You can record your arms items and update your licence holder details in the Firearms Registry online or over the phone. You will not be charged a fee.

Information to provide when registering

It will take less time to register if you find this information before you start.

Firearms

You must register the following:

  • non-prohibited firearms, including specially dangerous airguns
  • prohibited firearms
  • pistols
  • restricted weapons.

To register online, you must find a match in our list of common firearms. To do this, you’ll provide some or all of the following details, then select your item from a list of suggestions:

  • type (for example rifle, shotgun etc)
  • make
  • model
  • action
  • calibre/gauge
  • if it has a non-detachable magazine and, if so, its capacity.

If you cannot find a match when registering online, you must register your firearm over the phone instead.

You’ll also need to provide:

  • the identification marking (serial number) 
  • a photograph of the firearm, if requested.

Get help registering a firearm

Major firearm parts

You must register the following parts if they are not integrated into a firearm:

  • the action (frame, receiver, or upper receiver and lower receiver) of a firearm
  • the frame of a pistol
  • a calibre conversion component or kit of a pistol.

You must provide the following details:

  • type (for example receiver, action etc)
  • make
  • model
  • identification marking (serial number).

You may also need to provide a photograph of the part, if requested.

Prohibited magazines

You must provide the following details:

  • type
  • make
  • model
  • calibre/gauge
  • capacity
  • identification marking (serial number).

You may also need to provide a photograph of the magazine, if requested.

Pistol carbine conversion kits (PCCKs)

You must provide the following details:

  • make
  • model
  • identification marking (serial number).

You may also need to provide a photograph of the PCCK, if requested.

Your licence holder details

The Registry will also hold information about you as a licence holder. You must make sure these details are complete and up to date.

Your licence holder details in the Registry

If your arms item is custom-made

Custom-made firearms

Custom-made firearms can only be registered over the phone. You’ll be asked to provide a description of the firearm.

Other custom-made arms items

Other custom-made arms items can be registered online or over the phone.

Identification markings (serial numbers)

Most firearms and major firearms parts in New Zealand already have a factory manufacturer’s identification marking, such as a serial number. A small number of firearms and parts will have no marking or have one that is in a foreign language.

You cannot register an arms item online if it:

  • has no identification marking, such as a serial number, or
  • has one that uses characters other than A-Z, 0-9, slashes and dashes.

You must register it over the phone instead.

How to select and apply an identification marking

Read our guide to selecting and applying a marking where one does not already exist or is in a foreign language and needs to be replaced:

Markings (serial numbers) on firearms, arms items and parts
 (pdf 6.12 MB)
(pdf 6.12 MB)

If you have an arms item but do not have a firearms licence

You cannot register an arms item without a firearms licence.

If you have a firearm, other arms item or ammunition you cannot legally possess or do not wish to possess, you can surrender the item to: 

  • a current New Zealand firearms licence holder
  • a licensed firearms dealer, or
  • New Zealand Police. 

Disposal of illegally held or unwanted firearms

Register online through MyFirearms

The fastest way to register is through our website using MyFirearms

To use MyFirearms, you must have a mobile phone and a RealMe login. If you do not have a RealMe login already, you’ll be prompted to create one before you start your application.

What is RealMe?

RealMe is a New Zealand government service for proving your identity online.

  • You only need a RealMe login to use MyFirearms.
  • You do not need a RealMe verified identity.

Get help with RealMe

How to register an arms item

Step 1: Log in

Visit MyFirearms and log in with your RealMe account. You’ll need your mobile phone to carry out the security check.

Visit MyFirearms

Step 2: Create your MyFirearms profile

The first time you log in to MyFirearms after 24 June, you must fill in the Complete Your Profile form.

You need to provide your name, date of birth and the details of your New Zealand firearms licence.

A MyFirearms profile is unique to each person. It will be linked to your firearms licence, so you do not need to provide these details again when using MyFirearms.

Step 3: Complete the Register Arms Item form

Select the ‘New Submission’ button, then choose Register Arms Items. Once you have agreed to the privacy statement and terms of use, you can enter your arms item details in the following categories:

  • Firearms
  • Major firearm parts
  • Prohibited magazines
  • Pistol carbine conversion kits (PCCKs)

Note: Your session will end if you’ve been logged in to MyFirearms for more than 2 hours, and you’ll need to log in again. Save as you go to make sure you do not lose the information you have entered. To protect your data, you’ll be logged out automatically if there has been no activity for 15 minutes. You must submit the form within 30 days or it may be removed from your account.

Step 4: Complete the declaration

Before you can submit the form, you must confirm that the information you have provided is true and correct, and that you understand your obligations under the Arms Act 1983.

Step 5: Check all your information is correct

Review the summary, which shows all the information you have entered. To make changes, use the ‘Back’ button or select the heading for each section at the top of the form.

Step 6: Submit the form

Once you’re satisfied that the information you’ve provided is correct, submit the form. You’ll receive an email to confirm we’ve received your application.

Watch our video for step-by-step instructions.

How to update your licence holder details

Choose and complete the ‘Change of address or contact details’ form to update your firearms licence holder information.

How to access details of your registered arms items

For security reasons, you can only access a list of all your registered arms items through a validated MyFirearms account.

How to validate your MyFirearms account

Register over the phone

Our New Zealand-based team can you help you register an arms item and update your licence holder details. They are available from 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Make sure you have all the information you need before you call.

If the information you have provided is incorrect

If you make a mistake when providing information for the Firearms Registry, you can fix it by calling us on 0800 844 431 between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

You may need to provide evidence, such as photographs, depending on the details you are changing.

It is an offence under the Arms Act 1983 to provide information to the Police for inclusion in the Registry knowing the information to be false or misleading in a material respect.

Arms Act 1983, section 58A – Offences relating to registry | New Zealand Legislation website

Last updated
24 November 2023

 

Need help?
phone Phone 0800 844 431 (04 499 2870)
8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday