North Shore Times (New Zealand)
Fireworks displays fizzle out
If Aucklanders want to see fireworks this Guy Fawkes they will have to set them off themselves, or travel to the far southern city boundary.
In a Neighbourly.co.nz poll, 81 per cent of 137 North Shore voters agreed that ‘‘yes, we should have a public event’’.
But, since Auckland Council banned fireworks in public places in 2014, celebrations have been restricted to private properties and public events.
On its website, Auckland Council encourages people to find a public Guy Fawkes display. Yet, it is not providing one.
Events manager David Burt said Auckland Council is ‘‘not delivering any’’ firework displays, but local boards could support them.
The Waiuku Blast to the Past event is supported through one of Franklin Local Board’s annual non-contestable funding lines and $5000 has been allocated to the event by the board, Burt said.
Kaipatiki Local Board chairman John Gillon said there used to be a fireworks display on the North Shore at the back of Onewa Domain.
‘‘It is an option, but it’s really expensive and would have to be done with another group,’’ Gillon said. ’’No one has come to us with a proposal.’’
The price of the fireworks appears to the be the largest deterrent, he said.
‘‘Built-up areas make it more tricky but, if we found a suitable spot I personally would be keen to look into it.
‘‘The decline in public display is strange, since Auckland Council has made the move from less private to public - but aren’t providing.’’ Cancellations of fireworks events are happening all over Auckland.
Spooks and Sparks was a popular West Auckland event that could attract 10,000 people, but it was cancelled – because it might rain.
Papakura also cancelled its annual event for the second year in a row, after the local board has not allocated its usual $27,000 funding for the fireworks at Massey Park.
Wellington’s mayor is pulling the plug on the city’s 22-year-old Guy Fawkes festival in favour of the Ma¯ori New Year festival, Matariki.
Fireworks sales will end on the evening of November 5. However, fireworks can be let off at any time.