Tauranga Prohibits Fireworks in Public Places Under Updated Bylaw

Tauranga City Council has amended its Street Use and Public Places Bylaw 2026 to prohibit the lighting of fireworks in public places without council approval. The new fireworks clauses came into force on 1 October 2026.

The amendment was adopted by the council on 2 September 2026, following public consultation that ran from 15 June to 17 July 2026.

Under the bylaw, no person may light fireworks or pyrotechnics in any public place without approval. The council has said this covers areas such as parks and reserves, beaches and dunes, roads, berms and footpaths, as well as other public places owned or managed by the council. Organised public fireworks displays can still go ahead with council approval.

The council said the change responds to concerns raised by the community, including risks to public safety, fire hazards, impacts on animals, and potential damage to public spaces and the environment.

The ban does not apply to private property. The bylaw notes that fireworks may still be used on private property, but that it is an offence under the Summary Offences Act 1981 to use fireworks in a way that causes injury or alarm to people in a public place.

For dog and cat owners in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui, the change means fewer fireworks in the parks, beaches and reserves where pets are commonly walked, ahead of Guy Fawkes on 5 November. Because private property is exempt, fireworks can still be let off in backyards nearby, so household precautions remain worthwhile: keep pets indoors on peak evenings, check gates and fences are secure, and make sure your pet's microchip contact details are up to date.

For practical steps to help an anxious dog through the season, see our guide to fireworks anxiety in dogs. For an overview of how councils regulate pets and public spaces, see our guide to NZ pet laws and rules.

Sources

• https://www.tauranga.govt.nz/Portals/0/data/council/bylaws/files/street-use-public-places.pdf
• https://newsbeat.tauranga.govt.nz/news-article/artmid/24836/articleid/15644/have-your-say-on-proposed-changes-to-the-street-use-and-public-places-bylaw