Wayne Boss marked the New Year with his family and thousands of others in the Octagon, but was struck in his right eye by debris from fireworks during the midnight celebration.
However, a Dunedin City Council investigation into the matter found there was insufficient evidence as to whether a firework from the council-organised display caused the injury, or whether it was let off by a member of the public.
The investigation also found the council had "taken all reasonable health and safety steps".
Mr Boss has yet to return to work, has undergone two surgeries and expects more. Earlier this week he was told he would never regain full sight in the eye.
"They did another scan and it revealed that part of the retina is still damaged and irreversibly damaged," he said.
"I will never recover the central vision of that eye.
"I was really upset. I was really upset, to be honest."
The news followed surgery on February 23, to remove fragments of the lens. Mr Boss felt increasingly unwell and the surgery was undertaken with urgency.
The shattered fragments of the lens had migrated, putting enormous pressure on the pupil.
"They operated and removed those parts of the lens and stitched the iris, because that was split open like a zip on a pair of trousers," Mr Boss said.
Further surgery was expected later this year and then his long-term prognosis for recovering peripheral vision.
"No sooner are you going forward than you are going backwards," Mr Boss said.
The anxiety of not knowing the final outcome made the situation more difficult.
It had also hampered his previously active life and he was yet to return to driving or work.
"I’m sick of the four walls at home," he said.
"I want to go into the office and do what I do."
His wife, Fiona, said the injury and recovery had taken its toll on her husband and the family.
"[Before the second surgery] he was in such a state that he was holding on to the side of the bed and banging on the side of the bed because of the pain he was in.
"It was a horrible experience."
The news he would not recover full sight was "devastating for him".
Council director, organisation development and performance, Marian Rillstone said the council commissioned an independent investigation into the incident, in addition to one carried out by WorkSafe New Zealand.
"The investigation found there was not enough evidence to clearly show whether the firework responsible was from the DCC fireworks display, or whether it was let off by a member of the public," she said.
"There were recommendations around communication and documentation, which have been adopted.
"We also worked with WorkSafe, which is conducting its own investigation.
"Mr Boss was given the opportunity to participate in the investigation and was interviewed. We have kept in contact with Mr Boss and wish him well in his recovery."
A WorkSafe New Zealand spokesman said the watchdog’s investigation into the incident was ongoing.
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Comments
Yet another smoke and mirror by Cull and his merry men and women. "whether it was let off by a member of the public." police and others were at the function so the police would have stopped anybody setting off fireworks.
Let's see if the next fire work procedures / place are changed