What a pistol target shooting endorsement allows:

Once you have a pistol target shooting endorsement you can apply for the endorsed arms item using the necessary permit to import or permit to possess.

If you get this endorsement, you can use the endorsed pistols only for pistol target shooting.

You can use the endorsed pistols only in your role as a member of a pistol target shooting club.

You can apply for a pistol target shooting endorsement at the same time you apply for your firearms licence.

When you get a pistol target shooting endorsement, you can apply for the endorsed arms item for the necessary permit to possess or to import.

Endorsement lifespan:

A pistol target shooting endorsement to your firearms licence lasts until your licence ends or is surrendered or revoked.

Conditions:

You can use an endorsed pistol only for target shooting on a pistol range approved by the Commissioner of Police.

You must participate in the affairs of a pistol club by taking part in scheduled shooting activities on the pistol ranges used by that club on 12 days or more each year.

See the Arms Regulations 1992, clause 22, Conditions of endorsements in respect of pistols and restricted weapons

Te Tari Pūreke can prescribe other conditions:

• Arms Regulations 1992, clause 28D, Commissioner may prescribe conditions on licences, etc 
• Arms Act 1983, section 32, Further conditions of endorsements in respect of pistols and restricted weapons

Te Tari Pūreke can add conditions to your endorsement that allow you to carry the endorsed pistols from your home address to a:

• police station
• licensed dealer or gunsmith for repair, maintenance, or sale
• pistol club range

If you want to carry the endorsed pistols to another location, you can apply to Te Tari Pūreke for a condition endorsed on your firearms licence.

Endorsements and conditions meet the requirements of the Arms Act 1983, section 36, Offence to carry pistol, prohibited firearm, prohibited magazine, or restricted weapon without authority

Endorsements are subject to the Arms Act 1983, section 31A, Conditions of endorsements

When you have an endorsement, you must produce on demand the endorsed arms item to a member of New Zealand Police.

You must allow a member of New Zealand Police to:

• inspect the arms item and where it is kept on the dealer premises
• enter the dealer premises to do this inspection at a reasonable time

The member of New Zealand Police making this inspection must identify themselves and say they are making the inspection under the Arms Act.

They must show identification that confirms they are a member of New Zealand Police.

Who can apply for a pistol target shooting endorsement:

To apply for a pistol target shooting endorsement to your firearms licence, you must: 

• be 16 years or older 
• be a member of an incorporated pistol club recognised by the Commissioner of Police 
• have a New Zealand firearms licence, or be applying for one 

In your pistol target shooting endorsement application, Te Tari Pūreke asks questions about your knowledge and experience of pistols, and your reasons for wanting to have and use them. 

We ask about: 

• your personal attributes 
• your obligations as a pistol target shooter under the Arms Act and Arms Regulations 
• how you will meet these obligations 

What you must tell us when you apply for a pistol target shooting endorsement:

In your endorsement application, Te Tari Pūreke asks questions you may have answered in previous licence or endorsement applications. 

We ask these questions again to make sure we have the latest information when we review your application. 

Endorsement referee:

In your application for a pistol target shooting endorsement, you must give the name and contact details of an endorsement referee. 

Your endorsement referee must: 

• be 20 years or older 
• know a lot about pistol target shooting 
• know and understand your activities, interest, and experience in pistol target shooting 

They should have a senior role in your pistol club and have seen you shoot a pistol at least four times. 

Secure storage and locations:

In your application for a pistol target shooting endorsement, you must give details of your: 

• address where you store pistols 
• secure storage for firearms and ammunition 

Te Tari Pūreke assesses your address and secure storage when we review your endorsement application. 

For the classes of arms items that require endorsement, you must meet the secure storage requirements in the Arms Regulations 1992, regulation 28, Security precautions in relation to pistols, prohibited firearms, prohibited magazines, and restricted weapons  

For information about securely storing restricted and prohibited items, see section 4 of the secure storage guide for firearms and ammunition 

What to include in your pistol target shooting endorsement application:

Other documentation:

If you are applying for a pistol target shooting endorsement, you must include in your application: 

• evidence of pistol club membership 
• confirmation you have completed safety training delivered by a pistol club 

You must ask your club to download, complete, and send to Pistol New Zealand the supporting club and national association form (PDF).

