An Auckland church has confirmed it was behind a mysterious Auckland fireworks display on Sunday evening that perplexed residents and the authorities.
The fireworks went off at around 7:45pm, with police and Fire and Emergency NZ both saying they were unaware of any scheduled displays.
However Life Church has since confirmed to Newshub it was behind the fireworks.
A spokesperson said the display was to celebrate the church's 30th birthday and honour its founding pastors for their 40 years of full-time ministry.
"The celebrations continued into the early evening on Sunday and culminated with a fireworks display at our LIFE Central Campus on Normanby Road, Mt Eden," Life Church spokesman Phil Irons told Newshub.
"The display was conducted by a professional pyrotechnics company who obtained all the required permits and consents from relevant parties and authorities, including WorkSafe, CAA, and Fire and Emergency NZ."
The church apologised for not alerting local residents of their planned fireworks display.
"In hindsight, given the nature of the acoustics of the display, we should have made our local, residential neighbours aware of our intentions," Irons said.
"We do sincerely apologise for any distress caused and will endeavour to be clearer with our communication in future."
The display went on for minutes and lit up the Auckland night sky. Social media users in Newmarket, Mt Wellington and Mt Roskill reported hearing the fireworks.
"It was so loud the house shook on the big ones," one resident said on Twitter. "Those apartments on Normanby (Rd) would have had a great view like they were coming right at them. (would they have been warned?)"
Another Twitter user said: "We're right near the epicenter! Popped upstairs and saw the fireworks - they were quite close to us and also echoing off the Newmarket buildings. Never heard anything like it!"
"Thanks to these fireworks a neighbour’s dog bolted & is still missing - just as a storm unfolds in Auckland," another Twitter user said.
"This 'entertainment' is a public menace that must be banned. Mysterious and unexpected fireworks display lights up Auckland sky."
There have been renewed calls for a ban on the private sale of fireworks - especially for the sake of animals.
Wellington Zoo called for a permanent ban last year, saying every year its animals are stressed and scared by them. Two years ago an antelope died after running into a fence.
"A lot of animals just don't know what's going on and can spook easily," Wellington Zoo primates team leader Harmony Neal told Newshub.
The Warehouse stopped selling fireworks last year over the community's "clear concerns"
Chief product officer Tania Benyon said the research shows Guy Fawkes has become less of an occasion.
"There are clear concerns about people letting off fireworks at home," she said in a statement.
