Fireworks age limit raised, sale time cut

Fireworks will be on sale for only three days next year and they will be sold only to people over 18.
Environment Minister David Benson-Pope said yesterday he had stopped short of a total ban but it was still a possibility in the future.
"I believe the best approach at this stage is to tighten up the laws around sale," he said.
"Guy Fawkes is a fun event for thousands of families, and fireworks-related damage is caused by a small group of mostly young people. I don't feel it's fair on New Zealanders to ban fireworks sales at this stage because of the actions of a minority."
At present, fireworks can be sold for 10 days, from October 27 to November 5, and the age limit is 14.
Next year they will be on sale from November 3 to November 5.
Mr Benson-Pope said sparklers would not be sold separately, only as part of larger fireworks packs.
This was to discourage the dangerous trend of "sparkler bombs".
The Government started considering further restrictions or a ban last year after the police reported increasing incidents of damage and injury before and after Guy Fawkes.
"I have listened to the various groups that do want a ban, and I am still open to that possibility in the future," he said.
"We want to see fireworks users behaving responsibly, being aware of and avoiding fire risk, guarding the personal safety of themselves and others, and being aware of the effect the noise has on animals.
"I understand the frustration the police and the Fire Service teams feel when faced with problems over Guy Fawkes, and I hope these new restrictions will send a message that deliberate harm or damage is criminal and is being clamped down on."
Retailers will break the law if they sell fireworks to people under 18, and those buying them will have to present identification in the same way as purchasing tobacco or alcohol.
??AN AGE restriction should keep fireworks away from "the teenybopper brigade" if properly policed, the organiser of this year's troubled Henley Lake display said.
This year's Guy Fawkes' display was marred by children throwing fireworks at each other and one landing in the pram of a four-year-old boy, setting it alight.
Display convenor Colin Hendry, of Masterton Host Waipoua Lions Club, said the Government's R18 restriction on fireworks is "a step in the right direction".
"I think the biggest step is the age restriction," Mr Hendry said.
Mr Hendry said he wasn't sure "whether three days will make a difference to illicit use on the streets".
No decision will be made about next year's fireworks event, Mr Hendry said, until discussions with sponsors had taken place.