Pistol New Zealand sends the completed form to Te Tari Pūreke. 

We require this form when we review your application.

What a dealer employee licence endorsements allow:

A dealer employee endorsement to your firearms licence can allow you to help deal in:

• pistols 
• pistol carbine conversion kits 
• restricted weapons 
• prohibited firearms 
• prohibited magazines

A dealer employee endorsement specifies the classes of arms item it allows you to help deal in.

If you get an endorsement, you can help deal in the endorsed arms items only in your role as an employee of a licenced dealer.

Make sure you apply for a new endorsement when your employer renews their dealer licence.

You can apply for a dealer employee endorsement at any time you have a firearms licence or apply for one.

A dealer employee endorsement does not allow you to apply for a permit to possess or a permit to import these classes of arms item.

Endorsement lifespan

A dealer employee endorsement to your firearms licence lasts for 12 months unless either:

• your firearms licence ends, or is surrendered or revoked 
• your employer's dealer licence ends, or is surrendered or revoked 
• the relevant endorsement to your employer's dealer licence is revoked, or 
• you stop working for that employer

Conditions

Dealer employee endorsements are subject to the Arms Amendment Regulations 2021, section 21A, Condition of endorsements for employees of licensed dealers

When you have a dealer employee endorsement on your firearms licence, you must notify New Zealand Police if you either: 

• stop working for that dealer, or 
• start working for another dealer

Endorsements are subject to the Arms Act 1983, section 31A, Conditions of endorsements

When you have an endorsement, you must produce on demand the endorsed arms item to New Zealand Police.

You must allow a member of New Zealand Police to:

• inspect the arms item and where you keep it and where it is kept on the dealer premises
• enter the dealer premises to do this inspection at a reasonable tim

The member of New Zealand Police making this inspection must identify themselves and say they are making the inspection under the Arms Act.

They must show identification that confirms they are a member of New Zealand Police.

Who can apply for a dealer employee endorsement:

To apply for a dealer employee endorsement to your firearms licence, you must: 

• be 16 years or older, for pistols and restricted weapons 
• be 18 years or older, for prohibited firearms and prohibited magazines 
• have a New Zealand firearms licence, or be applying for one

In your endorsement application, Te Tari Pūreke  asks questions about your skills, knowledge, and experience handling these classes of arms items in a business environment

We ask about: 

• your personal attributes 
• your obligations as an employee of a licensed dealer under the Arms Act and Arms Regulations 
• how you will meet these obligations

What you must tell us when you apply for a dealer licence endorsement:

In your application for an endorsement to your firearms licence, the authority asks questions you may have answered in previous licence or endorsement applications.

We ask these questions again to make sure we have the latest information when we review your application.

Endorsement referee:

In your application for a dealer employee endorsement, you must give:

• details of your employment
• name and contact details of your employer

Unless you say otherwise, your employer is also your endorsement referee for your dealer employee endorsement.

You do not have to use your employer as your endorsement referee.

If your endorsement referee is not your employer, they must be:

• 25 years or older
• a licensed firearms dealer or dealership business owner.

What to include in your dealer licence endorsement application:

Employer's letter:

In your dealer employee endorsement application, you must include a letter from your employer, or other evidence confirming you are employed by a licensed dealer.

What a pest control endorsement allows

A pest control endorsement to your firearms licence can allow you to use for pest control in your business or job:

• prohibited shotguns 
• prohibited centrefire rifles 
• prohibited magazines

A pest control endorsement specifies the classes of arms item it allows you to use for pest control.

If you get an endorsement, you can use the endorsed arms items for pest control only in your role as either a: 

• pest control business owner, manager or contractor
• pest control employee or contractor
• owner or manager of an agricultural, horticultural, or silvicultural business, or 
• employee of an agricultural, horticultural, or silvicultural business

You can apply for a pest control endorsement at the same time you apply for your firearms licence.

