Poll: Should fireworks be banned?
Setting off fireworks has become an annual Kiwi backyard tradition, and it’s almost time to break out the sparklers again. However, critics say they’re dangerous and people are injured by them every year. Fans, on the other hand, argue that all fun involves some level of risk, it just needs to be managed safely.
Last year, we saw a 23% drop in the number of fireworks-related injury claims (171 claims across 2017 versus 223 across 2016). What do you think? Should personal fireworks be banned? Click here for advice on how to use fireworks responsibly.
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18.4% Yes - get rid of them altogether
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59.5% No - let's keep professional public displays only
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18.2% No - I think they're great
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3.8% I don't mind either way
Some Choice News!
DOC is rolling out a new tool to help figure out what to tackle first when it comes to protecting our threatened species and the things putting them at risk.
Why does this matter? As Nikki Macdonald from The Post points out, we’re a country with around 4,400 threatened species. With limited time and funding, conservation has always meant making tough calls about what gets attention first.
For the first time, DOC has put real numbers around what it would take to do everything needed to properly safeguard our unique natural environment. The new BioInvest tool shows the scale of the challenge: 310,177 actions across 28,007 sites.
Now that we can see the full picture, it brings the big question into focus: how much do we, as Kiwis, truly value protecting nature — and what are we prepared to invest to make it happen?
We hope this brings a smile!
Cleaner required.
Cleaner required for Central City restaurant. 5 days a week , Wednesday to Sunday . Usually takes around 3 hours. I’m flexible on time . 9-12, 10-1. Whatever suits!
28 dollars per hour… experience would be great but not essential. Ideally the candidate needs to be physically fit, as it’s a fairly big venue. Anyone interested please email me
paul@twentysevensteps.co.nz
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
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