Fireworks ban divides parties as NZ First promises law in 100 days
The Animal Law Association says it is disappointed that Labour and National will not back a ban on fireworks.
The criticism was reported in RNZ's live coverage of the election campaign on 9 October, as the major parties campaigned for votes in Auckland that weekend. It leaves Labour and National on the same side of the issue, with New Zealand First the parliamentary party campaigning for prohibition.
New Zealand First has promised to introduce legislation within the first 100 days of a new government to ban the public sale and private use of fireworks, according to that coverage. RNZ The pledge is for a government bill, that is a law put forward by ministers with government backing, not a member's bill from an individual MP. It would end retail sales and private use.
RNZ's 9 October campaign coverage said the party blamed fireworks for frightening animals, starting fires and causing havoc. RNZ The wording covers three arguments at once: animal welfare, public safety and nuisance.
The split is inside the current coalition. National and ACT govern with New Zealand First. In July, National and ACT rejected a recommendation to ban the public sale and private use of fireworks. They argued a ban would remove access to a longstanding legal activity. RNZ
Animal advocates had already criticised that July decision. The SPCA said it was heartbroken and outraged by the Government's decision not to ban the private sale and use of fireworks. The Association has now extended the same criticism to Labour.
The 2026 general election will be held on Saturday 7 November 2026, with voting starting on 26 October, 12 days before election day. RNZ headlined its 9 October coverage as Election 2026 live: Animal rights group disappointed fireworks ban lacks support from major parties. It also ran separate live coverage headlined Live: NZ First campaigns on banning fireworks, Opportunity says Luxon will call after election. During that coverage, Opportunity Party leader Qiulae Wong was in West Auckland. The Opportunity Party said Luxon will call after the election.
The broader context here is coalition management under pressure. A 100-day pledge is a familiar device in campaigns. It signals priority and sets a clear timetable for talks after the election. When the pledge goes against what its coalition partners voted for only months earlier, that test applies to the coalition negotiation as much as to the House.
Looking at what this means for the campaign, the choice of fireworks matters. The policy would cost little in fiscal terms but is highly visible in suburban Auckland. It lets New Zealand First differentiate without breaking collective responsibility during the campaign, while National and ACT must defend a July vote that animal groups opposed. For Labour, being grouped with National by an advocacy group is awkward. It denies the party a clear point of difference on an issue with organised advocates and sympathetic coverage.
For Press Gallery watchers, the next questions are procedural. What form would the promised legislation take, and would it apply to public displays as well as retail sales. How National and ACT respond in Auckland seats where nuisance and animal welfare concerns run strong will also be worth watching. On the information available, the positions are set. New Zealand First wants legislation. National and ACT voted against the recommendation. Labour has not backed a ban. The Association wants more.