When you get an endorsement to your licence, you can apply for the necessary  permit to possess or to import

Endorsement lifespan

A pest control endorsement lasts for two years and six months.

Conditions

Endorsements are subject to the Arms Act 1983, section 31A, Conditions of endorsements

When you have an endorsement, you must produce on demand the endorsed arms item to a member of New Zealand Police.

You must allow a member of New Zealand Police to:

• inspect the arms item and where it is kept
• enter the premises to do this inspection at a reasonable time

The member of New Zealand Police making this inspection must identify themselves and say they are making the inspection under the Arms Act.

They must show identification that confirms they are a member of New Zealand Police.

Who can apply for a pest control endorsement

To apply for a pest control endorsement to your firearms licence, you must: 

• be 18 years or older 
• have a New Zealand firearms licence, or be applying for one

As a pest control endorsement applicant, you must meet the requirements of the Arms Act 1983, sections 30B, Power to make endorsement in respect of prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine

In your pest control endorsement application, Te Tari Pūreke asks questions about your experience handling prohibited firearms in animal pest control or wild animal recovery.

Your business

If you are a business owner or manager applying for a pest control endorsement, Te Tari Pūreke asks questions about your business, including the percentage of your income that comes from it.

Your activities

If you are an employee or contractor applying for a pest control endorsement, Te Tari Pūreke  asks questions to understand: 

• your animal pest control or wild animal recovery activities 
• why you have to use prohibited firearms for this work

If you are a business owner or manager applying for a pest controller endorsement, Te Tari Pūreke asks questions about your business activities, including: 

• the regions you work in 
• your pest animal problems 
• your plan to manage these problems

As a business owner, manager, or contractor you can apply for a pest control endorsement to do one or more of four business activities that require the use of prohibited firearms.

To apply for a pest control endorsement, you must either:

• have a written contract or agreement to do the activities now, or 
• be negotiating a written contract or agreement to do the activities soon

You can apply for a pest control endorsement to do one or more of four business activities defined by the Arms Act 1983, section 4A, Persons who may apply to import, manufacture, sell, supply, possess, or use prohibited items

• You are employed or engaged by the Department of Conservation to control wild animals or animal pests.
• You are employed or engaged by a management agency to control wild animals or animal pests.
• You have a concession from the minister of conservation to recover wild animals. 
• Your sole business, or a significant part of it, is controlling prescribed wild animals or animal pests, or working for someone who controls these.

What you must tell us when you apply for a pest control endorsement

In your application for an endorsement to your firearms licence, Te Tari Pūreke asks questions you may have answered in previous licence or endorsement applications.

We ask these questions again to make sure we have the latest information when we review your application.

Endorsement referee

In your application for a pest control endorsement, you must give the name and contact details of an endorsement referee.

Your endorsement referee must:

• be 20 years or older
• know a lot about wild animal recovery or animal pest control
• know and understand your activities, interest, and experience in wild animal recovery or animal pest control

Secure storage and locations

In your pest control endorsement application, Te Tari Pūreke asks questions to understand how you meet the tougher secure storage requirements in the Arms Regulations 1992, regulation 28, Security precautions in relation to pistols, prohibited firearms, prohibited magazines, and restricted weapons

For information about securely storing restricted and prohibited items, see section 4 of the secure storage guide for firearms and ammunition

People with access

If you are a business owner, manager, or contractor applying for a pest control endorsement, Te Tari Pūreke asks questions to understand how you make sure your employees and contractors continue to be trained and competent to have and use prohibited firearms and magazines.

Everyone who has or uses prohibited firearms and magazines for your business must have a:

• firearms licence
• endorsement
• permit to possess

What to include in your pest control endorsement application

Overseas criminal record checks

In your pest control endorsement application, Te Tari Pūreke asks if you have stayed in another country for more than six months in total in the last 10 years.

You must include in your application a scanned copy or digital photo of a criminal record check for each country you've stayed in for that long.

