From page 1 // Big bang theory put into action

promise the event will be bigger and better.

Head pyrotechnician Alan Woolstencroft, with the help of his dad, David, and Cody Cuthbertson started planning and preparing for the show in June.

It will, for the first time, feature a synchronised musical soundtrack to be broadcast on 100.3 FM.

The show involves some staggering logistics and costs $15,000.

Woolstencroft said there were 227 individual fireworks, each connected to 1.3 kilometres of wire and a firing box that sends a signal to firing modules through software.

‘‘If they get wet we have to fire them anyway.’’

An exclusion zone with a 300 metre radius on Caroline Bay where the fireworks would be ignited, would be patrolled by security staff, he said.

Woolstencroft asked that people respect the exclusion zone, which would be in place from this morning.

Caroline Bay Association secretary Kevin Fahey said a lot of preparation went into the event as the association had to work alongside authorities including the port, police and aviation.

‘‘There’s a lot of red tape to climb through.’’

Fahey encouraged people to head down early to catch live entertainment at the Soundshell between 9pm and 11pm.

Sergeant Mylen Hamilton, of Timaru, said there was a clear message for revellers. ‘‘Moderate your drinking. ‘‘There’s not much point in getting into arguments and fights, it’s supposed to be a festive time, so step back and think about what you are doing.’’

Hamilton also reminded motorists to slow down on the road.