Every year, fireworks cause fear and distress for animals across the country. The loud bangs and sudden flashes of light can trigger panic, causing animals to flee, go missing, or injure themselves as they try to escape. Some experience lasting fear and develop phobias that affect their welfare long after the noise has stopped.

The impact extends far beyond pets in our homes. Horses, farmed animals, zoo animals and wildlife, including birds and marine life, can also be affected. For some animals, the consequences are severe, with reports of serious injuries and deaths associated with fireworks.

While fireworks may bring celebration for people, they pose a significant and preventable animal welfare concern.

It's time to put animal welfare first.

Join us in calling on Parliament to end the private sale and use of fireworks. Add your name to our open letter and stand with SPCA and our partners in calling for change. The more people who sign, the stronger our collective voice for animals.

SPCA has also created downloadable posters so that individuals and businesses can help us spread the message. Download and print the posters and display them in your window to show your support.

The Government have decided to take no action to ban the private sale and use of fireworks, despite overwhelming public support for change, compelling animal welfare evidence, growing fire risks, and a recommendation from Parliament's Petitions Committee.

The Government's announcement follows the Committee's report in April this year recommending a ban on the private sale and use of fireworks while retaining professionally managed public displays - the first time the Committee has recommended Government action on this issue.

SPCA considers this a profoundly disappointing decision that leaves animals to continue suffering for no good reason. We are committed to continue advocating strongly for a ban on the prviate sale and use of fireworks.

Every year, thousands of animals are traumatised and many injured due to fear of fireworks.

Fear of fireworks is common in companion animals. These fears can lead to panic, destructive behaviour, and long-term phobias. Animals frequently injure themselves attempting to flee fireworks and, each year, stories emerge of much-loved companion animals dying due to fireworks. These are a predictable but tragic occurrence.

While fireworks are only on sale between 2 and 5 November, stock piling is a known issue. The inability to predict when or where fireworks will be let off prevents those responsible for animals from taking steps to protect them.

While much attention of the impacts of fireworks on animals focuses on companion animals, the effects on wildlife are likely more widespread and severe. The timing of Guy Fawkes and New Year fireworks displays coincides with nesting for many New Zealand native bird species and fireworks may have adverse long-term population effects.

SPCA has been advocating for a ban on the private sale and use of fireworks in New Zealand for years. SPCA also advocates that fireworks, pyrotechnics and gas-fired explosions should never be permitted to be used at events involving animals due to the distress they cause animals.

We acknowledge that many New Zealanders include firework displays when celebrating special occasions such as Matariki, Diwali, Chinese New Year, and Guy Fawkes. We are supportive of controlled and notified public firework displays, which allow communities to celebrate while minimising harms.

2026

• Government refuses to take action to protect animals and communities from fireworks in response to Petition Committee report .
• Petition Committee releases report on fireworks petitions - recommends government ban private sale and use of fireworks
• Survey commissioned by SPCA finds majority of kiwis support a ban on private sale and use of fireworks

2025

• SPCA supports NZ First's Member's Bill to ban the public sale of fireworks in New Zealand.
• SPCA meets with Minister for Environment, Hon Penny Simmonds, to call for a ban on private sale and use of fireworks.
  
• SPCA submits in support of the petitions of Animates, Raewyn Harrison, and Suzanne Cook calling for a ban on the private sale of fireworks.

2024

• SPCA collaborates with RNZ Concert to host New Zealand's first ever Concert for Animals, an evening of soothing music to help pets and their people get through Guy Fawkes.

2022

• SPCA publishes storybook, Fireworks Free, that tells the tale of a community that replace harmful fireworks with a celebration everyone can enjoy. SPCA Ambassador, Suzy Cato, reads it here.

2021

• Warehouse stops selling fireworks.

2020

• Parliamentary Select Committee rejects proposed restrictions on fireworks.

2019

• SPCA presents to the Parliamentary select Committee in support of petitions calling for a ban on the private sale and use of fireworks.
• Countdown stops selling fireworks.