If you’re a firearms licence holder, you can provide information for the Firearms Registry from 24 June 2023. In some circumstances, you must provide information within a specific time frame.
Firearms licence holders can register their arms items from 24 June 2023
If you’re a firearms licence holder, you can register arms items in your possession from 24 June 2023.
Firearms dealers will be required to register their arms items by 24 June 2025
If you’re a dealer, you can expect Te Tari Pūreke to contact you with more information about what you need to do. The requirement for dealers to register their stock holdings will be phased in on a case-by-case basis over the next 2 years. We’ll work with you to register your stock of arms before 24 June 2025.
What the Firearms Registry means for dealers
When you must provide information for the Registry
You must provide information for the Registry the first time and only time any of the following situations apply. These are referred to in the Arms Amendment Regulations as ‘activating circumstances’.
If none apply to you before 24 June 2028, you must provide the information by 31 August 2028.
When you apply for a licence or endorsement
The first time you apply for a licence or endorsement , you must register all items in your possession within 30 days.
If you notify us of a change in your licence holder information
The first time you notify us of a change in your licence holder information (such as personal, business, contact or licence details) you must register all items in your possession within 30 days.
When you buy or receive an arms item
The first time you purchase or receive an arms item (from a dealer or individual firearms licence holder), you must register that item as soon as is practicable, but within 30 days.
You must register all remaining arms items in your possession within 30 days of this activating circumstance.
When you sell or supply an arms item
The first time you sell or supply an arms item you must register that item at the time of the sale or supply, or immediately after.
You must register all remaining arms items in your possession within 30 days of this activating circumstance.
When you import an arms item
The first time you import an arms item you must register that item within 30 days of the item being released by New Zealand Customs.
You must register all remaining arms items in your possession within 30 days of this activating circumstance.
When you export an arms item
The first time you export an arms item you must register that item within 5 days of the date of exportation.
You must register all remaining arms items in your possession within 30 days of this activating circumstance.
When you manufacture an arms item
The first time you manufacture an arms item you must register that item within 5 days of manufacture.
You must register all remaining arms items in your possession within 30 days of this activating circumstance.
If you modify a prohibited firearm to a non-prohibited firearm
The first time you modify a prohibited firearm to a non-prohibited firearm you must register that item within 5 days of its modification.
You must register all remaining arms items in your possession within 30 days of this activating circumstance.
If you notify Police of a loss or theft of an arms item
The first time that you notify Police of the loss or theft of an arms item, you must register that arms item immediately after the loss or theft is known to have happened.
You must register all remaining arms items in your possession within 30 days of this activating circumstance.
If you destroy an arms item
The first time that you notify Police of the destruction of an arms item, you must register that arms item within 5 days of its destruction.
You must register all remaining arms items in your possession within 30 days of this activating circumstance.
If you’re subject to any compliance or enforcement action under the Arms Act
If you are subject to any arms-related compliance or enforcement action by Police you must register all arms items in your possession within 30 days.
When you purchase ammunition – from 24 June 2025
The first time you purchase ammunition from 24 June 2025, you must register all arms items in your possession within 30 days of this activating circumstance.
You do not need to register the ammunition itself.
If you do not have any arms items in your possession
If you do not have any arms items in your possession, you can make a No Arms Items Declaration. You'll be able to do this through our website using MyFirearms or over the phone.
If you share a firearm with other people
Arms items must be registered only once, by a single licence holder.
If you are responsible for an arms item on behalf of a shooting club or shooting range, you are also responsible for registering that item against your firearms licence number.
If you have temporarily loaned or stored your arms item with someone else
If, when you go to register all of your arms items, you have temporarily loaned an arms item to another licence holder or are storing it with them for less than 30 days, then you should still register this arms item as if you had it in your possession.
If someone has loaned an arms item to you or you're storing it for them for less than 30 days, it's their responsibility to register it.
Your ongoing responsibilities as a licence holder
Once you have registered your arms items, you must update your information in the Registry every time one of these events happen.
Selling or supplying an arms item
Once you have sold or supplied an item, you must immediately record that it has been transferred into another licence holder's possession.
If you temporarily supply (for example, loan) an arms item to another licence holder for less than 30 days, you do not need to record that it has been transferred into their possession.
Buying or receiving an arms item
Once you have bought or received an item, you must as soon as is practicable, but within 30 days, record that it has been transferred into your possession.
If you temporarily receive (for example, loan) an arms item from another licence holder for less than 30 days, you do not need to record that it has been transferred into your possession.
Manufacturing, modifying or destroying an arms item
If you manufacture, modify or destroy an arms item, you must record this within 5 days.
Importing arms items or ammunition
If you import an arms item or ammunition, you must record this within 30 days of New Zealand Customs releasing it.
Exporting an arms item
If you export an arms item, you must record this within 5 days of the date of exportation.
When an arms item is lost or stolen
If you report the loss or theft of an arms item, you must record this immediately after the loss or theft is known to have happened.
You can register online or over the phone
From 24 June 2023, there will be two ways to register your arms items.
- Online: The fastest and easiest way is through our website using the online forms portal MyFirearms.
- Over the phone: You’ll also be able to provide information by calling our Registry and Services team. They will be available 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Related links
What you must record in the Firearms Registry
2023 firearm law changes
What the Firearms Registry means for dealers
Arms Amendment Regulations 2023 – New Zealand Legislation
