Firearms reform

We are reforming New Zealand's firearms laws and regulations to provide for greater protection of public safety and simplify regulatory requirements to improve compliance.

Objectives

The firearms reform programme will deliver a firearms system that:

imposes controls that protect individuals and the public from fire-arms related harm
supports the safe possession and use of firearms and other weapons for legitimate purposes, such as sports, hunting, collecting, and pest control.

Why we are doing this

Since the Act was passed 40 years ago, it has been changed many times, including in response to events in New Zealand’s history where there were many deaths involving firearms. One tragic example of this was on 15 March 2019, when a terrorist attacked worshippers at two Christchurch mosques.

Changes to the Act were often made quickly. This meant that a thorough review of all rules in the Act was often not possible at the time. This has resulted in today’s firearms rules being complicated to understand for a range of firearms users, making it hard for some users to know what to do to comply.

To address this, the Government made a commitment in the Coalition Agreement between the National Party and the ACT Party to reform the firearms system in this Parliamentary term.

How we are delivering the work

The Coalition Agreement between the National Party and the ACT Party committed to making changes to several parts of the firearms system.

This has been broken up into four overlapping phases of work. Phase 1 is now complete, and the other phases are in different stages of development.

Phase 1: Effective enforcement (improvements to Firearms Prohibition Orders)

This was part of a first 100-days coalition commitment to give Police additional power to search gang members for firearms. This will help prevent high-risk people from legally accessing or using firearms or associating with people who have firearms. The additional powers were enabled through amendments to the Firearms Prohibition Orders system. The Firearms Prohibition Orders Legislation Amendment Act 2024 was passed in September 2024 and the law will came into effect in March 2025.

Phase 2: Regulating shooting clubs and shooting ranges

This addresses concerns about Part 6 of the Arms Act relating to the controls placed on shooting clubs and shooting ranges in 2020. The bill was passed by Parliament(external link) on 26 March 2025. The Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges, and Other Matters) Amendment Act received Royal assent on 29 March 2025 and came into force on 29 June 2025.

You can read more at:

New Zealand Parliament website: Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges, and Other Matters) Amendment Bill - New Zealand Parliament(external link)

New Zealand Legislation website: Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges, and Other Matters) Amendment Act (external link)

Guidance on the new rules for shooting clubs and ranges is available on the Firearms Safety Authority website.(external link)

Phase 3: Institutional arrangements for effective and efficient regulation

This involves a review of the Firearms Registry to determine if it is effectively improving public safety. Phase 3 also involves the transfer of the Firearms Safety Authority, regulator of the Arms Act, to another department.

Phase 4: A systematic rewrite to modernise the Arms Act 1983

This will involve rewriting the Arms Act to ensure it provides for greater protection of public safety, reflects best practice, and is fit for purpose.

Public consultation on the Arms Act rewrite

From 13 January to 28 February 2025, we invited public submissions to assist us with the Arms Act rewrite. We want to hear your thoughts on what works, what doesn't, and what needs to change.

Discussion document

We developed a detailed discussion document to help people make their submissions. The document divides the Act into seven key themes and seeks your views on key areas within each theme. It includes a glossary to clarify technical terms.

Summary version

We have also created a summary version of the discussion document that is shorter, less technical and available in English, Arabic, Bengali, Somali, Urdu, New Zealand Sign Language, as well as in large print, e-braille and audio.

Arms Act rewrite summary version of the discussion document - New Zealand Sign Language

Submissions on the Arms Act rewrite

Public submissions on the rewrite of the Arms Act closed at midnight on 28 February 2025. The Ministry of Justice thanks everyone who made a submission.

If you want to know more about our firearms reform work, you can email us at: firearms@justice.govt.nz

Frequently asked questions

Now that the public consultation has closed, how might my submission affect how the Act is changed?

Your submission will help the Government understand where the Act is and isn’t working. Your thoughts and ideas will feed into an analysis process where the Ministry of Justice will carefully consider the voices of all communities that could be affected by the rewrite. You will have an opportunity to provide further feedback on specific policy proposals when the bill goes through the Select Committee process. This is expected to occur in late 2025.

