New Zealand firearms licence

Download an application for a New Zealand firearms licence (PDF 111KB)

Who needs a New Zealand firearms licence

If you are 16 years old or over you can apply for a firearms licence. This will allow you to have and use unsupervised:

shotguns and rifles that do not require an endorsement (as below)
specially dangerous airguns (including pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air rifles).

You need a special addition to your licence (called an endorsement) to:

possess or use pistols for target shooting (B endorsement)
collect pistols and restricted weapons or stage theatrical performances involving pistols and restricted weapons (C endorsement)
possess or use military-style semi-automatic (MSSA) rifles or shotguns (E endorsement)
possess pistols and restricted weapons in your capacity as a dealer or their employee (F endorsement).

Anyone can use an A Category firearm without a licence if they are under the immediate supervision of a licence holder. Anyone can use a pistol if they are on the range of an incorporated pistol club that is recognised by the Commissioner of Police, and under the immediate supervision of licence holder with a B endorsement. 'Immediate supervision' means the licensed person is within reach and can control the firearm. The supervisor must not be using another firearm at the same time.

Note: If you are visiting New Zealand for less than a year and need a firearms licence, apply for a visitor licence.

Using airguns

If you are 18 or older you do not need a licence to own or use an airgun. You do need a New Zealand firearms licence to use specially dangerous airguns (including pre-charged pneumatic air rifles), except those used in airsoft/military simulation (MilSim) and paintball sports.

If you are 16 or 17 years old and wish to buy or use an airgun unsupervised, you need a New Zealand firearms licence.

How to apply for a New Zealand firearms licence

Step 1

Complete the application form

Print and fill in the application for a New Zealand firearms licence (PDF, 111KB).

Don’t fill in the safety test on the back of the form at this stage.

Step 2

Pay your application fee

Take your completed application form to a PostShop and pay the firearms licence application fee. Attach the receipt to your application form. You can get your passport photos taken (for step 3) at the same time if you need to.

Firearms licence application fees (including GST) as at 2018 are:

Type of fee	Fee
Licence fee for new licence holders	$126.50
Licence fee before expiry of last licence	$126.50
Licence fee after expiry of last licence	$241.50
Fee for one or more endorsements (if you apply for them at the same time) allowing you to have: target pistols (B endorsement) a collection of pistols or restricted weapons (C Collectors or Museum endorsement) pistols or restricted weapons for performing a play/film/re-enactment (C Theatrical endorsement) military-style semi-automatic rifles or shotguns (E endorsement) pistols or restricted weapons for hire or sale (F endorsement - dealers)	$204.00

Step 3

Get two recent colour passport style photos

Attach these photos to your application form. Your photos must be:

35mm x 45mm untrimmed
taken not more than 12 months from when you supply it
a good likeness of you
a full front view of your face, head, and shoulders, with your head filling most of the photo
taken without a hat or head covering unless you wear either for religious reasons
taken against a plain, light-coloured background
a coloured photo
printed on good quality paper
identical.

Step 4

Deliver your application to Police

Take your application to your nearest police station. Remember to take:

your application form
the PostShop receipt for your application fee
two recent passport style photos
your firearms licence (if you have one)
three documents that prove your identity (passport, birth certificate, driver licence, photo ID, credit card/bank card). At least one of the documents needs to have a photo of you.

What happens next

Step 5	Police background check Police will carry out an initial background check relevant to whether you are a fit and proper person to possess firearms or airguns.
Step 6	Firearms safety programme If you’re applying for your first firearms licence and you haven’t attended the old firearms safety course, or the Whakatūpato programme, then you need to complete the new firearms safety programme (that is, pass a theory test and undergo practical training) to obtain a firearms licence for the first time. If you’re applying for your first licence and you have successfully completed the old firearms safety course, or the Whakatūpato programme, then you don’t need to complete the new firearms safety programme. If you’re an existing or previous licence holder applying for a new firearms licence, you will (as now) be directed by Police to either complete a firearms safety test (in the application form) during the licensing process, or to undertake the firearms safety programme. Note: You need to receive the firearms safety programme confirmation letter from Police before you sit the theory test and attend the practical training. To complete the firearms safety programme you will need to: study the Arms Code thoroughly. We also recommend that you complete the Arms Code Quiz to help you to prepare sit the firearms theory test. This is a computer-based theory test that you must pass attend the firearms practical training course. The course covers safe handling and use of firearms. You need to pass the firearms theory test before you attend.
Step 7	Police interviews and security check Police will arrange a visit to interview you and check your firearms security arrangements. We’ll also interview your referees and complete any remaining enquiries.
Step 8	Firearms licence approval Police will evaluate if you are a fit and proper person to possess or use firearms, before deciding whether to approve your firearms licence application. If your application is approved, you’ll be issued a firearms licence.

If your firearms licence is due to expire while you are overseas

You cannot renew a firearms licence while you are overseas - you must apply in person at the Police station nearest to where you live or work in New Zealand.

If you are overseas, we advise you to surrender your licence before it expires. On your return to New Zealand you can then apply for a new firearms licence which is currently cheaper than renewing an expired licence.

To surrender your licence before it expires, contact the Arms Officer nearest to where you normally live or work in New Zealand. Keep the firearms licence and a copy of the message you send the Arms Officer. Apply for a new licence when you get back to New Zealand. You can shoot A Category firearms under immediate supervision of a current firearms licence holder while waiting for your new licence.

Contact your nearest Arms Office.

Change of contact details

If you have changed your address or other contact details since your firearms licence was issued, you are required by law to let us know within 30 days. Change address on firearms licence.