Firearm Safety | Firearms Licence

The New Zealand Police are committed to firearms safety.

Changes to airgun/air rifle ownership forms.
Important notice for owners of pre-charged pneumatic air rifles 

Visitors Firearms Licence and Permit to Import can now be completed online using our secure forms.

Complete Visitors Firearms Licence and Permit to Import Application Online

How to obtain or renew a firearms licence

If you are 16 years or over, you can apply for or renew a licence at your local police station. Download the Application for a New Zealand Firearms Licence form. You must apply in person to an Arms Officer.

Bring with you:

  • Your old licence (if you have one)
  • One recent passport style photo (Department of Internal Affairs Website)
  • Three documents that prove your identity (passport, birth certificate, drivers licence, Photo ID, credit card/bank card)
  • Contact details of two referees. One referee must be your spouse or next of kin, the other must be someone who is over 20 years and not related to you. You will need to provide their full name, address, date of birth and phone number.
  • Post Shop receipt for fees.

Application fees (incl. GST) are payable at any Post Shop:

  • Standard licence: $126.50 - For a new firearms licence or renewal of a licence before expiry.
  • Visitor's licence: $25.00 - For any person visiting New Zealand for less than 12 months. Includes any application for an endorsement to the licence to possess a pistol and/or Millitary-style semi-automatic rifle or shotgun for competition purposes.
  • Dealer's licence: $200.00 - For a new dealer's licence or renewal of a dealer's licence.
  • Standard licence expired: $241.50 - For any person whose previous firearms licence either expired, or was a "life time licence" which was deemed revoked.
  • Standard licence replacement: $25.00 - For a replacement firearms licence (eg, current licence lost/stolen/damaged, change of name).
  • Standard licence endorsement(s): $200.00 - For one or more endorsements to a standard firearms licence, for the posession of; Target pistols ("B" endorsement), Millitary-style semi-automatic rifles or shotguns [MSSA] ("E" 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), Pistols or restricted weapons for hire or sale ("F" endorsement - dealers or their employees).
  • Dealer's gun show consent: $50.00 - Application by a dealer for consent for a gun show.

Read more about renewing a licence whilst living overseas.

Types of firearms licences

If you are 16 years or over and have or use a firearm (except under immediate supervision of a licence holder) you need a firearms licence.

A standard firearms licence allows you to have and use sporting type shotguns and rifles. You also need this licence if you are aged 16 and 17 years and wish to buy or use an airgun. Standard licences are valid for 10 years. A licence holder will require an endorsement to:

  • Own pistols (B endorsement)
  • Collect firearms, or stage theatrical performances involving firearms (C endorsement)
  • Own or possess military style semi-automatic rifles or shot guns (E endorsement)

A visitor's licence is for a person visiting New Zealand and is valid for 12 months, or when the person leaves (which ever is shorter). Applicants must show they are a bona fide shooter in their own country. People intending to stay in New Zealand for more than 12 months must apply for a standard licence.

A dealer's Licence is for arms dealers who buy, sell or make firearms by way of business. This licence is valid for one year. People who hire out firearms also require a licence.

Notification of change of address

If you have changed address since your firearms licence was issued, you are required by law to let us know.

Click here to go to the secure email form to change your address.

When you click Send your notification is sent to the Firearms unit at New Zealand Police. You will immediately be e-mailed a confirmation that your Notification was sent. Within five working days you will receive email confirmation that your record has been updated. Within a month you may also be contacted by your local Arms Officer to inspect your firearm security at your new address.

The Arms Code

The Arms Code is a firearms safety manual compiled by the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council and the New Zealand Police. You can download a PDF version of the Arms Code [PDF 1.28 MB]. It is also available free at all Police stations.

The Arms Code forms the basis of the Firearms Safety Test which must be sat by all firearms licence applicants.


Safe firearms storage

Firearms must be stored in the manner set out in the Arms Regulations. All licence holders must install security at their home, regardless of whether or not they actually posess any firearms.

Security requirements are particularly strict for dealers and for licence holders who possess pistols, restricted weapons or military style semi-automatics (MSSAs).

  • You must never put a firearm where a child could reach it.
  • You must store firearms and ammunition separate or disable the firearms, or both.
  • You must keep your firearms unloaded and locked away in a cupboard or storeroom.

If these requirements are not observed, your licence may be revoked.

Gaining approval to bring firearms into New Zealand

As an importer, visitor or competitor, you need a permit to bring firearms into New Zealand. This applies to all firearms.

More information on bringing firearms into New Zealand.

Exporting firearms, parts and ammunition from New Zealand

An export permit is required before firearms, components, accessories, ammunition and other weapons may be taken out of New Zealand. These controls apply regardless of the state, completeness or working condition of the items.

Permits are issued free of charge by the International Security and Disarmament Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Certain exemptions exist for antique items, temporary exports for hunting trips or sporting competitions, visitors to New Zealand and exports for the purposes of repair and return. Please note that these exemptions do not apply to Pacific Island destinations.

Further information and application forms are available from the Business Gateway (Strategic Goods) on the Ministry's website www.mfat.govt.nz or by contacting the Ministry directly by phone 04 439 8227 or email exportcontrols@mfat.govt.nz.


Further information about firearms

 

Contact Us

For more information on firearms via secure email form.