Three in five Kiwis want fireworks banned for private use

A survey of 500 New Zealanders run by Kantar, reveals 59% would like fireworks completely banned for private sale and use.

Another 15% would like sales further restricted, such as reducing the volumes able to be bought, fewer types being available, or being available for a shorter time period. This means three quarters are in favour of further restricting or banning fireworks for private use.

Only one in five wanted private sales to continue in the same way as it is now, with another 5% wanting to extend sales to other times of the year.

The desire for banning fireworks is consistent across ages, genders and regions in New Zealand, with only younger New Zealanders (18-34) having less than a majority in support of banning (47%).

The effect on animals is the key reason for people wanting to restrict or ban fireworks, with 89% citing this as a reason. Next most common is the risk of personal injury at 70%, and the generally annoying nature of fireworks at 43%.

David Thomas, Kantar NZ Chief Commercial Officer, comments that the level of public debate about fireworks has intensified as Guy Fawkes Day approached.

“Kiwis are speaking up and making their feelings heard with their desire to shift away from the current arrangements for marking Guy Fawkes Day.”

The survey was of a nationally representative sample of 500 New Zealanders over 18, conducted on Kantar’s Standpoints panel on November 5^th.