Proactive release of papers regarding the Consultation: Arms Regulations Review of Fees 2022

On 8 December 2022, NZ Police, released a discussion document for public consultation that seeks the views of licence holders and the general public on options and proposals for fees applying to licensing, permitting and regulatory approval provided for in the Arms Act 1983.

Licence fees were last set in 1999 and, other than GST adjustments, haven’t increased since then. For more than 20 years the cost of firearms licensing has been increasingly subsidised by the taxpayer as costs have risen. Some services of direct commercial and private benefit, such as applications for import permits, are delivered for free.

A greater contribution towards the cost of providing regulatory services (licences, endorsements, permits, approvals) is being sought. Any decision on proposed new fees will need to be made by Cabinet following submission analysis.

Police has proactively released documents relating to information on the methodology for determining the proposed fees, costings of firearms licences and dealer’s licences, and the relevant Cabinet paper and minute approving the release of the discussion document. It is available to read below.