Government rejects fireworks ban despite committee call and 100,000-signature petition

The Government will not ban public fireworks sales, keeping current rules in place. Parliament's Petitions Committee — a cross-party group of MPs who review public petitions — recommended a ban in April after three petitions totalling nearly 100,000 signatures. Fire and Emergency NZ, the SPCA and veterinary groups supported a ban. SPCA's Dr Arnja Dale called the decision "profoundly disappointing."