New Zealand’s firearms laws have been updated and modernised. 

As part of these changes, day-to-day responsibility for the firearms regulatory system is shifting to an independent regulator – Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand (FSE). NZ Police continue to focus on criminal law enforcement.

Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand will be focused on:
•    encouraging a culture of community safety; 
•    enabling legitimate possession and use; 
•    ensuring compliance through education and enforcement; and 
•    providing simpler, smarter services for firearms licence holders.

To support this shift, the new regulator plans to introduce a Dedicated Arms System. This includes improved digital tools for registration, case management, and licensing — making the process more accurate, more efficient, and easier for legitimate firearms users.

What the 2026 changes mean for you