Our mission at Te Tari Pūreke – Firearms Safety Authority is to make firearms use in Aotearoa the safest in the world. We do this by effectively regulating firearms use and possession to help keep our communities safe.

Video transcript

The video opens on drone footage of a picturesque view of a valley somewhere in New Zealand, from high up on a hill looking down across sheep-covered paddocks and trees, across to a mountain ridge on the horizon. Birdsong can be heard in the background as well as some gentle music. 

The next scene shows a close up side on view of a hunter in a hooded jacket kneeling on the ground behind a dead tree stump, aiming his firearm up a ridge. 

Female voiceover: "For many New Zealanders, firearms are a part of life." 

The man looks through his rifle scope, takes aim and fires.

Female Voiceover: "Some of us..."

The scene changes to show the hunter walking back towards his all-terrain vehicle, firearm pointed downwards, carrying a rabbit carcass by the back legs. There are two dogs in the back of the ATV.

Female Voiceover: "...use them to keep our land productive."

The hunter places the rabbit on the floor of the ATV. The scene changes to show a close up of the hunter at his vehicle, patting one of the chained dogs on the chin.

The scene changes again to show another hunter and child with their backs to the camera, walking along a bush track. The hunter is carrying a deer carcass over his shoulders and back. The dead deer wears an orange safety vest. The boy wears an orange cap and is carrying an orange backpack and a firearm on his back.

Female Voiceover: "Others to feed their whānau."

Hunter: (in background) "What do you think Mom would say?"

The camera angle changes to show the hunter and child from the front on. The hunter has the deer's front legs over his shoulders and his clutching the back legs in his hands. The deer's head lolls to the right.

Female Voiceover: "For many, it's a sport or pastime." 

The next scene shows a close up of a young adult male wearing glasses and protective ear muffs. He raises a firearm and starts to take aim at something in the distance.

Shooting range instructor: (in background) "You're good to go..."

Next we see a close up of the range instructor standing behind the young adult. He's wearing a cap, sunglasses and protective ear muffs.

Shooting range instructor: (on camera) "...just take your time." 

Female Voiceover: "An activity that brings people together."

The scene changes back to the young adult male wearing glasses and protective ear muffs with a firearm raised.  He licks his lips and blows out a big breath nervously.

Young shooter: "Pull"

The camera angle changes to show the view from the perspective of over the shooter's shoulder. The focus is on clay targets that have been launched towards the sky on the horizon, while the shooter's silhouette is out of focus. Two shots are heard and seen firing from the shooter's firearm. One of the shots hits the clay target and it falls to the ground.

Cheering is heard off camera. The scene changes to show a small group of people of various ages, all wearing protective ear muffs, some sitting on steel steps, others standing. They are all smiling, clapping and cheering the young shooter on.

The next scene is set inside a house. There is a stag head mounted on the wall and a fire roaring in a log burner. An adult male hunter is opening a gun safe and placing a firearm inside it. 

Female Voiceover: "In the right hands..." 

The camera zooms in to show other firearms stacked in the same gun safe. 

Female Voiceover: "...with the right safety measures..."

The next shot shows a young boy of about 8 years standing in the house next to a chair, watching the hunter put away his firearm. 

Female Voiceover: "...firearms are an important tool." 

The camera angle changes back to show the hunter closing and then kneeling down to lock his gun safe.

Female Voiceover: "But without good practices and sensible precautions..."

The hunter stands back up and walks away from the gun safe.

Female Voiceover: "...they pose a real risk to others." 

The scene changes to a shot in the Te Tari Pūreke office. There is a dark green wall at the back and signage on the wall in white. The signage reads: 'Te Tari Pūreke, Firearms Safety Authority'. In front of the wall, a Registry staff member is sitting in a booth facing the camera and talking with a colleague facing him. Both staff members have laptops open and on the table between them. The colleague is off camera.

Registry staff member (in background): "...so we can get that plan for Monday. How does that sound?"

The Registry staff member nods at his colleague.

Female Voiceover: "At Te Tari Pūreke, the Firearms Safety Authority..."

The scene changes again to show various Te Tari Pūreke staff in the office, sitting at desks or small tables, typing on laptops or looking at monitor screens.

One female staff member turns to talk to another one seated beside her. Staff member Missy is wearing a pink dress and white tennis shoes.

Female Voiceover: "...it's our mission to support the safe and responsible use of firearms in Aotearoa."

The next shot shows a female staff member wearing a headset and speaking into the headset microphone while typing on her laptop. 

Female staffer (in background): "Kia ora and welcome to Te Tari Pūreke, the Firearms Safety Authority..."

The camera switches back to the wider office scene, focusing on two colleagues standing in front of their desks talking.

Female Voiceover: "We are a team of around 500 people..." 

The camera angle changes to show a close up of a laptop open to the Te Tari Pūreke website and the hands of a staff member scrolling down the home page using the track pad.

Female Voiceover: "...working in 12 districts across the motu...

The scene switches back to the wider office, showing several staff members working at desks, either sitting or standing. 

Female Voiceover: "...helping make our communities safer. 

One staff member rises from her chair and pushes it under her desk. 

Female staff member (in background): "You too."

The staff member leaves the office area and walks off camera.

Female Voiceover: "Our job is engaging and educating license holders..." 

In the next shot, we see the female staff member grab her coat from a coat rack next to a wall featuring office signage. The wall is dark green and has text in white. The signage reads: 'Te Tari Pūreke, Firearms Safety Authority'. In front of the wall, a Registry staff member is sitting in a booth facing the camera and talking with a colleague facing him. Both staff members have laptops open and on the table between them. The colleague is off camera but we can see his or her shoulder.

Female Voiceover: "...on their responsibilities..."

The camera angle changes to a close up of the Registry staff member seated at the booth. The female staff member waves at him and his colleague as she walks past. 

Female staff member (in background): "Ka kite anō"

The Registry staff member waves back at her.

Registry staff member (in background): "See ya"

Female Voiceover: "...as well as providing..." 

The scene changes again to drone footage high above a car travelling along a back country road as the sun sets behind hills on the horizon. There are no other cars on the road. 

Female Voiceover: "...a robust and modern licensing system." 

The next shot is a side profile close up of a female driving a car. We see it is the staff member who left the office earlier.

Female Voiceover: "This means sharing our understanding..." 

The scene changes to show the outside of a small wooden cabin, with the young boy from an earlier scene standing on the deck and his father hunter walking across the lawn in front of the cabin to greet the Te Tari Pūreke staff member who is walking towards him from left of camera. Both are extending their hands towards each other.

Female Voiceover: "...of firearms regulations and safety practices..."

The next shot is a close up of the Te Tari Pūreke staff member as she shakes hands with the hunter. The shot changes to show a close up of the hunter as he shakes hands with the staff member. The two turn their backs to the camera and walk off in the direction of the cabin deck. The boy walks away from the approaching adults, and they all walk towards the cabin door.

Female Voiceover: "...so licence holders everywhere can do the right things."

The scene changes to show a close up of a female hunter wearing a white wool beanie and gloves, holding open a firearm to show an empty barrel. She closes it with a snap and places it inside a gun cabinet that contains several other firearms.

Female Voiceover: "Te Tari Pūreke checks that people are fit and proper..."

The next shot is from behind, showing the female hunter closing the gun cabinet, while the Te Tari Pūreke staff member looks on and points towards the ceiling.

Female Voiceover: "...to possess firearms and we have begun keeping records of where firearms are through the Registry."

The camera angle changes to show a close up of the female attaching a large padlock to the gun cabinet and locking it.

The scene changes to show the female hunter and the Te Tari Pūreke staff member standing in front of several parked cars, shaking hands.

Female Voiceover: "Relationships are key to how we operate as New Zealand's Firearms regulator." 

The Te Tari Pūreke staff member smiles at the hunter and walks towards a car.

Te Tari Pūreke staff member (in background): "See you later." 

Female hunter (in background): "Thanks for your visit."

The scene changes to show the Te Tari Pūreke staff member with her back to the camera, walking towards a wooden house as a man with a black jacket approaches from the house with a dog at his side.

Female Voiceover: "We work with our communities offering advice and hearing concerns." 

The two shake hands.

Te Tari Pūreke staff member (in background): "Hello what's the's name? How are you?" 

Man (in background): "Yeah Shane, yeah."

The man's dog licks the hand of the Te Tari Pūreke staff member and she reaches down to pat it.

Te Tari Pūreke staff member  (in background): "G'day, what's this one's name?"

Man (in background): "Wade."

Te Tari Pūreke staff member (in background): "Wade?"

Man (in background): "Yeah. Come in for a cup of tea"

Female Voiceover: "The deeper the trust the better the outcomes."

The Te Tari Pūreke staff member and the man walk off towards the house. The scene changes to show them sitting at a wooden table on the deck of the house.

Te Tari Pūreke staff member (in background): "Whereabouts are those kept?"

Man (in background): "...they're locked up in the garage."

The next shot shows the Te Tari Pūreke staff member in her car, driving again.

Female Voiceover: "Through collaboration commitment and consistency..."

The next scene shows the Te Tari Pūreke staff member getting out of her car, which is parked in a lookout area. She closes the car door and walks away from the car.

Female Voiceover: "...we believe firearms use in Aotearoa..." 

The camera zooms out and up behind the staff member as she walks out onto a grassed area high above Wellington city.

Female Voiceover: "...can be the safest in the world."

The next shot is a close up of the Te Tari Pūreke staff member with her back to the camera, looking out over the view of the city.

Female Voiceover: "To find out more about Te Tari Pūreke, head to our website."

Music increases in volume.

The screen changes to an end screen which is white with the Te Tari Pūreke logo - Te Tari Pūreke, Firearms Safety Authority. Underneath the logo, text says: firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz

Music tapers off. 

[ENDS]

Our purpose

Tō mātou pūtake

Possessing and using a firearm is a privilege. Our purpose is to effectively regulate the legitimate possession and use of firearms to keep all communities safe.

Following the Christchurch Mosque attacks on 15 March 2019, changes were made to the Arms Act 1983. The Arms Legislation Act 2020 further strengthened the legislative framework and improved its overall functioning.

A Royal Commission of Inquiry into the attack was completed in late 2020.

The Inquiry made further specific recommendations creating a more efficient and effective risk-based firearms licensing system.

As a result of these changes, Police is moving from being an administrator of the Arms Act by standing up Te Tari Pūreke to become an effective regulator. 

In our role as regulator, we will enable fit and proper people to legitimately use firearms in New Zealand and seek to protect the public from the harm that may be caused by the misuse of firearms.

We are a business unit of Police. 

Our role

Tō mātou tūranga

We are the regulator for firearms. As a new regulator, we will build trust and confidence in our ability to effectively regulate.

Te Tari Pūreke has three core functions:

  • to effectively implement the firearms licensing system
  • to manage the Firearms Registry
  • to educate people to enable compliance and promote the safe use of legitimate firearms.

In our regulatory role, we will monitor ongoing performance and work collaboratively with others to enable us to respond to future changes in the firearms system.

Who we regulate

  • Licence holders
  • Dealers
  • Clubs and ranges
  • Collectors
  • Manufacturers

Activities we regulate

  • Import
  • Sale
  • Purchase
  • Transfer
  • Transport
  • Storage
  • Use
  • Export
  • Destruction

Strategic partnership with wider Police

While Te Tari Pūreke delivers the regulatory functions under the Arms Act as a separate business unit, we collaborate closely with wider Police, ensuring that operational Police have the information and insights to strengthen investigations and intelligence to mitigate risk.

Together we monitor, manage and seek to continuously improve our collaborative approach to the firearms regulatory environment.

Our Governance

Te Tari Pūreke will provide regular updates to the firearms system governance bodies.Firearms Governance

Firearms Community Advisory Group (FCAF)

Our leadership

Angela Brazier

Angela Brazier is Executive Director – Firearms, appointed to the role in September 2022.

Prior to this Angela was the Transitional Executive Director, Firearms Branded Business Unit from October 2021.

Angela has a strong history with NZ Police holding senior roles across corporate, strategic and transformational areas of both the Royal NZ Police College and Police National Headquarters since 2004. Angela has led several major change initiatives including the Policing 2021 Transformation Programme.

Angela worked in the private sector in the UK for 12 years prior to joining Police.

 

Angela Brazier


Richard Wilson

Richard Wilson is the Director Operations, appointed to the role in December 2021.

Prior to taking up the role of Director Operations, Richard has worked in a range of Response and Operational roles within Police. These roles include being a member of the Armed Offenders Squad in Canterbury, National Shift Commander, National Operations Manager in Response and Operations, Director for the Second Amnesty and Buyback and most recently National Manager for District Firearms Operations.

Richard was a private business owner before joining Police in 2010.

 

Richard Wilson


Mike McIlraith

Mike McIlraith is Director Partnerships Te Tari Pūreke, appointed to the role in October 2021.

Prior to taking up the role, Mike was the Officer in Charge of Arms Safety and Control group from May 2017 – October 2021.

Mike has extensive experience within Police, including senior leadership roles in project delivery for Frontline Safety, District Prevention Manager Southern District, Head of School Response - Royal New Zealand Police College, Area Prevention Manager Auckland City Area, and a variety of front line and support roles within different Police Districts and national service centres.

 

Mike McIlraith


Dr Angela Mansell

Dr Angela Mansell is Director of Business Services Te Tari Pūreke, appointed to the role in March 2023.

Directly prior to taking up the role, Angela was at WorkSafe, Aotearoa’s primary work health and safety regulator, with responsibility for leading a systems approach and building partnerships across industries, businesses and government to deliver improved health and safety performance across the motu. Angela brings strategy, policy and regulatory expertise, with a focus on using systems thinking to lift the performance, influence and sustainability of the public service. She is passionate about building partnerships, where everyone plays their part, to deliver improved outcomes for those living in Aotearoa. Angela has published in the field of organisational development and occupational well-being and is focused on ensuring that equity, diversity and inclusion remain high on the agenda.

 

Dr Angela Mansell


Phil Hanlon

Phil Hanlon is Director Change Te Tari Pūreke, appointed to the role in September 2021. 