The criminal record check must be no more than two months old when you submit your application. Immigration New Zealand has guidance about criminal record checks, also known as police certificates, from other countries. Go to Immigration New Zealand to see how to get a police certificate

If you were posted or deployed to another country as part of your work for the New Zealand government, you can use a signed letter from your commanding officer or a senior manager instead of a police certificate.

The letter is to confirm you were not charged with or convicted of a criminal offence in that country while deployed there.

Accountant's letter

If you are a business owner or manager applying for a pest controller endorsement, you must include in your application a letter from your accountant or financial advisor confirming: 

• the percentage of your income that comes from your business 
• the regions you work in

Other business documentation

If you are an owner or manager of an agricultural, horticultural, or silvicultural business, or if you are a pest control business owner, manager or contractor applying for a pest control endorsement, you may need to include in your application:

• property pest management plan or contract for services from the property owner or manager
• expert evidence of your business's pest animal problems 
• documentary evidence of the regions you work in 
• documentary evidence of your management and development of employees and contractors – their training, testing, health and safety, and security.

What a bona fide collector endorsement allows

Once you have a bone fide collector endorsement, you can apply for the endorsed arms item using the necessary permit to import or permit to posess:

• pistols and restricted weapons 
• prohibited firearms 
• prohibited magazines

This endorsement specifies the classes of arms item it allows you to collect.

If you get this endorsement, you can have the endorsed arms items only as part of a collection and only in your role as a bona fide collector.

You can apply for a bona fide collector endorsement at the same time you apply for your firearms licence.

When you get a bona fide collector endorsement, you can apply for the endorsed arms item for the necessary permit to possess or to import.

Endorsement lifespan

A bone fide collector endorsement to your firearms licence lasts until your licence ends, or is surrendered or revoked. 

Conditions

You cannot use an arms item with a bona fide collector endorsement with live or blank ammunition.

If you have an arms item with a bona fide collector endorsement, you must: 

• make it inoperable by removing a vital part 
• keep it in an inoperable condition 

You must store the vital part of a prohibited firearm at a separate address Te Tari Pūreke  has approved. 

You can store the vital part of a restricted weapon in a separate secure storage at the same address Te Tari Pūreke has approved. 

See the: 

• vital parts storage guide 
• secure storage guide for firearms and ammunition 

Te Tari Pūreke can add conditions to your endorsement that allow you to carry the endorsed arms items from your home address to a: 

• police station 
• licensed dealer or gunsmith for repair, maintenance, or sale 
• organised sale or exhibition for display 

Te Tari Pūreke can add conditions when we issue your endorsement that allow you to carry the endorsed arms items to other locations that support the endorsement's purpose. 

If you want to carry the endorsed arms items to another location, you can apply to Te Tari Pūreke at any time for either: 

• an 'endorsement to carry', or 
• a condition to your endorsement 

Endorsements and conditions meet the requirements of the Arms Act 1983, section 36, Offence to carry pistol, prohibited firearm, prohibited magazine, or restricted weapon without authority.

Endorsements are subject to the Arms Act 1983, section 31A, Conditions of endorsements.

When you have an endorsement, you must produce on demand the endorsed arms items to a member of New Zealand Police. 

You must allow a member of New Zealand Police to: 

• inspect the arms items and where you keep them 
• enter your premises to do this inspection at a reasonable time 

The member of New Zealand Police making this inspection must identify themselves and say they are making the inspection under the Arms Act. 

They must show identification that confirms they are a member of New Zealand Police. 

Who can apply for a bona fide collector endorsement

To apply for a bona fide collector endorsement to your firearms licence, you must: 

• be 18 years or older 
• have a New Zealand firearms licence, or be applying for one 

In your bona fide collector endorsement application, Te Tari Pūreke asks questions about your experience of firearms, your collection, and your reasons for wanting to start or continue collecting: 

pistols 

• restricted weapons 
• prohibited firearms 
• prohibited magazines 

We ask about: 

• your personal attributes 
• your obligations as a bona fide collector of firearms under the Arms Act and Arms Regulations 
• how you will meet these obligations 

Your activity 

In your application for a bona fide collector endorsement, you must tell Te Tari Pūreke the theme and direction of your collection. 

A group of unrelated firearms is not a collection. Having many guns or an interest in guns does not make someone a collector.

A bona fide collector endorsement is for people to use only in their role as collectors and only for starting and maintaining their collections. 

A bona fide collector has an interest in a particular field. For example, a collection including items that are not firearms, but related to the same field of interest, like uniforms, could show someone is a bona fide collector. 

We recognise that a collector's interests evolve. But if an application for a bona fide collector endorsement does not include a description of the collection's themes and direction, we cannot make an informed decision when the collector applies for a permit to add items to it. 

Te Tari Pūreke must be able to assess the relevance of a proposed arms item to the collection and the collector with the endorsement.

To do this, Te Tari Pūreke must be able to approve the direction and scope of the licence holder’s collection activities when they first apply for this endorsement.

For example, the themes of the collection can include, for the time period the collector gives in their direction statement: 

• technical development of firearms and munitions 
• military history 
• social and political history 
• aesthetics of decoration and craftsmanship 

Additions to the collection must develop its themes and be consistent with the direction statement. 

You must have written authorisation from Te Tari Pūreke before changing your activities as a bona fide collector.

See the Arms Act 1983: 

• section 4A, Persons who may apply to import, manufacture, sell, supply, possess, or use prohibited items 
• section 29, Application for endorsements in respect of pistol or restricted weapon 

What you must tell us when you apply for a bona fide collector endorsement

In your endorsement application, Te Tari Pūreke asks questions you may have answered in previous licence or endorsement applications.

We ask these questions again to make sure we have the latest information when we review your application.

Endorsement referee

In your application for a bona fide collector endorsement, you must give the name and contact details of an endorsement referee.

Your endorsement referee must:

• be 20 years or older
• know and understand your collecting activities
• know and understand your genuine interest in the field you collect in

They should have a role in a firearms collecting club, like club secretary.

Your bona fide collector endorsement referee does not have to be firearms licence holder.

Secure storage and locations 

In your application for a bona fide collector endorsement, you must give details of your: 

• locations where you store firearms 
• secure storage for firearms and the vital parts of prohibited firearms 

Te Tari Pūreke assesses your locations and secure storage when we review your endorsement application. 

For the classes of arms items that require endorsement, you must meet the secure storage requirements in the Arms Regulations 1992, regulation 28, Security precautions in relation to pistols, prohibited firearms, prohibited magazines, and restricted weapons.

Vital parts storage guide

For information about securely storing restricted and prohibited items, watch the video guides for secure storage and transport of firearms and ammunition and see section 4 of the secure storage guide for firearms and ammunition.

What a memento and heirloom endorsement allows

A memento and heirloom endorsement to your firearms licence can allow you to keep an heirloom or memento of special significance to you that is either a:

• pistol or restricted weapon
• prohibited firearm, or
• prohibited magazine

This endorsement specifies the class of the arms item it allows you to keep as an heirloom or memento of special significance to you.

An heirloom is a firearm your family has kept for generations.

A memento is a firearm you keep in memory of a person or event.

Heirlooms and mementos are not collections and the purpose of this endorsement is not to gather a collection of arms items.

Once you have a memento or heirloom endorsement, you can apply for the endorsed arms item using the necessary permit to import or permit to possess.

When you get a memento and heirloom endorsement, you can apply for the endorsed arms item for the necessary permit to possess or import

Endorsement lifespan

A memento or heirloom endorsement to your firearms licence lasts until your licence ends, or is surrendered or revoked.

Conditions

You cannot use an arms item with a memento and heirloom endorsement with live or blank ammunition. 

If you have an arms item with this endorsement, you must: 

• make it inoperable by removing a vital part 
• keep it in an inoperable condition 

You must store the vital part of a prohibited firearm at a separate address Te Tari Pūreke has approved. 

You can store the vital part of a restricted weapon in separate secure storage at the same address Te Tari Pūreke has approved.

