Check you meet the requirements and have all the information you need.
Licensing demand has increased this year, and we are expecting this increase in licence renewals to continue until 2028. We appreciate your patience while we process your application.
If you have any questions, email MyFirearms.support@police.govt.nz, or give us a call. Phone 0800 844 431 between 8:30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
We recommend you allow 4 to 5 months for your firearms licence application to be processed, as it takes time to arrange and carry out the required interviews and inspections.
Your firearms licence will be valid for 5 years.
We recommend you submit your application for a new firearms licence 4 months before the expiry date on your current licence.
If you choose to apply earlier, we may ask you to resupply some details before we issue your licence. This is to make sure we have the most recent information to consider when deciding on the outcome of your application.
Note: Reapplying for a firearms licence is often referred to as a 'renewal', but you are not actually renewing your old licence. Each time you apply for a firearms licence, your application is considered in full against the requirements of the Arms Act 1983.
If we receive your application before your current licence expires, you can continue to possess and use firearms and ammunition until you get a decision about your new application under section 25A of the Arms Act 1983. This means you can still undertake your usual activities as a firearms licence holder while you wait for your new licence card to come in the mail.
Keep hold of your old licence card while you wait for your new one to come in the mail. A seller can use the firearms licence checker tool to validate the current status of your firearms licence while you await your new licence card.
If your current status cannot be validated in the Firearms Licence Checker tool please contact us. Email MyFirearms.support@police.govt.nz, or call 0800 844 431 from 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Your new firearms licence will be valid for 10 years.
This does not apply if your old licence is revoked or surrendered during this time.
If we receive your application after the expiry date on your current licence, it will expire.
This means that, until your new firearms licence is issued:
Your new firearms licence will be valid for 5 years.
If your licence has been revoked, you must wait 5 years before you can apply again under Section 23 of the Arms Act 1983.
Arms Act 1983, section 23 – Application for firearms licence | New Zealand Legislation
Your new firearms licence will be valid for 5 years.
To possess and use some classes of arms items, you must also have an endorsement on your firearms licence. You can submit your endorsement application at the same time as your firearms licence application.
Firearms licence application fees:
These fees include GST and are not refundable. If you apply through MyFirearms you can pay using a credit or debit card (Visa or Mastercard). You will be charged a card surcharge of 1.9%.
To use MyFirearms, you must have a mobile phone and a RealMe login.
MyFirearms is our online portal that lets you provide information for the Firearms Registry and apply for and manage your firearms licensing.
RealMe login is a service from the New Zealand government that lets you use one username and password to access a wide range of services online.
If you do not have a RealMe login already, you’ll be prompted to create one before you start. You do not need a RealMe verified identity.
Visit MyFirearms and log in with RealMe. You’ll need your mobile phone to carry out the security check.
To use MyFirearms, you must first create a MyFirearms profile. Select 'Complete Your Profile' and complete the form.
You need to provide your name, date of birth and the details of your New Zealand firearms licence. If you do not have a firearms licence yet, enter your name as it appears on your driver 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.
To apply or reapply for a firearms licence, select 'New Zealand Firearms Licence' and complete the form.
You can pay online with Visa or Mastercard. You will be charged a card surcharge of 1.9%.
Note: When you apply online, you must pay the application fee in MyFirearms. Do not pay the application fee at an NZ Post Shop.
Review the summary, then submit the form. You’ll receive an email to confirm we’ve received your application.
You need to complete the endorsement application form and pay the fee.
Applications submitted by email or post may take longer to process. Also, if you apply by email or post, your application fee must be paid at an NZ Post Shop.
Firearms licence application form
Your application fee must be paid at an NZ Post Shop. If you're overseas, ask a trusted person to pay the fee on your behalf.
There are separate fees for a firearms licence application and endorsement application.
You can submit your form with your supporting documents by:
For help, call us on 0800 844 431 or on +64 4 499 2870 (if overseas) between 8.30am and 5pm (NZST), Monday to Friday.
Note: To apply for a New Zealand firearms licence you must be registered with a New Zealand health practitioner.
Once we’ve received your application, Police will carry out further checks to assess if you are fit and proper to possess firearms or airguns.
This includes:
You must attend and pass a firearms safety course before you are interviewed if:
You'll be tested on your knowledge of current firearms safety requirements during your interview if:
Your obligations as a licence holder may have changed since you last applied, so you should familiarise yourself with any new requirements. You can do this by reading the Firearms Safety Code.
If you held a firearms licence at 24 June 2023, you're required to provide information for the Registry the first time an activating circumstance happens. Activating circumstances include applying for a firearms licence.
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Phone 0800 844 431 (04 499 2870) 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday |