Yet another Guy Fawkes night - and many tens of thousands of New Zealanders' dollars - has gone up in smoke.
This strange tradition of blowing things up to remember a bit-part Catholic agitator and would-be assassin from more than 400 years ago may make perfect sense in Britain, where the Gunpowder Plot against King James I happened. But on this side of the world, it has long been an irrelevance and is becoming even more so. We have better historic milestones to celebrate and, while it can be argued we have shied away from embracing these in the past, there is no reason not to be pursuing these now, given growing confidence and acceptance of our nation's cultural history.
New Zealand society is becoming more diverse. Those changing demographics - in particular the country's shifting ethnic and religious mix - means what many consider to be the traditional days of celebration just a generation ago will inevitably come under pressure from customs and beliefs brought in by new citizens. New Zealanders need to welcome these new festivities but also not be afraid of standing up for those long-established holidays.
Late October's Halloween and Guy Fawkes about a week later provide the most obvious examples of celebrations that have historic pertinence overseas but no obvious link as meaningful cultural touchstones here. Probably their most useful function is to provide a handy commercial opportunity for retailers in the quieter trading months between September's Father's Day and the arrival of the Christmas shopping frenzy.
Halloween has become more popular in recent years and the sight of young trick-and-treaters knocking on doors around neighbourhoods - ideally accompanied for safety by their parents - no longer surprises in the way it would have 20 years ago. However, many homeowners find the interruptions a nuisance and perhaps the best that can be said for the occasion is that the costumes bring out the artistic talent in children and help introduce neighbours to each other.
When it comes to fireworks - at any time of the year not just early in November - few can honestly say they do not enjoy a properly organised and supervised display with its breathtaking patterns and bursts of colour. What irks are the backyard crackers and explosions that seem to go on well into the night.
Not only does the approaching southern summer mean it is not dark until late, about 9pm, but also the inevitable spring nor'westerlies dry out grass and shrubs, making spot fires highly likely. Every year there are the same stories of Fire and Emergency crews running hither and thither dealing with fires caused by sparks, and animal protection agencies coping with injured or distressed pets.
It would make far more sense to use fireworks to celebrate something that is uniquely New Zealand. The Wellington City Council has the right idea - instead of focusing on a big November fireworks display, it will use pyrotechnics to mark Matariki, the Maori New Year, which usually falls at the darkest time of year in June.
This is an excellent idea. What better festival and time of year could there be for a fireworks spectacular?
