What are my obligations as a health practitioner?
Read the Information Sheet for Health Practitioners (PDF 1.5MB) to learn about your obligations in regard to firearms and safety.
The Information Sheet was developed in consultation with key stakeholders and agencies within the health sector, and is currently under review. If you have any queries in relation to the above, contact FirearmsCompliance@police.govt.nz
New obligation for health practitioners
Health practitioners are now required to consider notifying Police if they have reason to believe their patient is a firearms licence holder and their health condition will impact on the safety of the patient or the public, if they have access to, or use of, firearms (section 92).
As a health practitioner notifying Police, you must provide:
- your opinion that in the interests of individual or public safety the person should not be permitted to use or possess firearms (or only if subject to certain conditions)
- the grounds on which the opinion is based
- whether you believe the licence holder poses an immediate or imminent danger of self-harm or harm to others.
This obligation was introduced in the amendments to the Arms Act 1983 which came into effect on 24 December 2020. These new requirements and obligations are centred around safety - of the firearms licence holder and those around them.
The changes also require Police to notify the health practitioner when a licence has been issued or when a licence holder changes their health practitioner.
See the following resources for more information about your obligations and rights as a health practitioner:
Health practitioner requirements
Information Sheet for Health Practitioners(PDF 1.6MB).
Notify Police
If you have concerns about a patient’s access to firearms, or you have received a notification from Police regarding a person who is not your patient, you can notify Police online:
Health Practitioner Reporting form
Alternatively, you can phone the non-emergency Police number 105. If you think the licence holder poses an immediate or imminent danger of self-harm or harm to others, please call 111 and ask for Police.
For further guidance, see the
Information Sheet for Health Practitioners (PDF 1.6MB).
