In mid April this year I attended a fireworks course down in Christchurch run by the good folks at Firework professionals Ltd. http://www.firework.co.nz. The course ran for two days and covered how fireworks are made, how to handle them safely, how to plan a show, who to get approval from, how to electrically fire a show. About half of the course was theory and the other half was practical. Over the course of the two days we got to fire Mines, Falls, Fountains, Gerindolas, Catherine Wheels, Crackers, Roman Candles, and Starshells. The first day dealt with 'ground' fireworks and the second day with Starshells. At the end of the course we got a DVD of our display.

The assessment for the course consists of a test, exam, and a practical component.

The course qualification from the course will enable me to be an "Approved Handler" - which is the legal term for someone who can purchase pyro, organise and fire shows.

now off to finish the exam........