By Jesse Peach
Thousands watched in awe as 40 minutes worth of fireworks mistakenly went off in just 40 seconds at a public display in Whakatane last night.
Residents of the Bay of Plenty town couldn't believe their eyes - or ears - as the biggest, loudest and most dangerous fireworks spectacle of the weekend erupted.
"It was just amazing, it was spectacular," says eyewitness Raewyn. "It was like a bonfire and it went right across the whole entire bank."
Over $10,000 worth of fireworks erupted all at once.
"You're standing right there and you're just like, seeing a great big explosion in front of your face," says Raewyn.
"There were lights flashing around everywhere, and everyone was like, is it finished?" says resident Dayton.
Officials had safety-checked the riverbank in the town centre earlier in the day, but one of the first fireworks fell over, setting others alight - and locals witnessed a hot, spectacular and very loud eruption.
"My partner said to me, 'I don't think that went off very well, I think that should have gone further in the sky,'" says Melanie Bell, "and I said, 'I think that was some new fireworks, it was great.'
Incredibly, only two people were taken to hospital with burns.
The Kiwanis Club, which has organised the display for 27 years, says it is glad no one was seriously injured, and while all precautions were taken it is going to review the safety procedures for next year.
The cause of the 40-second spectacle is now under investigation, and fire services have spent the day dampening down the remains of the fire.
Apart from organised chaos, the Guy Fawkes weekend has not been as explosive for other parts of the country. The fire service is calling this year their quietest Guy Fawkes on record.
They say it's partly because of wet weather, but also a sign that restrictions on the sale of fireworks might be finally paying off.