Prior to this, Phil was Director Transformation and Change for NZ Police since 2019.

Phil has an extensive background in delivering transformational change programmes over the past 15 years within organisations that have included NZ Post, Internal Affairs and Massey University. Prior to this, Phil held a number of positions leading programme office functions in the banking and insurance sectors.

 

Phil Hanlon


Te ao Māori approach

We are grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and te ao Māori to support better outcomes for Māori and all communities.

Manaakitanga

Manaakitanga will underpin our way of working. We will protect people from harm and our approach will be based on mutual respect and caring for people.

Whakapono

As a regulator, we will act with consistency in our commitment to others. We will operate as an organisation that can be trusted.

Whanaungatanga

We will develop good working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders across the firearms regulatory system. Whanaungatanga is essential for effective regulation.


How we got our name

Our English name – Firearms Safety Authority – reflects the core purpose of the Arms Act, which is to:

  • promote the safer possession and use of firearms, and
  • control the possession and use of firearms.

Our te reo Māori name – Te Tari Pūreke – reflects our practical purpose and function, to protect firearms users and all communities. It was gifted to New Zealand Police by Waikato-Tainui as we were being established.

The gifting was coordinated by a member of the Commissioner’s Māori Focus Forum and representative for the King’s office, Rahui Papa.

Pūreke is a traditional raincape made from harakeke (flax leaves). Unlike the possible more well-known cloaks like korowai, which is ornate and made of feathers, pūreke were more functional and a form of protection against the rain and elements.

Tari is an office or department.

is a weapon and is common for firearms.

Reke is the butt of a weapon but can also mean inquiry or investigation.

Te Tari Pūreke is an office of enquiries into firearms.

Te Tari Pūreke exists to support, shelter and protect our communities from unsafe use and possession of firearms so we can be the safest in the world.

Our system

New Zealand's firearms regulatory system is safeguarded by the Commissioner of Police. The arms regulatory environment is complex, sitting between the criminal environment and long-term legislative interventions.

Te Tari Pūreke has a leadership role ensuring the system operates in a coordinated and efficient manner. We ensure rules and regulations are fit for purpose and implemented in a way that enables people to use legitimate firearms safely.

We take a system-wide view to be most effective, and our interventions and priorities must align with those of the system.

We’re responsible for monitoring, reviewing and reporting on existing regulatory systems as well as supporting changes to those systems, ensuring good regulatory practice. Our role as an effective regulator is dependent on an integrated regulatory system, built with high trust and sustainable relationships across communities and regulated parties. Our relationships with our advisory forums provide connection with communities across the country.

We’re committed to purposefully engaging with iwi and Māori organisations about how any changes we make may impact Māori communities.

We’re working directly with key government agencies and NGOs to ensure the system is fit for purpose and to identify opportunities to improve the regulatory framework and settings. We constantly ask if the regulatory settings are right and work with others to enable us to respond to future changes in the firearms system, to keep all our communities safe while enabling the safe use and control of firearms for sport, business, recreation and food gathering.

FSA-Regulator-2022
FSA Regulator 2022

Our approach

Te Tari Pūreke has a whole-of-system approach which:

  • recognises the requirement for a long-term view of regulations
  • takes a proactive stance in addressing the challenges and opportunities
  • works collaboratively with key stakeholders within and around the system
  • develops and monitors the system.

Our approach is grounded in te ao Māori and underpinned by good regulatory practice. To maintain the trust and confidence, we invest in keeping people and our communities safe through appropriate interventions that manage risk while enabling the safe use of firearms.

We enable and promote safety and compliance in all activities related to firearms. And our decisions and actions for delivering today and shaping our future are intelligence led.

We are committed to excellent service.

Our stakeholders and stakeholders have high expectations of us. We engage, educate, encourage and enforce when necessary.

Moving to a risk-based approach

Te Tari Pūreke is strengthening the firearms licencing process by introducing a Targeted Renewal Approach, which uses data and insight from within the firearms system to focus licencing effort at the greatest risks.

The Targeted Renewal Approach is a triage model that enables us to put the greatest effort against the biggest risks when considering firearms licence renewal applications from existing licence holders.

We will be using our information and intelligence systems to support this intelligence-led triaging of licence applications. We will then target resources in the renewal process proportionate to the identified risk profile.

This was a Recommendation of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch masjidain. This is about having a smarter system.

We will be identifying and prioritising high complexity licence renewal applications and better matching resources to process an application to the identified risk level.

One of the second order effects of the Targeted Renewal Approach will be an improved throughput of applications overall. So, Te Tari Pūreke will be improving our ability to meet the increasing application demand, whilst still meeting our safety, trust and confidence objectives.

The Targeted Renewal Approach brings New Zealand more into alignment with how firearms licence renewal applications are done in countries we often compare ourselves, like Australia and Canada.

Last updated
9 November 2023

 

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