Reinstating a fireworks display is again on the agenda for debate at the Dunedin City Council.
This follows dismal satisfaction levels being recorded in a survey about city celebrations that brought in 2026 — a music-based event featuring neither pyrotechnics nor a projection mapping display.
Council staff said feedback from the public was clear — fireworks were an expected part of New Year’s Eve celebrations.
"By not acting on the public sentiment, there is a risk of losing residents and visitors over the holiday period," a report for councillors said.
They are set to discuss two options — persisting with the status quo or having a fireworks display at Robin Hood Park.
One key piece of feedback from the 2025 New Year’s Eve event was it being repeatedly described as anticlimactic, unclear or "ending with nothing".
Another was about the music and programming — there was pushback about niche or heavy genres and calls for "mainstream, sing-along, danceable music that suits a multigenerational crowd", the council said.
Reinstatement of fireworks was dominant in the feedback, the report said.
Dunedin has not run a New Year’s Eve pyrotechnics display since welcoming 2021.
Festivities in the Octagon to bring in 2022 were cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic and light and laser shows were run in the next three years as an alternative to fireworks.
"Public feedback consistently mentioned the lack of fireworks in years where light and laser shows were a feature of celebrations," the council report said.
The event was "reimagined" to welcome 2026, including operating a family zone in George St and a parade to the Octagon.
"Roaming performers, interactive elements, diverse food offerings and visual features all added to the celebratory experience," the council said.
However, it identified strong public sentiment the event lacked the impact warranted for the change of year.
A staff-run public survey received 432 responses.
Also, some responses came from people who did not attend.
Asked if they would attend the event again next time, 48.5% of respondents said this was unlikely.
An overall dissatisfaction rate of 61% was recorded, including 43.5% for "very dissatisfied".
Fireworks dominated the preferred New Year countdown — at 65.8%. "Live concert" was the next highest with 11.9%.
Putting on the event cost $132,000, which covered expenses such as security, production and traffic management.
The cost of fireworks or a light show would be an additional $45,000.
This could be accommodated within the budget envelope through a reduction in production quality and music and by not having a secondary location for family-friendly activity, the council said.
Robin Hood Park — also suggested last year — was considered a viable location for a fireworks display.
"The higher vantage point would accommodate a larger safety exclusion zone, significantly reducing risk, while enabling a broader, city-wide display.
"With visibility from the Octagon and many residents’ homes, the city-wide experience would encourage more people to remain in Dunedin rather than travelling to see fireworks at other locations such as Wānaka, the Catlins, Timaru or Te Anau."
Last year, calls to reinstate fireworks were rejected by the council.
Of the nine elected members who voted against fireworks, seven remain at the table after last year’s election.
During the debate last year, Cr Steve Walker said fireworks should be consigned to history.
Six elected members voted for fireworks, but just one is still a councillor — Brent Weatherall.
He said at the time the council had decided to be "party poopers".