See the: 

• vital parts storage guide 
• video guides for secure storage and transport of firearms and ammunition

You must keep this arms item at your home address and it can only leave when you have written approval from Te Tari Pūreke.

You must not carry it from your address, unless Te Tari Pūreke allows you to do so in a particular case, in writing. 

Te Tari Pūreke may set conditions on how you part with this arms item. 

Endorsements are subject to the Arms Act 1983, section 31A, Conditions of endorsements

When you have an endorsement, you must produce on demand the endorsed arms item to a member of New Zealand Police. 

You must allow a member of New Zealand Police to: 

• inspect the arms item and where you keep it 
• enter your premises to do this inspection at a reasonable time

The member of New Zealand Police making this inspection must identify themselves and say they are making the inspection under the Arms Act. 

They must show identification that confirms they are a member of New Zealand Police. 

Who can apply for a memento and heirloom endorsement 

To apply for a memento and heirloom endorsement to your firearms licence, you must: 

• be 18 years or older 
• have a New Zealand firearms licence, or be applying for one 

What you must tell us when you apply for a memento and heirloom endorsement 

In your endorsement application, Te Tari Pūreke asks questions you may have answered in previous licence or endorsement applications. 

We ask these questions again to make sure we have the latest information when we review your application. 

Endorsement referee

In your application for a memento and heirloom endorsement, you must give the name and contact details of an endorsement referee. 

Your endorsement referee must: 

• be 20 years or older 
• know and understand the special significance of the arms item to you 

Your memento and heirloom endorsement referee does not have to be firearms licence holder. 

Secure storage and locations 

For the classes of arms items that require endorsement, you must meet the secure storage requirements in the Arms Regulations 1992, regulation 28, Security precautions in relation to pistols, prohibited firearms, prohibited magazines, and restricted weapons  

For information about securely storing restricted and prohibited items, watch the video guides for secure storage and transport of firearms and ammunition and see section 4 of the secure storage guide for firearms and ammunition 

How to apply:

Fill out the PDF application form

Login to MyFireams  and upload your pdf with your other Endorsement application

OR if you are only applying for this endorsement see:

How to apply with a pdf

Visit Tools and forms and download the endorsement form you need.

What a broadcaster, theatrical, living history, and theatrical armourer endorsement allows

Once you have a broadcaster, theatrical, living history and theatrical armourer endorsement, you can apply for the endorsed arms item using the necessary permit to import or permit to possess:

• broadcast productions 
• theatre productions 
• commemorative or re-enactment events 
• cinematic and television film productions 
• video recording productions 
• This endorsement can allow you to use with blank ammunition: 
• pistols 
• restricted weapons 
• prohibited firearms 
• prohibited magazines 

If you get an endorsement, you can use the endorsed arms items only for the permitted theatrical activity. 

You can use the endorsed arms items only in your role as an employee or member of a bona fide theatrical body: 

• broadcaster 
• theatre company or society 
• living history group 
• cinematic or television film production company 
• video recording production company 

These roles include: 

• living history member 
• living history theatrical armourer 
• theatrical armourer 

You can apply for a broadcaster, theatrical, living history, and theatrical armourer endorsement at the same time you apply for your firearms licence. 

When you get an endorsement to your licence, you must apply for the necessary permit to possess or to import 

Endorsement lifespan

A broadcaster, theatrical, living history and theatrical armourer endorsement to your firearms licence lasts until your licence ends, or is surrendered or revoked.

Conditions

With a broadcaster, theatrical, living history, and theatrical armourer endorsement, you can handle, store, and use the endorsed arms items only under the supervision of the onsite theatrical armourer in charge of the activity.

The supervising armourer must be appointed by the theatrical body in charge of the activity.

You must not act as an onsite theatrical armourer unless a condition of your endorsement allows you to.

With the right condition to their endorsement, a theatrical armourer can supervise the handling, storage, and use of endorsed arms items hired out by a dealer for a theatrical activity not at the dealer’s place of business.

If you have this condition to your endorsement, you must also have written consent from Te Tari Pūreke to supervise in this way at the site of the theatrical activity.

