NZ's gun laws

[Migueliones15]

Hello everyone,

This site has been really great (I've learnt sooo much!) but I was wondering if anyone could tell me what NZ's gun laws/restrictions/registration processes are?

Thankin' you
Michael

[johnandbethcox]

Hi!

Also, information about importing guns (especially rare/antique ones) would be great as well. Is this allowed?

[Going2NZ]

Hiya!

I don't know too much about this but I do know that you can import guns with a permit. If you have any questions about that process call Customs and they'll point you in the right direction:
Freephone: 0800 4 CUSTOMS (0800 428 786)
Fax: 9-359 6730
E-mail: feedback@customs.govt.nz

They really are helpful.

Good luck

[johnandbethcox]

Thanks for the info!

[Jules]

Hi Michael

Welcome to the forum!!!

We have some friends here that are farmers and they have guns. They have to keep them in a locked cabinet when not in use. I think because they are farmers they don't need a permit but have to be registered as owning guns (I might be wrong) but I know the police come round every year to see where they are kept i.e. in a locked cabinet.

We are going to see them at the weekend, so I will ask the questions.

Jules

[Migueliones15]

Thank you for the welcome Jules!

Hmmm thanks for that info, and thats very kind of you to ask some questions

[steve&carrie]

Hi,
I've just started the process of applying for a firearms licence. It is quite simple and involves filling in a form, paying a fee and sitting a written test about the arms code.
You need a referee that has known you for at least 18 months in New Zealand (which is a problem if you have just got here) All the info is on the NZ police website.

As far as owning guns is concerned, you are able to have as many shotguns, rifles (bolt action,lever action etc.) and semi-autos you want. To own pistols or military style assault rifles you need to apply separately and satisfy certain criteria.

hope this helps

[Migueliones15]

Hi,
I've just started the process of applying for a firearms licence. It is quite simple and involves filling in a form, paying a fee and sitting a written test about the arms code.
You need a referee that has known you for at least 18 months in New Zealand (which is a problem if you have just got here) All the info is on the NZ police website.

As far as owning guns is concerned, you are able to have as many shotguns, rifles (bolt action,lever action etc.) and semi-autos you want. To own pistols or military style assault rifles you need to apply separately and satisfy certain criteria.

hope this helps

Thats really helpful, thank you!

http://www.police.govt.nz/service/firearms/ < there's the link for anyone who wants to see.

[Ant&Eve]

Hi Michael,

I moved here over a year ago from the UK where I had a firearms license. To bring my firearms here took the following process:

Get PR (you can’t get a New Zealand firearms license on a visitors visa)
Apply for a New Zealand firearms license (applied Sept 5, got the license about 8 weeks later)
Apply for an import license from the New Zealand Police – same day
Apply for an export license from the DTI – 2 months
Got firearms.

Applying for a New Zealand firearms license:
Submit application form (including a New Zealand reference who has known you for 12 months)
A vetting officer arranges to come and interview you and your partner, plus inspect your security arrangements at home – they will interview you separately and will want to know where you will be shooting (so join a club or two beforehand).
If he/she approves, they will put you forward for a written test conducted by the Mountain Safety Council at the local cop shop.
You need to (I think I recall) get 38 out of 40 correct including all the basic safety questions. The test is conducted after about an hours lecture – if you read through the firearms booklet it’s mostly common sense.
If you pass, you’ll get the license in the post 2-4 weeks later.

That was the process for owning bolt action sporting rifles, semi-auto rifles and shotguns.

There are separate categories for antique firearms, pistols and military style automatics.

To bring my rifles over from the UK I used a specialist firm to a) store them whilst the above was happening and b) to arrange the UK DTI export license as well as the transportation to Christchurch of the rifles and ammunition.

You can bring a firearm over on a visitors visa - but not if you’re in the process of applying for PR.

Getting the import license is easy if the firearms in question are listed on the police approved firearms list, which I think you can download from their website. If they do not appear on this list there is a process to go through to gain import approval.

An important point to make is to ensure you have valuations of the firearms (e.g. copies of purchase invoices) and to declare them to customs when they arrive as part of your import of personal belongings – this to ensure you don’t get charged GST on their value and the cost of shipping them here.

If hunting is your thing, it’s good to join the New Zealand Deer Association a) for their liability insurance and b) to make contacts. Also good to apply for a Department of Conservation hunting permit (free) to gain access to the public hunting blocks around the country.

Hope that helps – happy to help further if required.