Thomson-Bache said the council had four M\u0101ori wardens on-site from 7pm to 11pm last night. <\/p>\n
\u201cDespite their presence, fireworks were again let off on Mauao. Unfortunately, due to the number of people spread across the maunga, it was not possible to contain the activity.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said the approximate time fireworks were let off last night and on Wednesday was between 8pm and 8.30pm.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn Guy Fawkes night, they were set off at the summit, and last night they were lit at various elevated locations across the maunga.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thomas-Bache said she understood suspects of the November 5 fireworks incident were identified after footage captured by the council\u2019s Tauranga Transport Operation Centre was reviewed. <\/p>\n
A permanent fire ban has been announced for P\u0101p\u0101moa and Mount Maunganui to prevent fires like this one on Mauao several years ago. <\/p>\n
In an earlier joint statement, the Mauao Trust and the council said using fireworks on Mauao was \u201cillegal, dangerous and completely unacceptable\u201d. <\/p>\n
There is a permanent fire ban on Mauao, including on cigarette-smoking, using lighters, fireworks and lighting recreational fires.<\/p>\n
A fire on Mauao in January 2016 destroyed about 4000sq m of vegetation.<\/p>\n
A Mauao Trust representative earlier said the trust was \u201coutraged and deeply concerned\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe 2016 fire caused devastating damage, and we cannot risk that happening again.\u201d <\/p>\n Parliament\u2019s petitions select committee heard evidence yesterday regarding three petitions calling for a total ban on the public sales of fireworks.<\/p>\n Supporters of the ban include the SPCA, NZ Veterinary Association, Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Aotearoa, Fire and Emergency New Zealand and Animates.<\/p>\n Also backing the ban are Chris Rugaas from Oropi and Donna Matheson from P\u0101p\u0101moa Hills, whose horses had to be put down after being severely injured in November last year.<\/p>\n Matheson\u2019s mare Remi bolted through a wire fence<\/a> on November 6, 2024, and Rugaas\u2019 breeding stallion Rockafella<\/a> had to be put down in similar circumstances two days later.<\/p>\n On January 1, Matheson, with Tauranga friends Nadeen Mitchell and Louise Prastiti, launched an online nationwide Fireworks Impact Database for people to log harm to people, animals, property and the environment.<\/p>\n Mitchell said the database had nearly 300 responses as of November 6.<\/p>\n NZ First leader Winston Peters has introduced a member\u2019s bill to ban the public sale and use of fireworks<\/a>.<\/p>\n