Of the 637 respondents, 28 per cent wanted to ban all fireworks including public displays, while only 17 per cent wanted their private sale and use to remain legal.
Data from the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) shows there were 237 claims for fireworks-related injuries in Canterbury from 2015 to 2022.
There were 18 fireworks-related claims in 2022.
Currently, fireworks are only available to buy in New Zealand from November 2-5. The person picking them up must be aged over 18 and present a valid ID.
For a long time, the Warehouse was Aotearoa's go-to for skyrockets and sparklers. But the retailer stopped selling them in 2021, saying they did not reflect the company's values and most of its customers preferred public displays.
Now you'll find them at various stores and roadside stalls, such as Crackerjack, Cracker Shack, Online Fireworks, Pyro Company, Boom Brothers and Litworks.
There are no rules around when they can be used, except when Fire and Emergency NZ imposes a ban on fireworks and sky lanterns under Section 52 of the Fire and Emergency Act.
Earlier this year, FENZ banned the use of fireworks across Canterbury for several weeks from February 9 due to the dry conditions.
On Friday, Fenz community education manager Tom Ronaldson urged people to think about the risks fireworks pose before buying them.
Ronaldson said with the public sale of fireworks starting this weekend, fire brigades around the country are preparing for a busy few days.
"Since 2019 we have seen 676 fires caused by fireworks, 513 of which were vegetation fires," he said.
"One fire caused by fireworks is too many. It is a preventable fire we have to attend. It is also a totally unnecessary fire that may take our crews away from another emergency.
"We’d rather people didn’t buy fireworks but if people are going to purchase fireworks, then before lighting them they should always check it is safe to do so by visiting www.checkitsalright.nz, clicking on fireworks and then checking it's alright to light.
"If it is windy and dry in your area, don’t light them."
In a bid to protect pets and wild animals from fireworks, the Pawprint Petition was launched by retailer Animates last month.
The petition calls for a complete ban on the private sale and use of fireworks. It will be presented to Parliament and can be signed at pawprintpetition.co.nz.
Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the British Parliament and assassinate Protestant King James I of England in 1605. Photo: Getty Images
The Guy who started it all
Every November 5, we remember the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
It saw Guy Fawkes and his fellow Catholic conspirators attempt to blow up the British Parliament and assassinate the Protestant King James I of England.
The radical Catholics hoped to kill the king to end the religious persecution which started again under King James’ reign.
But Fawkes was caught in the act. He was imprisoned and tortured in the Tower of London for his crimes.
He was interrogated several times but - to the admiration of members of the government including the King - he admitted almost nothing about the plot.
The King then authorised the use of torture on November 6 and Fawkes's testimonies of November 7, 8 and 9 revealed much more information which the authorities used to find some of the other conspirators.
Fawkes was tried with the other surviving conspirators on January 27, 1606, and executed in Old Palace Yard, Westminster, on January 31.
To celebrate the foiling of the plot, the English started burning effigies of Fawkes.
The day was later transformed into a chance to watch and set off fireworks displays, rather than condemning Fawkes for his crimes.
Yet in parts of Britain, scarecrow-like effigies of Fawkes, the Pope and unpopular politicians are still carefully crafted and burned on public bonfires.
For example, the annual Bonfire Night in Lewes, Sussex, remains a popular spectacle. Residents of the historic town are known for dressing up and marching through the streets with barrels of burning tar before the fireworks display.
