Fireworks risk extends beyond Auckland’s maunga, firefighters warn community

Auckland’s overnight maunga closures will help keep fireworks off the ancestral landscapes, but wider risks remain.

The Tūpuna Maunga Authority is preparing to close public access to all 14 tūpuna maunga during Guy Fawkes for a seventh consecutive year, while Auckland Council is maintaining its call for a ban on private fireworks sales.

The Authority says the annual closures followed significant fires on several maunga, including Te Pane o Mataoho / Te Ara Pueru / Māngere Mountain, Maungawhau / Mt Eden and Maungarei / Mt Wellington.

The most recent fire occurred on Maungarei in January 2026, the Authority says.

Fire and Emergency (FENZ) Community Risk Manager Lorna Biggam says South Auckland crews responded to a slew of calls during last year’s Guy Fawkes period.

“For crews across South Auckland, the key challenge was responding to multiple calls in a short period while ensuring fires did not spread into surrounding vegetation, reserves, or threaten nearby properties.”

Keeping our maunga safe prevents fire from spreading and damaging the surrounding area. Photo/Auckland Council.

The maunga will close to the public between 6.30pm and 7am each night from 2 to 5 November. Security personnel will be onsite, with patrols continuing in the days after Guy Fawkes.

Biggam says FENZ works closely with Auckland Council, the Authority and other partners throughout the fireworks period to reduce risks.

“The closures significantly reduce the opportunity for people to let fireworks off from the maunga themselves, but they do not remove the risk completely.

“Fireworks used in nearby areas can still start fires if embers or burning material land in dry grass, vegetation, or other combustible fuels.”

She says the problem also lasts longer than the allotted days.

Auckland’s 14 tūpuna maunga will close to public access overnight during Guy Fawkes to help protect the ancestral landscapes from fires. Photo/Auckland Council.

“The risk can also continue beyond the Guy Fawkes period because fireworks can legally be used at other times of the year.

“That's why we encourage people to think carefully about where and when they use fireworks, and to avoid using them if conditions increase the likelihood of a fire starting.”

Many maunga sit close to homes, roads and public spaces. The Authority says preventing fires helps protect neighbouring communities and years of restoration work.

Authority co-chair Paul Majurey says preventing damage remains a priority.

“The Tūpuna Maunga are treasured places that hold deep cultural, historical and environmental significance for Auckland.

Auckland councillor Josephine Bartley, who chairs the Regulatory and Safety Committee. The council continues to call for a ban on private fireworks sales. Photo/Auckland Council.

“We know how quickly fire can damage these special places, including native vegetation, restoration projects and archaeological features, which is why preventing fires before they start remains our priority.”

Fireworks are prohibited on the maunga throughout the year. Auckland Council also prohibits their use on council-controlled parks and beaches.

Councillor Josephine Bartley says the position on private sales remains unchanged.

“Auckland Council has long held the view that central Government should ban the private sale of fireworks and we have taken opportunities in the past to present this view. We continue to hold this view in 2026.”

Nationally, FENZ says there have been an average of 160 fireworks-related fires a year over the past decade, with numbers rising in the past two years.

Biggam says they are closely monitoring weather forecasts, fuel dryness and local conditions.

“Our advice is simple: if it's windy, if grass and vegetation are dry, or if there is any concern that fireworks could ignite nearby vegetation or structures, don't use them.”

The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union is planning strikes from midday to 1pm on 6 and 7 November, immediately after Guy Fawkes.

All 111 calls will continue to be received and responded to during the stoppages.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.