Calls for Fireworks Ban Intensify After Horse's Tragic Death In Tauranga

Environment Minister Penny Simmonds has stated she is “considering all options” in response to mounting public concern over fireworks, following the death of a horse on the outskirts of Tauranga, The New Zealand Herald has reported. The animal was spooked by fireworks during Guy Fawkes, sustaining injuries so severe that it had to be euthanised.  

The tragedy has sparked widespread calls for a ban on fireworks sales to the public, with over 74,000 people signing the Pawprint petition. Advocacy groups like the SPCA and the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) have also backed the ban. Meanwhile, Tauranga’s social media platforms have been flooded with hundreds of posts urging action, particularly in rural areas such as Welcome Bay.

 

Donna Matheson, the horse’s owner, described the loss of her horse, Remi, as a “roller coaster of emotions.” Matheson said the horse bolted through a wire fence near her rural home in the Pāpāmoa Hills on 5 November after being startled by nearby fireworks.  

“The only thing keeping me going is trying to stay strong to fight for the ban on public sales, and other times I’m just a blithering mess,” Matheson told the Bay of Plenty Times. “Remi’s death must mean something. It’s clear from social media that there’s overwhelming public support for this ban.”  

Matheson advocates restricting fireworks to controlled public displays, noting that this was not her first experience with such incidents. In 2019, her other horse, Alex, suffered a serious leg injury after being spooked by fireworks, requiring surgery costing $11,000.  

Neighbour Andrew McKeown, who discovered the injured Remi, said the incident left many distressed. He supported calls for a ban on public fireworks sales.  

Veterinary Support for Ban
Welcome Bay Vet Clinic director Hannah Bain echoed calls for banning public fireworks sales. She proposed a licensing system for public displays to protect animals.  

Fireworks are currently sold only between 2 and 5 November, but Bain noted that they can be stockpiled and used unpredictably. “We have seen pets injured, hit by cars, or missing after running away due to fireworks-related anxiety,” Herald quoted.  

Animates Vetcare NZ, organiser of the Pawprint petition, said Remi’s death exemplified how fireworks at unplanned times put animals and their owners at risk. “We’re working with Donna and are yet to confirm how we’ll share her story and others we’ve received,” a spokeswoman said.  

SPCA New Zealand’s scientific officer Dr Alison Vaughan called Remi’s death a “painful reminder” of the dangers fireworks pose, particularly to horses. She highlighted a 2016 survey where a quarter of horse owners reported injuries caused by fireworks. “Horses’ natural flight instincts mean they can easily panic and injure themselves when startled,” she said, adding that all animals are vulnerable to fireworks-related distress.  

The NZ Veterinary Association, in a statement issued on 1 November, supported the Pawprint petition, warning of risks that extend beyond Guy Fawkes. “Every year, veterinarians are called to see horses injured by panicking, running through fences, or escaping paddocks,” it said.  

Calls for Legislative Change  
Western Bay of Plenty District Councillor Tracey Coxhead expressed her sympathies to Matheson, describing the incident as “terribly sad.” She noted that banning fireworks at the district level would require significant public input and coordination with neighbouring councils. A central government law change would be more effective, she said.  

Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell called the event “incredibly traumatic” and stressed the importance of safe fireworks use. He confirmed plans to discuss the issue with colleagues and explore calls for a ban.  

Minister Responds to Public Outcry  
Environment Minister Penny Simmonds acknowledged Calls for Fireworks Ban Intensify After Horse's Tragic Death in Tauranga  

Environment Minister Penny Simmonds has stated she is “considering all options” in response to mounting public concern over fireworks, following the death of a horse on the outskirts of Tauranga. The animal was spooked by fireworks during Guy Fawkes, sustaining injuries so severe that it had to be euthanised.  

The tragedy has sparked widespread calls for a ban on fireworks sales to the public, with over 74,000 people signing the Pawprint petition. Advocacy groups like the SPCA and the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) have also backed the ban. Meanwhile, Tauranga’s social media platforms have been flooded with hundreds of posts urging action, particularly in rural areas such as Welcome Bay.  

Donna Matheson, the horse’s owner, described the loss of her horse, Remi, as a “roller coaster of emotions.” Matheson said the horse bolted through a wire fence near her rural home in the Pāpāmoa Hills on 5 November after being startled by nearby fireworks.  

“The only thing keeping me going is trying to stay strong to fight for the ban on public sales, and other times I’m just a blithering mess,” Matheson told the *Bay of Plenty Times*. “Remi’s death must mean something. It’s clear from social media that there’s overwhelming public support for this ban.”  

Matheson advocates restricting fireworks to controlled public displays, noting that this was not her first experience with such incidents. In 2019, her other horse, Alex, suffered a serious leg injury after being spooked by fireworks, requiring surgery costing $11,000.  

Neighbour Andrew McKeown, who discovered the injured Remi, said the incident left many distressed. He supported calls for a ban on public fireworks sales.