Whakatane fireworks to return, years after fiery disaster

Whakatane will have a public fireworks show this year - the first since 2009, when 40 minutes' worth of bangers exploded in about 40 seconds. Two people were taken to hospital with minor injuries after the accident. Thousands of dollars' worth went off at once in the fiery mishap, brilliantly lighting up the bay of plenty sky, but also causing a large scrub fire.