Public discussion document on regulations for a firearms registry and related documents

In 2020, a number of changes were made to the Arms Act 1983 through the Arms Legislation Act 2020 to strengthen the control and regulation of firearms in Aotearoa. Not all of the changes have come into force at the same time. Instead, implementation is in phases. The next group of changes will come into force on 24 June 2023.

These changes provide for the establishment of a registry to store and link information on all firearms and other arms items and their licence holders. This will enable greater and more centralised oversight of the number and location of firearms and other arms items in New Zealand.

New Zealand Police released a public consultation document with proposals for regulations on 31 August 2022. The following papers include the advice provided to the Minister of Police and Cabinet to support the release of the public discussion document. 

Key to sections of the Official Information Act 1982 under which information has been withheld.

Certain information in the document has been withheld under one or more of the following sections of the Official Information Act 1982:

• Information is withheld under section 9(2)(a) to protect the privacy of natural persons.
• Information is withheld under section 9(2)(i) where making information available may disadvantage the Crown in negotiations with vendors while the registry is being developed.