April 09, 2020
Maunga fires threaten public safety
The chair of the Tūpuna Maunga Authority says fires on Auckland’s volcanic cones are a threat not just to the environment but to emergency workers and neighbouring residents.
Fire and Emergency spent three hours battling a blaze on Maungarei-Mount Wellington on Tuesday evening that flared up after eight people were spotted letting off fireworks.
Paul Majurey says it damaged regenerating native bush, and an assessment will be made of its impact on archaeological sites.
It's the sixth fire on one of the mountains since Guy Fawkes Day last November which has been caused by fireworks or started intentionally.
“We’ve had security folk there. We declared last year after the fireworks’ fire on Maungarei a ban on access to the maunga for Guy Fawkes 2020 as a measure just to keep fireworks off the maunga. That isn’t working and stronger action is required, and that’s why the Tūpuna Maunga Authority is now calling for legislation urgently brought in to ban the sale of fireworks in time for this year’s Guy Fawkes,” he says.
The SPCA, Auckland Council, and multiple petitions have also called for the end of private sales of fireworks.
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