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: 

Manawatū-WhanganuiBunnythorpeTues18/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Bunnythorpe Community Centre  
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
Manawatū-WhanganuiBunnythorpeThurs20/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Bunnythorpe Community Centre  
Nelson - Tasman Nelson  Thurs20/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Founders Heritage Park. Granary Room
Waikato  Paeroa  Weds26/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Thames Valley Branch Deerstalkers
Bay of Plenty  Whakatāne  Fri28/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  St John Whakatāne
Wellington   Waikanae  Fri28/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Waikanae Community Centre
Nelson - Tasman BlenheimFri28/08/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Renwick Sports & Events Centre
Waikato  Hamilton  Tues1/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Waikato Branch Deerstalkers  
Manawatū-WhanganuiBunnythorpeTues1/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Bunnythorpe Community Centre  
Bay of Plenty  ŌmokoroaWed2/09/20268:00AM-2:00PM  Ōmokoroa Settlers Hall  
Otago  Dunedin  Wed2/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Edgar Centre
Auckland (South)  Drury Auckland  Thurs3/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Drury Rugby Club  
Waikato  Paeroa  Thurs3/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Thames Valley Branch Deerstalkers
Wellington   Upper HuttThurs3/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Maidstone Sports Hub  
West Coast  Greymouth  Thurs3/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  St John Greymouth  
Manawatū-WhanganuiFeilding  Fri4/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Colyton Hall Feilding  
CanterburyChristchurch Fri4/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  North Canterbury Branch Deerstalkers
Otago  Alexandra  Tues8/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Alexandra District Club
AucklandBrowns BayWed9/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Browns Bay Marine Centre
Waikato  TaupōWed9/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Taupo Event Centre Clubroom
Nelson - Tasman BlenheimWed9/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Renwick Sports & Events Centre
CanterburyWigramWed9/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Harvard Hall Lounge
Auckland (South)  Drury Auckland  Thurs10/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Drury Rugby Club  
Waikato  TūrangiThurs10/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Te Mataapuna
Hawke’s Bay  NapierThurs10/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Hawke’s Bay Branch Fish & Game  
Wellington   Johnsonville  Thurs10/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Johnsonville Community Hall
Southland  Invercargill  Thurs10/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  The Scottish Hall  
Waikato  Paeroa  Fri11/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Thames Valley Branch Deerstalkers
Hawke’s Bay  NapierFri11/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Hawke’s Bay Branch Fish & Game  
Wellington   Waikanae  Fri11/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Waikanae Community Hall  
CanterburyAshburtonFri11/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  St John Ashburton  
Southland  Invercargill  Fri11/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  The Scottish Hall  
AucklandWhangaparoaTues15/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Raroa Guide Hall
Auckland (South)  Pukekohe  Tues15/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Salvation Army Pukekohe Corps
Nelson - Tasman Nelson  Tues15/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Founders Heritage Park. Jaycee Room
Nelson - Tasman Nelson  Wed16/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Founders Heritage Park. Jaycee Room
CanterburyTimaru  Wed16/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  South Canterbury Branch Deerstalkers  
Otago  Dunedin  Wed16/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Edgar Centre
Auckland (South)  Drury Auckland  Thurs17/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Drury Rugby Club  
Wellington   MastertonThurs17/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Reap House (Rangitumau room)
AucklandWhangaparoaFri18/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Raroa Guide Hall
Waikato  Hamilton  Fri18/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Waikato Branch Deerstalkers  
Manawatū-WhanganuiBunnythorpeFri18/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Bunnythorpe Community Centre  
CanterburyChristchurch Fri18/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  North Canterbury Branch Deerstalkers
CanterburyWigramWed23/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Harvard Hall Lounge
Auckland (South)  Drury Auckland  Thurs24/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Drury Rugby Club  
Manawatū-WhanganuiBunnythorpeThurs24/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Bunnythorpe Community Centre  
Southland  GoreThurs24/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Gore RSA
Northland  Kaitaia  Fri25/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Far North REAP Centre (Kauri Room)  
Taranaki  New Plymouth  Fri25/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  North Taranaki Branch Deerstalkers  
Manawatū-WhanganuiPalmerston North  Fri25/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Manawatu Branch Deerstalkers
Nelson - Tasman BlenheimFri25/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Renwick Sports & Events Centre
CanterburyAshburtonFri25/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  St John Ashburton  
Otago  ArrowtownFri25/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Arrowtown Community Centre
Bay of Plenty  Whakatāne  Tues29/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  St John Whakatāne
CanterburyChristchurch Tues29/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  North Canterbury Branch Deerstalkers
AucklandWhangaparoaWed30/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Raroa Guide Hall
Waikato  Hamilton  Wed30/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Waikato Branch Deerstalkers  
Otago  Dunedin  Wed30/09/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Edgar Centre
Auckland (South)  Drury Auckland  Thurs1/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Drury Rugby Club  
Waikato  Hamilton  Thurs1/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Waikato Branch Deerstalkers  
Bay of Plenty  Te PukeThurs1/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Te Puke Baptist Church
Manawatū-WhanganuiBunnythorpeThurs1/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Bunnythorpe Community Centre  
Wellington   Johnsonville  Thurs1/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Johnsonville Community Centre  
WellingtonJohnsonvilleThurs1/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Johnsonville Community Centre  
AucklandWhangaparoaFri2/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Raroa Guide Hall
Otago  Dunedin  Fri2/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Edgar Centre
Southland  Te AnauSat3/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Marakura Yacht Club
Bay of Plenty  Te PukeThurs8/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Te Puke Baptist Church
AucklandWhangaparoaThurs8/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Raroa Guide Hall
Hawke’s Bay  NapierThurs8/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Hawke’s Bay Branch Fish & Game  
Wellington   Upper HuttThurs8/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Maidstone Sports Hub  
Nelson - Tasman Nelson  Thurs8/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Founders Heritage Park. Granary Room
Southland  Invercargill  Thurs8/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  The Scottish Hall  
Auckland (West)Auckland  Fri9/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Auckland Branch Deerstalkers  
Hawke’s Bay  NapierFri9/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Hawke’s Bay Branch Fish & Game  
Nelson - Tasman Nelson  Fri9/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Founders Heritage Park. Granary Room
CanterburyChristchurch Fri9/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  North Canterbury Branch Deerstalkers
CanterburyAshburtonFri9/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  St John Ashburton  
Southland  GoreFri9/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Gore RSA
Otago  ArrowtownFri9/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Arrowtown Community Centre
Auckland (South)  Pukekohe  Sat10/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Salvation Army Pukekohe Corps
CanterburyChristchurch Wed14/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  North Canterbury Branch Deerstalkers
Manawatū-WhanganuiBunnythorpeThurs15/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Bunnythorpe Community Centre  
Wellington   MastertonThurs15/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Reap House (Rangitumau room)
CanterburyTimaru  Wed28/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  South Canterbury Branch Deerstalkers  
Gisborne  Gisborne  Wed21/10/20268:00AM-2:00PM  Lawson Field Theatre – Rose Room  
CanterburyChristchurch Wed21/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  North Canterbury Branch Deerstalkers
Otago  Alexandra  Wed21/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Alexandra District Club
Northland  WhangāreiThurs22/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Kaurihohore Public Hall  
Southland  GoreThurs22/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Gore RSA
Northland  Pakaraka  Fri23/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Pakaraka Hall  
Auckland (South)  Drury Auckland  Fri23/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Drury Rugby Club  
Waikato  Hamilton  Fri23/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Waikato Branch Deerstalkers  
West Coast  Greymouth  Fri23/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  St John Greymouth  
Taranaki  New Plymouth  Fri23/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  North Taranaki Branch Deerstalkers  
Auckland (South)  Pukekohe  Sat24/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Salvation Army Pukekohe Corps
Waikato  Paeroa  Sat24/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Thames Valley Branch Deerstalkers
Auckland (South)  Pukekohe  Tues27/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Salvation Army Pukekohe Corps
Bay of Plenty  Whakatāne  Tues27/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  St John Whakatāne
Wellington   Waikanae  Tues27/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Waikanae Community Hall  
CanterburyChristchurch Tues27/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  North Canterbury Branch Deerstalkers
Otago  Dunedin  Tues27/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Edgar Centre
Auckland (South)  Drury Auckland  Wed28/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Drury Rugby Club  
Waikato  Hamilton  Wed28/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Waikato Branch Deerstalkers  
Manawatū-WhanganuiTaihape  Wed28/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Ruapehu REAP
Nelson - Tasman BlenheimWed28/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Renwick Sports & Events Centre
CanterburyTimaru  Wed28/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  South Canterbury Branch Deerstalkers  
Auckland (South)  Drury Auckland  Thurs29/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Drury Rugby Club  
Bay of Plenty  Rotorua  Thurs29/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Rotorua Branch Deerstalkers  
Manawatū-WhanganuiTaumarunuiThurs29/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Taumarunui Rugby & Sports Club
Manawatū-WhanganuiPalmerston North  Thurs29/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Manawatu Branch Deerstalkers
CanterburyChristchurch Thurs29/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  North Canterbury Branch Deerstalkers
AucklandBrowns BayFri30/10/20269:00AM-3:00PM  Browns Bay Marine 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

 

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