Vets welcome NZ First fireworks bill

MEDIA RELEASE
Published on 5 November 2025.

The New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA) welcomes NZ First’s private members’ Bill to ban the public sale and use of fireworks.

Kevin Bryant, Chief Executive of the NZVA, says party leader Winston Peter’s announcement is a major step forward for animal welfare in New Zealand and the safety and wellbeing of communities and the environment.

“The NZVA has long advocated for legislation to address the unmanaged use, misuse and abuse of fireworks in our communities that every year poses significant risks to our pets, wildlife and livestock.

“We heartily congratulate Minister Peters and New Zealand First for finally bringing common sense to the issue with this Bill.”

The Fireworks Prohibition Legislation Bill would stop the retail sale, manufacture and importation of fireworks for private use while allowing public displays to continue.

Mr Bryant says this aligns with what NZVA members as veterinary professionals are calling for with an outright ban on public sales of fireworks, coupled with licensed, professionally managed public displays.

“We look forward to working with Minister Peters and NZ First to progress this Bill and ensure that everyone can enjoy fireworks safely and in a way that looks out for our pets, livestock and wildlife.”

The NZVA is one of many organisations advocating for a ban on public sale of fireworks and last year joined 93,248 human signatures (and 79,904 pet "signatures") in a petition by Animates Vetcare NZ calling on the House of Representatives to do so.

The petition was presented to the select committee in May this year and the NZVA has responded by way of a written submission on behalf of its members and is presenting orally to the select committee on Thursday 6 November.

ENDS

Also see NZVA media release: Vets continue call for ban on fireworks sales

For more information contact media@vets.org.nz