About Us

Before committing to working with us you may want to know who we are and what our track record is.

Our Experience

Our Shanghai Fireworks Display>

Firework Professionals has over 30 years experience and is wholly New Zealand owned. It was started in the 1970s by Anthony Lealand who is still running the company.

Anthony's experience was recognized in New Zealand by ERMA (now EPA) who invited him to become one of the first test certifiers under the new regulations. He is also recognized internationally and in 2009 he was invited to present a paper at the 11th International Symposium of Fireworks in Mexico.

The work the company does is also recognized by the international pyrotechnics community and Firework Professionals have been invited to compete in two international competitions - Decazeville, France in 2004 (second place) and Shanghai, China in 2006 (third place). We also provide support for international shows such as AC/DC, Nickleback, and Disney on Ice.

Our People

Our Christchurch office has six full-time and three part-time staff. In addition we have many skilled, trained Approved Handlers throughout New Zealand. There will be local near you! Using local people not only supports the local community and taps into local knowledge, but it saves flying people in and accommodation. This saves the client money. (Even in a moderate sized show, the crew start hours ahead of the firing time and afterwards need to cleanup and pack out)

Every show needs at least one Approved Handler (Pyrotechnics). These people have been trained to use fireworks safely. Certification is not automatic and you need to be a 'fit and proper person', obtain a Controlled Substance Licence, and get at least 80% in the exam to pass. Those that continue to work with us get regular technical mailouts, continuing practical on-site training as well as ongoing on the job training, supervision, development and advice.

All our pyrotechnicians are trained and are paid employees. We don't take volunteers out for a thrill or students looking for excitement. We pay all our workers and so they are covered by ACC and by our insurance.

Our Day to Day Work

Pyrotechnics for a Wedding

We are often asked "what do you do when it isn't Guy Fawkes?" Actually, November the 5th, while very busy, is only a small part of our work. In addition to shows at New Year, Matariki and other "special" dates, we do shows for corporate events, product launches, weddings, birthday parties and any other time when a firework display can add a little extra. We also work with the film and video industry providing not only pyrotechnics but special effects from explosions to bullet hits, from simulated strafe runs to an indoor tornado.

Most of our out of town pyrotechnicians have day jobs - as firemen, pilots, teachers. But what about those nine people in Christchurch? How do they fill in the week?

The two that most customers will deal with are Heather and Maria. They run the office. A firework show involves a lot of paperwork. Don't blame us - it's the New Zealand regulations. For instance you need a Test Certificate (permit) to fire the show. This involves obtaining written permission from Fire Safety/Rural Fire Service and the legal landowner and submitting this, together with a detailed site plan, application form and supporting information to an independent Test Certifier. You must also notify Department of Labour, Police Communications, Fire Communications and have a NOTAM issued by Civil Aviation Authority. If you get us to fire your show all this running around is included in the price.

Then there are emails and phones to answer, quotes to prepare, accounts to be done, contractors to pay - and the occasional container of fireworks to import.

Our technicians design the firework shows. That is they work out what order things are fired and how the cabling goes. Some times they organize the firing to be in time to music. This is exciting but time consuming - for instance they need to take into account how long it takes from pressing the button to the effect actually firing, then how long before it reaches the point when it explodes, and finally the distance the audience is from the effect and the music.

Some of the gear needed for a show

Before the show they have to drive out and get the fireworks (no we don't keep it in our warehouse!) and "pick" it. That is get so many of this colour and size and so many of that colour and effect. The pyrotechnics are shipped together with all the equipment needed for the show - igniters, mortars, cables, firing systems, safety gear, even tables and chairs sometimes.

Some days they work on creating new effects - or improving existing ones. There is the electronics to look after - including the office computers - plus videos to take and edit.

They also help out the warehouse manager. Checking that every thing that comes back is in good working order. Cleaning and repairing when needed.

Anthony in addition to office work (with his favourite 'Dragon Dictate') also keeps his hand in with the practical side occasionally. He also trains those who want to become pyrotechnicians and gives lectures with demonstrations to groups such as Polytech students and the Royal Society.