The Firearms Regulatory System

For information about the rewrite of the Arms Act, visit the Firearms reform page. 

Key statutes 

  • Arms Act 1983 
  • Search and Surveillance Act 2012
  • Crimes Act 1961
  • Family Violence Act 2018
  • Intelligence and Security Act 2017

Key secondary legislation

  • Arms Regulations 1992
  • Arms (Restricted Weapons and Specially Dangerous Airguns) Order 1984
  • Arms (Military Style Semi-automatic Firearms—Pistol Grips) Order 2013
  • Arms (Prohibited Magazine) Order 2019
  • Arms (Prohibited Ammunition) Order 2019
  • Privacy (Information Sharing Agreement between New Zealand Gang Intelligence Centre Activities) Order 2018

Minister's Arms Advisory Group

On 24 June 2020, the Arms Act 1983 (the Act) was amended to provide for the establishment of a statutory advisory body to advise the responsible Minister on effective firearms regulation. The Minister’s Arms Advisory Group (MAAG) was first convened in April 2021 and has met regularly since then. 

The purpose of the MAAG is to advise the responsible Minister on matters that contribute to achieving the objectives of the Act, in particular the safe use and control of firearms. 

The MAAG may provide advice on any matter relating to firearms in New Zealand, including legislative proposals, policies for regulating New Zealand’s firearms regime, and the promotion of firearms safety. 

MAAG members comprise a balance of people from both the firearm-owning and the non-firearm-owning community, including people who are concerned about the mitigation of harm from firearms from a health perspective. 

Member biographies

Rehanna Ali was reappointed for a further three-year term on 10 June 2024. Ms Ali was a member of the Muslim Community Reference Group to the Royal Commission of Inquiry undertaking research into legal, regulatory and legislative frameworks relating to firearms both in New Zealand and overseas; New Zealand gun licensing regulations; and working with victims of gun violence.  

Michael Dowling was reappointed for a three-year term on 28 April 2026. Mr Dowling is Vice-Chair and Treasurer of the Council of Licenced Firearms Owners (COLFO), and a board member of the New Zealand Council of Victim Support Groups. Mr Dowling brings technical knowledge of firearms and experience with the firearms owning community. He has extensive governance experience as a Director of a financial advisory company and has voluntary involvement in various organisations. 

Professor Alexander (Al) Gillespie was reappointed for a term of two years, nine months and 29 days commencing on 30 June 2026. Professor Gillespie lectures on firearms regulation and the law at the University of Waikato. He has written extensively on firearms regulation in New Zealand for both the academic community and the general public. He is the top-ranked (equal) Law Professor in New Zealand, has written 19 books and received five national or international awards. 

Don Hammond was reappointed as Chair of the MAAG for a further three-year term on 10 June 2024. Mr Hammond brings business, leadership and governance skills, and knowledge of firearms and pest control. He is currently Chair and shareholder of a number of private farming and forestry entities, and not-for-profit entities. 

Deborah (Debbie) Lamb was reappointed for a further three-year term on 6 November 2025. Mrs Lamb is the Chair of Pistol New Zealand, Vice-President of the New Zealand Shooting Federation, and a founding member of the Firearms Community Advisory Forum. She is actively involved in a variety of competition shooting for pistol, rifle and shotgun, and is professionally involved in the education sector. 

Michael Spray was appointed for a three-year term on 6 November 2025. He is a member of the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association and is the National HUNTS Coordinator. He brings leadership and technical expertise in firearms safety, training, and policy development from a variety of roles in New Zealand, Australia, and the South Pacific.  

Associate Professor Shayne Walker was reappointed for a further three-year term on 6 November 2025. Associate Professor Walker is co-head of the Social and Community Work Programme at the University of Otago. He is an occasional recreational hunter. He is Co-Chair of Voyce Whakarongomai (a mentoring role) and has served on the Family Violence Death Review Committee since 2018. Mr Walker brings lived experience, skills, knowledge, and academic work in Te Ao Māori. 

Members collectively possess knowledge and experience the following areas: 

  • New Zealand and international firearms regulatory systems 
  • Public health and safety, particularly as it relates to firearms 
  • Firearms research 
  • Delivering firearms safety training and safe and use of firearms 
  • Membership of any community organisation or group involved in firearms awareness, safety, or law reform 
  • Ability to work with Te Ao Māori and New Zealand’s diverse population. 

Fees and expenses 

MAAG fees and expenses are in accordance with the Cabinet Fees Framework(external link) for members appointed to bodies in which the Crown has an interest [CO (25) 2]  

Resources and support

Resources and administrative support are provided by the Ministry of Justice in accordance with section 89(4) of the Act. The Chair and members are supported by a Secretariat, who is accountable to the Ministry of Justice, to enable the MAAG to perform its functions. 

Annual Reports

MAAG Annual Report 2022-23 [PDF, 269 KB]

MAAG Annual Report 2021-22 [PDF, 226 KB]

MAAG Annual Report 2020-21 [PDF, 196 KB]

Forward work

The Government is reforming firearms law and regulation to provide for greater protection of public safety and to simplify regulatory requirements to improve compliance. For more information, visit the Firearms reform page.

 

 

 
Share