ME