Standard Firearms Safety Course, Community Firearms Safety Course, Schools Based Firearms Safety Course and Whakatūpato are Te Tari Pūreke and community-based safety training courses designed to provide support and knowledge for firearms safety.

Standard Firearms Safety Course

The course is delivered by firearms safety specialists at venues across the country.  

The course is free, but you must have paid for your firearms licence application.  

The course has 2 parts. 

1. Firearms theory test

  • Duration: 30 minutes
  • Language: English, Simplified Chinese, Te Reo Māori
  • Format: 30 multiple choice questions

    Support: You are welcome to bring a reader/writer or interpreter with you.

    This test confirms your understanding of the Firearms Safety Code, firearms safety practices and legislation requirements.

    You sit the theory test before doing the firearms practical training session.

    Everything you need to know to pass the firearms theory test is in the Firearms Safety Code.

    It's not difficult to pass the firearms theory test if you study the Firearms Safety Code thoroughly – do not just read it once.

    If you do not pass the firearms theory test on your first attempt, you will be given a second opportunity to sit the test after the practical session. If you do not pass the firearms theory test on your second attempt, we will let you know what will happen next.

2. Firearms practical training session

The firearms practical training session covers safe handling and use of firearms. 

You must demonstrate safe handling of a deactivated firearm during your practical training session in accordance with the Firearms Safety Code. If you act in an unsafe way, you'll be removed from the session and we will reconsider your status as a fit and proper person to hold a firearms licence.

Your firearms instructor will work with you during the course to help you with any firearms handling or safety concerns. 

During the session, you'll have an opportunity to practice the following:

- State and apply the 7 basic rules of firearms safety.
- Identify the main components of a firearm.
- Demonstrate safety precautions and states of readiness on various firearm types.
- Know how to safely cross a fence and how to safely use a transit case/bag to transport firearms.

Available safety courses

Safety courses are displayed up-to 10 weeks ahead: 

RegionCityDayDateTimeLocation
Southland  Invercargill  Wed10/06/20269:00AM-3:00PM  The Scottish Hall  
Nelson - Tasman Nelson  Thurs11/06/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Founders Heritage Park. Jaycee Room
Nelson - Tasman Nelson  Fri12/06/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Founders Heritage Park. Jaycee Room
Nelson - Tasman BlenheimWed17/06/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Renwick Sports & Events Centre
Taranaki  New Plymouth  Sat20/06/20269:00AM-3:00PM  North Taranaki Branch Deerstalkers  
Auckland (South)  Pukekohe  Sat4/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Salvation Army Pukekohe Corps
Manawatū-WhanganuiBunnythorpeSat4/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Bunnythorpe Community Centre  
Auckland (West)Auckland  Tues7/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Auckland Branch Deerstalkers  
Bay of Plenty  Whakatāne  Tues7/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  St John Whakatāne
Manawatū-WhanganuiFeilding  Tues7/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Colyton Hall Feilding  
Nelson - Tasman BlenheimWed8/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Renwick Sports & Events Centre
CanterburyChristchurch Wed8/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  North Canterbury Branch Deerstalkers
Auckland (South)  Drury Auckland  Thurs9/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Drury Rugby Club  
Wellington   Johnsonville  Thurs9/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Johnsonville Community Centre  
Wellington   Waikanae  Wed15/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Waikanae Community Hall  
Auckland (South)  Drury Auckland  Thurs16/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Drury Rugby Club  
Hawke’s Bay  NapierThurs16/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Hawke’s Bay Branch Fish & Game  
Wellington   MastertonThurs16/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Reap House (Rangitumau room)
Waikato  TūrangiThurs16/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Te Mataapuna
Nelson - Tasman Nelson  Thurs16/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Founders Heritage Park. Jaycee Room
CanterburyTimaru  Thurs16/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  South Canterbury Branch Deerstalkers  
Southland  Invercargill  Thurs16/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  The Scottish Hall  
AucklandWhangaparoaFri17/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Raroa Guide Hall
Waikato  TaupōFri17/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Taupo Event Centre Clubroom
Hawke’s Bay  NapierFri17/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Hawke’s Bay Branch Fish & Game  
Nelson - Tasman Nelson  Fri17/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Founders Heritage Park. Jaycee Room
CanterburyTimaru  Fri17/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  South Canterbury Branch Deerstalkers  
Southland  GoreFri17/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Gore RSA
Taranaki  New Plymouth  Fri17/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  North Taranaki Branch Deerstalkers  
Auckland (South)  Pukekohe  Sat18/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Salvation Army Pukekohe Corps
Taranaki  New Plymouth  Sat18/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  North Taranaki Branch Deerstalkers  
Auckland (South)  Pukekohe  Tues21/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Salvation Army Pukekohe Corps
Bay of Plenty  Rotorua  Tues21/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Rotorua Branch Deerstalkers  
Manawatū-WhanganuiBunnythorpeTues21/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Bunnythorpe Community Centre  
CanterburyChristchurch Tues21/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  North Canterbury Branch Deerstalkers
Waikato  Hamilton  Weds22/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Waikato Branch Deerstalkers  
Nelson - Tasman BlenheimWeds22/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Renwick Sports & Events Centre
CanterburyAshburtonWeds22/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  St John Ashburton  
Auckland (South)  Drury Auckland  Thurs23/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Drury Rugby Club  
Otago  Dunedin  Thurs23/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Edgar Centre
AucklandBrowns BayFri24/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Browns Bay Marine Centre
Waikato  Paeroa  Fri24/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Thames Valley Branch Deerstalkers
Bay of Plenty  Te PukeFri24/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Te Puke Baptist Church
Manawatū-WhanganuiFeilding  Fri24/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Colyton Hall Feilding  
Auckland (South)  Drury Auckland  Weds29/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Drury Rugby Club  
Bay of Plenty  Rotorua  Weds29/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Rotorua Branch Deerstalkers  
Manawatū-WhanganuiTaihape  Weds29/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Taihape REAP
CanterburyWigramWeds29/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Harvard Hall Lounge
Otago  ArrowtownWeds29/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Arrowtown Community Centre
Northland  Kaitaia  Thurs30/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Far North REAP Centre (Kauri Room)  
Waikato  Hamilton  Thurs30/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Waikato Branch Deerstalkers  
Manawatū-WhanganuiTaumarunuiThurs30/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Taumarunui Rugby & Sports Club
West Coast  Greymouth  Thurs30/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  St John Greymouth  
CanterburyChristchurch Thurs30/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  North Canterbury Branch Deerstalkers
Southland  Invercargill  Thurs30/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  The Scottish Hall  
Bay of Plenty  Whakatāne  Fri31/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  St John Whakatāne
West Coast  Greymouth  Fri31/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  St John Greymouth  
Southland  GoreFri31/07/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Gore RSA
AucklandBrowns BayWeds5/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Browns Bay Marine Centre
Bay of Plenty  Te PukeWeds5/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Te Puke Baptist Church
CanterburyWigramWeds5/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Harvard Hall Lounge
Otago  Dunedin  Weds5/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Edgar Centre
Auckland (South)  Drury Auckland  Thurs6/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Drury Rugby Club  
Waikato  Hamilton  Thurs6/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Waikato Branch Deerstalkers  
Manawatū-WhanganuiBunnythorpeThurs6/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Bunnythorpe Community Centre  
AucklandBrowns BayFri7/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Browns Bay Marine Centre
Waikato  Hamilton  Fri7/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Waikato Branch Deerstalkers  
Bay of Plenty  Rotorua  Fri7/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Rotorua Branch Deerstalkers  
Wellington   MastertonFri7/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Reap House (Rangitumau room)
Otago  Dunedin  Fri7/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Edgar Centre
Bay of Plenty  Whakatāne  Weds12/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  St John Whakatāne
CanterburyWigramWeds12/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Harvard Hall Lounge
Auckland (South)  Drury Auckland  Thurs13/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Drury Rugby Club  
Hawke’s Bay  NapierThurs13/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Hawke’s Bay Branch Fish & Game  
Wellington   Upper HuttThurs13/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Maidstone Sports Hub  
CanterburyChristchurch Thurs13/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  North Canterbury Branch Deerstalkers
Auckland (West)Auckland  Fri14/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Auckland Branch Deerstalkers  
Hawke’s Bay  NapierFri14/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Hawke’s Bay Branch Fish & Game  
Nelson - Tasman BlenheimFri14/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Renwick Sports & Events Centre
Otago  ArrowtownFri14/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Arrowtown Community Centre
Taranaki  New Plymouth  Fri14/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  North Taranaki Branch Deerstalkers  
Wellington   Johnsonville  Sat15/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Johnsonville Community Centre  
CanterburyChristchurch Sat15/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  North Canterbury Branch Deerstalkers
Otago  Dunedin  Sat15/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Edgar Centre
Taranaki  New Plymouth  Sat15/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  North Taranaki Branch Deerstalkers  
Gisborne  Gisborne  Mon17/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Lawson Field Theatre – Rose Room  
Auckland (South)  Pukekohe  Tues18/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Salvation Army Pukekohe Corps
Manawatū-WhanganuiBunnythorpeTues18/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Bunnythorpe Community Centre  
Waikato  Paeroa  Weds19/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Thames Valley Branch Deerstalkers
Bay of Plenty  Rotorua  Weds19/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Rotorua Branch Deerstalkers  
Nelson - Tasman Nelson  Weds19/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Founders Heritage Park. Granary Room
CanterburyChristchurch Weds19/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  North Canterbury Branch Deerstalkers
Otago  Alexandra  Weds19/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Alexandra District Club
Northland  WhangāreiThurs20/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Kaurihohore Public Hall  
Auckland (South)  Drury Auckland  Thurs20/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Drury Rugby Club  
Manawatū-WhanganuiBunnythorpeThurs20/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Bunnythorpe Community Centre  
Manawatū-WhanganuiWhanganuiThurs20/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Whanganui Function Centre
Nelson - Tasman Nelson  Thurs20/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Founders Heritage Park. Granary Room
CanterburyAshburtonThurs20/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  St John Ashburton  
Southland  GoreThurs20/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Gore RSA
Waikato  Hamilton  Fri21/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Waikato Branch Deerstalkers  
Bay of Plenty  Te PukeFri21/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Te Puke Baptist Church
CanterburyChristchurch Fri21/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  North Canterbury Branch Deerstalkers
Waikato  Paeroa  Weds26/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Thames Valley Branch Deerstalkers
CanterburyWigramWeds26/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Harvard Hall Lounge
Auckland (South)  Drury Auckland  Thurs27/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Drury Rugby Club  
CanterburyChristchurch Thurs27/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  North Canterbury Branch Deerstalkers
Southland  Invercargill  Thurs27/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  The Scottish Hall  
AucklandWhangaparoaFri28/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Raroa Guide Hall
Waikato  Hamilton  Fri28/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Waikato Branch Deerstalkers  
Bay of Plenty  Whakatāne  Fri28/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  St John Whakatāne
Manawatū-WhanganuiBunnythorpeFri28/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Bunnythorpe Community Centre  
Wellington   Waikanae  Fri28/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Waikanae Community Hall  
Nelson - Tasman BlenheimFri28/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Renwick Sports & Events Centre
Southland  Invercargill  Fri28/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  The Scottish Hall  
Otago  ArrowtownFri28/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Arrowtown Community Centre
Auckland (South)  Pukekohe  Sat29/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Salvation Army Pukekohe Corps
Wellington   Johnsonville  Sat29/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Johnsonville Community Centre  

Community Firearms Safety Course

Community Firearms Safety Courses are launching in 2027.

Trusted firearms leaders in the community are partnering with us to deliver our Firearms Safety Course.  

A community model will enable whānau, clubs, and local leaders to continue upholding firearms education within their own unique environments, while being supported by our training materials, equipment and rigorous quality assurance.  

How to become a Community Firearms Safety Trainer 

 

What is a Community Firearms Safety Course?

Community courses will offer more flexibility in terms of access and locations, but they are the same content delivered to the same standard. 

Attending and passing a community firearms safety training course will progress you through the firearms licence applications process in the same way as if you had attended one of the other course formats.

What makes it different from the Firearms Safety Course offered by Te Tari Pūreke?

There is no difference in how the Firearms Safety Course is recognised for licensing purposes.

Community courses will be delivered by approved firearms safety training volunteers around the country. Community firearms safety trainers will deliver the exact same course as our Firearms Safety Officers, using the same content and standards.

It is important to consider if your Community Firearms Safety Course is offering any other course elements. Community firearms safety trainers may offer survival skills, or hunting courses alongside the firearms safety course. Te Tari Pūreke-operated safety courses will only offer the Firearms Safety Course.

How much will a Community Firearms Safety Course cost? 

All firearms safety courses are free. 

Schools Based Firearms Safety Course

The Schools Based Firearms Safety Course benefits students, schools, and communities by fostering a culture of safety, respect, and accountability around firearms.

About the course

Our schools-based firearms safety course equips secondary students (16+) with the knowledge and skills to handle firearms safely and responsibly. Developed with schools and the wider firearms community, the program teaches practical safety practices while also ensuring compliance with legal requirements.

Firearms are part of life for many New Zealanders whether through farming, hunting, or sport. This course is not designed to introduce young people to firearms but is aimed at those who are already involved in their use and ensures a safe, structured environment, where we build confidence, reduce risk, and promote lifelong responsibility.

Bringing firearms safety training into schools encourages early learning in a setting where good habits can be formed. By teaching respect for firearms alongside clear safety principles, we can help reduce risks, prevent accidents, and ensure that the next generation of New Zealanders who go on to become firearms licence holders, grow up with the skills and understanding to be safe, responsible, and confident around firearms.

Whakatūpato

Whakatūpato is a community-based safety training course for people who live in isolated rural locations and may not be able to attend the standard Firearms Safety Course.

About the course

The Whakatūpato firearms course is designed to promote firearms safety and awareness in rural and isolated communities across New Zealand. Targeting areas where access to formal education and licensing opportunities can be limited, this course provides hands-on, culturally sensitive instruction on the responsible use, safe handling, and storage of firearms.

It empowers participants by fostering a deeper understanding of safety practices, while also ensuring compliance with legal requirements.

For rural communities, where firearms are often used as essential tools for hunting and farming, Whakatūpato offers a vital resource that not only enhances personal and community safety but also supports sustainable and responsible firearms use across generations.

Contact 

For more information about Whakatūpato, contact our Māori Partnerships Group on MPG@police.govt.nz 

Last updated
13 July 2026

 

Need help?
phone Phone 0800 844 431 (04 499 2870)
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