Firearms Registry requirements apply from 24 June 2023
Shooting ranges will need an individual firearms licence holder to register range firearms under their individual account in the Firearms Registry. This could be split between multiple people, but if one of these people resigns from the range, the arms items must be transferred to another member of the range with a firearms licence and any required endorsements.
Find out what the Firearms Registry means for you
Shooting ranges must be certified by Police before they operate. It’s an offence to operate a shooting range that is not certified.
Download the Shooting Range Manual
The manual sets out:
- who can make an application to certify a range
- responsibilities of the SRO (Shooting Range Operator)
- guidance to help you complete an application for shooting range certification.
About certification
Certification includes:
- an inspection of range structures (man-made and natural features)
- a review of the Range Standing Orders (RSOs).
Certificates are valid for 5 years from the date of issue.
What is a shooting range?
A shooting range is an area used mainly for shooting activities. It can be:
- an outdoor or indoor facility, or a designated area of land
- used by a shooting club or members of the public.
Shooting activities means using a firearm to shoot at targets that aren't living, whether those targets are fixed or moving. Paintball shooting and airsoft shooting are not included in shooting activities.
Any defence area that is used by a shooting club for shooting activities is also a shooting range that must be certified by Te Tari Pūreke.
Who must apply for certification?
Ranges that were operating at 24 June 2022 may continue to operate but must apply for certification before 24 June 2023. Once the application is made, the range can continue to operate until Police makes a decision on the application. If its application is declined it must immediately stop operating.
Ranges that were not operating at 24 June 2022 must not start operating until the range:
- applies for certification
- Police grant that certification and issue the range with a certificate.
Pistol ranges that were recognised by Police at 24 June 2022 may continue to operate and do not need to apply for certification.
The role of the Shooting Range Operator (SRO):
A Shooting Range Operator (SRO) is the person in whose name the application for certification is made.
They have legal responsibilities for the safe design, construction and operation of the range.
The SRO may be an individual person, a body corporate such as a company or incorporated society, or something else such as a trust or a shooting club that is not an incorporated society.
Guidance
Use the videos and other resources to help you prepare for certification.
Complete the application form
Save the forms to your computer before you start.
- Application for certification of a shooting range (FRM38MRC) (PDF, 228 KB)
- Generic Shooting Range Standing Orders Template (CR2) (DOCX, 99 KB)
Help with the template:
Guide - Shooting Range Standing Orders (CR2) (PDF, 1.82 MB) - example of a completed form
Do not remove any sections of the template. If it’s not relevant, write N/A.
Before you submit your application
Arrange an inspection:
You must contact an approved Shooting Range Inspector (SRI) from the list and arrange an inspection.
Shooting Range Inspector Contact List (PDF, 243 KB)
The SRI will review all your documentation and prepare an inspection report.
More about the SRIs role:
Information for Shooting Range Inspectors
Collect your supporting documents:
You will need:
- a copy of the Range Standing Orders – including Ammunition Danger Area information
- a copy of the inspection report prepared by the Shooting Range Inspector
- evidence that you are authorised to make the application if you are not the Shooting Range Operator, such as a letter or a copy of the minutes from the meeting that authorised you.
How to submit your application electronically
Upload your documents to the secure Police portal.
You’ll need to scan the form and have electronic copies of your supporting information to upload.
Documents must be JPG, JPEG, PNG or PDF file types and each file must not be more than 5 MB.
Shooting club and shooting range application – Police portal
How to submit your application by post
Send the completed application form and the supporting information to:
Clubs and Ranges Team
Te Tari Pūreke – Firearms Safety Authority
DX PX10012
Palmerston North.
Fees and invoicing
Application fees:
The fee depends on the type and number of ranges on the site.:
- Single shooting range on a site: $400
- Multiple shooting ranges on the same site operated by the same range operator: $400 plus $45 for each additional range up to 6 ranges ($625). No additional fee for more than 6 ranges.
- Clay target shooting range (skeet, trap, sporting): $400
- One-time-use range: $250
All fees include GST of 15%.
Renewal fees:
Range certification must be renewed every 5 years.
If there has been no significant change to design, construction or operation: $200.
If there has been a significant change, the renewal fee is the same as an application fee and will depend on the number of ranges on the site
All fees include GST of 15%.
Invoicing:
You will be invoiced when Te Tari Pūreke receives your application. Your certificate will not be issued until payment is made.
The invoice includes instructions on how and where to pay.
About the fees:
Fees help to pay for about half the cost of regulating clubs and ranges.
Contact
Contact the Clubs and Ranges team if you have any questions.
