Auckland Council has agreed to call on the government to ban the sale of fireworks to the general public and end their private use.

Only two councillors voted against the decision.

Mayor Phil Goff said he did not make the decision to support it lightly but there had been a shift in the public mood toward the private use of fireworks as displayed by the huge number of submissions.

"I think that gave our council the mandate to take this to the Government," he said.

He did not believe a ban on private sales would put an end to fireworks but expected public displays would continue.

The council agreed to delegate the responsibility to take the matter to Government ministers and parliamentarians to councillors Cathy Casey and Fa'anana Efeso Collins.

The council met today to consider the thousands of public submissions received on the topic.

Of the 7997 people who submitted on whether the council should call on the Government to ban fireworks, 89 per cent were in favour of it.

The SPCA, Fire and Emergency NZ, NZ Veterinarians Association and SAFE all spoke in favour of the ban.

The biggest concerns raised in the submissions were the safety of people and animals, followed by noise.

Earlier this week, councillor Cathy Casey said the feedback showed Aucklanders wanted a city that was safe for families and pets.

"Year-round, fireworks cause unnecessary distress and injury to people, animals, birds and livestock and misuse of fireworks puts huge pressure on emergency services through unnecessary fires, property damage and injuries."

A ban would significantly reduce the number of bylaw complaints of fireworks being lit on private property and relieve pressure on council resources, she said.

Councillor Fa'anana Efeso Collins said the council needed to encourage more free public firework events.

"Public displays means the spectacle of fireworks can be enjoyed by everyone while families and pets are kept safe."