The Arms Act was changed recently following the Christchurch mosque attacks. Why do we need to change it again?

The rewrite of the Act will look wider than just the parts of the Act that were changed following the Christchurch mosque attacks.

Will other firearms legislation be reviewed in the rewrite of the Arms Act?

No, the public consultation will only look at the rewrite of the Arms Act and the related Arms Regulations 1992.

What is not in scope?

The following aspects of firearm reform are not in scope for this public consultation because they either relate to other legislation or have been or are being progressed through other phases of the firearms reform programme:

changes to legislation other than the Arms Act, such as the Crimes Act 1961
the transfer of the Firearms Safety Authority to another department
the Firearms Registry
exemptions under the Act for the New Zealand Defence Force, Police and Corrections officers and the New Zealand Customs Service.

When will any changes to the Act take effect?

The Government has committed to passing a bill by the end of this Parliamentary term in 2026. Once the bill has passed, the Government will determine when the changes will take effect.

Was the public consultation on the Arms Act rewrite my only opportunity to have my voice heard?

No, this is not your only opportunity to have your voice heard. Public submissions will inform draft policy proposals to be presented to Cabinet. These proposals will help shape the bill, which the Government will draft and introduce to Parliament. You will then have another chance to provide input through the select committee process. The bill is expected to be introduced in late 2025.

Why were changes made earlier to shooting clubs and ranges?

Earlier this year, changes to improve compliance with the Arms Act were introduced in the Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges and Other Matters) Amendment Bill. This Bill intends to improve public safety outcomes by simplifying the regulatory requirements for non-pistol shooting clubs and ranges and changing some of the inspection requirements.

The public had an opportunity to make submissions during the select committee stage of the bill. The bill is being progressed through the Justice Committee. You are welcome to provide further feedback on these changes through the public consultation about the Arms Act rewrite.

What will happen to the Firearms Safety Authority?

The Coalition Agreement between the National Party and the ACT Party agrees that the FSA be transferred to another department. This work is being considered by the Ministry of Justice.

What will happen to the Firearms Registry?

The Firearms Registry is not included in the public consultation on the Arms Act. The question of whether the Registry is effectively improving public safety is currently being considered by the Ministry of Justice as part of the broader firearms reform programme.

What is the difference between the Arms Act 1983 and the Arms Regulations 1992?

The Arms Act 1983 sets out the purpose and overarching controls for the safe use and possession of firearms. The Arms Regulations 1992 provide specific details on how to comply with the law. When the Arms Act is rewritten, the Arms Regulations will also be updated to align with the revised Act.

Our framework

Our framework guides how we develop new policy through the firearms reform to ensure it is cohesive, consistent and contributes to the reform’s objectives.

Criteria to guide the development and assessment of proposals

Controls imposed by the firearms system should:

contribute to protecting the public from firearms-related harm

be simple and easy to understand and apply

be necessary to achieve the overarching objectives

protect individual freedoms and rights and the security and privacy of personal information

provide for effective and efficient delivery of service.

Our approach

Recognising the wide public interest and diversity of views about how firearms are controlled, our approach to reform will:

be undertaken in an open and transparent manner that enhances trust and confidence

be informed by evidence and best practice

balance input, information, and practicalities from a range of stakeholders.

Minister’s Arms Advisory Group

The Minister’s Arms Advisory Group (MAAG) advises the Minister on matters that contribute to achieving the objectives of the Arms Act, in particular, the safe use and control of firearms. The Ministry of Justice performs the secretariat function.

It provides advice on any matter relating to firearms in New Zealand, including:

legislative proposals

policies for controlling New Zealand’s firearms system

the promotion of firearms safety.

MAAG is made up of a balance of members from both firearm-owning and the non-firearm-owning communities. This includes people who are concerned about the mitigation of harm from firearms from a health perspective.

You can find out more about MAAG on the NZ Police website.

Minister's Arms Advisory Group(external link) (external link)

Contact us

Please contact us if you want to know more about our firearms reform work. You can email us at firearms@justice.govt.nz

Cabinet papers and related information

This page was last updated: 07th August 2025