Fireworks shot at emergency services in Dunedin

The story so far

On Monday night, police and firefighters responding to reports of about 50 people firing fireworks at each other on Castle Street North in Dunedin were reportedly targeted with fireworks themselves.^{4, 5 Nov 2025} Authorities described the incident as a near miss for officers, and one instance was reported in which a fire truck was missed.^{4, 5 Nov 2025} Two men were taken into custody, including a 20-year-old who was held overnight, and a later report also refers to two people being arrested.^{4, 5 Nov 2025} The University of Otago said it was investigating student behaviour linked to the incident.^{5 Nov 2025} A report dated 5 November describes three men being arrested after disorder on Castle Street on Wednesday night, when responders were targeted by fireworks while attending reports of people drinking and couches on fire. The stories do not clearly say whether this is the same incident as the Monday night event.^{4, 6 Nov 2025}

Latest

Three men were arrested after disorder on Castle Street on Wednesday night, and a police sergeant said officers narrowly avoided being hit by fireworks.^{6 Nov 2025}

Key moments

1. 4 Nov 2025Police and firefighters reportedly targeted with fireworks while responding to a crowd on Castle Street North.
2. 5 Nov 2025University of Otago announces it is investigating student behaviour after the fireworks incident.
3. 6 Nov 2025Three men arrested after Wednesday night disorder on Castle Street; officers narrowly avoided being hit.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.