Auckland’s Ancestral Mountains to Close at Night During Guy Fawkes Season to Prevent Fire Risk
Auckland, October 3, 2025 – Auckland’s Tūpuna Maunga (ancestral mountains) will be closed to the public during evenings throughout the Guy Fawkes season, in an effort to reduce the risk of fire caused by fireworks.
The Tūpuna Maunga Authority, which manages the 14 ancestral mountains of Auckland on behalf of mana whenua and the wider community, announced the temporary closures this week. The move comes as dry spring conditions heighten concerns about fire safety, with fireworks often linked to accidental blazes on the city’s iconic volcanic cones.
Protecting Sacred Land
The Tūpuna Maunga hold deep cultural and spiritual significance for Māori iwi and hapū, and their protection has long been a priority for the Authority. The Guy Fawkes period has historically seen an increase in visitors to the maunga, with some using the elevated sites for fireworks displays despite restrictions.
“These mountains are taonga – treasures – that must be safeguarded,” a spokesperson for the Authority said. “Nightly closures are a necessary precaution to ensure that fire does not damage their unique ecology, heritage, or sacred status.”
Fireworks and Fire Hazards
Fireworks have been a recurring source of tension during Guy Fawkes season in New Zealand. While public sales remain legal, growing concerns over fire risks, injuries, and impacts on pets and wildlife have fuelled debates about tighter regulation.
In Auckland, the volcanic cones are particularly vulnerable. Past incidents have seen small blazes caused by fireworks quickly spread in the dry grasses that cover many of the maunga. Fire and Emergency New Zealand has welcomed the Authority’s decision, saying it will ease pressure on emergency services during a high-risk period.
Balancing Tradition and Safety
The closures will take effect from late October and continue until after Guy Fawkes festivities conclude. The Authority has confirmed that the maunga will remain open during daylight hours for visitors, walkers, and families, but access gates will be locked at night.
Local residents are being encouraged to celebrate Guy Fawkes responsibly and to consider alternative forms of entertainment that do not carry fire risks. Community fireworks events, hosted in controlled environments, are expected to continue in some parts of the city.
A Growing Movement
The decision reflects a broader movement across New Zealand to reduce the risks associated with private fireworks. In recent years, calls have intensified for the government to ban public sales altogether, with some councils already supporting community-led alternatives.
For now, Aucklanders can expect a quieter Guy Fawkes season on the city’s skyline, with the familiar glow of fireworks giving way to a greater focus on protecting treasured landscapes.
As the Authority noted:
“Our responsibility is to future generations. The maunga must endure as places of cultural identity, natural beauty, and living history.”