This consent must describe the theatrical activity and specify its:

• location
• duration.

Email the information to your regional firearms office. For contact information, see:

Contact us

You cannot use an arms item with this endorsement with live ammunition.

You can fire an arms item with this endorsement using blank ammunition only if a suitably experienced person has certified it is safe to do so.

When an arms item with this endorsement is not in use, you must:

• make it inoperable by removing a vital part
• keep it in an inoperable condition

You can store the vital part of a restricted weapon in a separate secure storage at the same address Te Tari Pūreke has approved. 

See the:

• vital parts storage guide 
• video guides for secure storage guide for firearms and ammunition 

You must secure from theft endorsed arms items and blank ammunition when they are:

• onsite and not in use
• displayed at an event or exhibition

Te Tari Pūreke can add conditions to your endorsement that allow you to carry the endorsed arms items from your home address to a

• police station
• licensed dealer or gunsmith for repair, maintenance, or sale
• organised sale or exhibition for display

Te Tari Pūreke can add conditions when we issue your endorsement that allow you to carry the endorsed arms items:

• between their secure storage and the location of the permitted theatrical activity
• to other locations that support the endorsement's purpose

If you want to carry the endorsed arms items to another location, you can apply to Te Tari Pūreke at any time for either:

• an 'endorsement to carry', or
• a condition to your endorsement

Endorsements and conditions meet the requirements of the Arms Act 1983, section 36, Offence to carry pistol, prohibited firearm, prohibited magazine, or restricted weapon without authority

Endorsements are subject to the Arms Act 1983, section 31A, Conditions of endorsements

When you have an endorsement, you must produce on demand the endorsed arms item to a member of New Zealand Police.

You must allow the member of New Zealand Police to:

• inspect the arms item and where you keep it
• enter your premises to do this inspection at a reasonable time

The member of New Zealand Police making this inspection must identify themselves and say they are making the inspection under the Arms Act.

They must show identification that confirms they are a member of New Zealand Police.

Who can apply for a broadcaster, theatrical, living history, and theatrical armourer endorsement

To apply for a broadcaster, theatrical, living history, and theatrical armourer endorsement to your firearms licence, you must:

• be 16 years or older
• have a New Zealand firearms licence, or be applying for one

Your activity

When you apply for an endorsement to have and use arms items for broadcast, theatre, film, or video productions, or historical re-enactment or commemorative events, you must say if you are applying as either or both:

• a theatrical armourer supervising the use of arms items
• an employee or member of a group, company, or society using these items.

An applicant for an endorsement to act as an onsite theatrical armourer must show and prove:

• experience in broadcast, theatre, film, or video production
• deep understanding of engineering and metalworking
• expertise and experience in the firearm modifications relevant to making a safe work environment for cast and crew
• experience writing plans for the health and safety of cast and crew
• experience writing plans for the safe transport and onsite storage of firearms before, during, and after a production.

An applicant for an endorsement to participate in historical re-enactment or commemorative events must:

• have written confirmation they are a member or employee of a bona fide theatrical body, signed by its chief executive officer
• explain why the company must have this arms item to make its productions
• give details of their experience in productions handling, and supervising others handling, automatic, semi-automatic and other firearms using blank ammunition.

An applicant must show they know:

• the screen sector health and safety guidelines, at ScreenSafe
• the Arms Act as it applies to this activity
• how to apply the safety code and Arms Act to the activity they plan to supervise

What you must tell us when you apply for a memento and heirloom endorsement 

In your endorsement application, Te Tari Pūreke asks questions you may have answered in previous licence or endorsement applications.

We ask these questions again to make sure we have the latest information when we review your application.

Endorsement referee

In your application for a broadcaster, theatrical, living history, and theatrical armourer endorsement, you must give the name and contact details of an endorsement referee.
Your endorsement referee must:

• be 20 or older
• know a lot about the use of arms items in theatrical activity
• know and understand your activities, interest, and experience in the use of arms items in theatrical activity

They must be a senior member of your bona fide theatrical body.

Secure storage and locations

For the classes of arms items that require endorsement, you must meet the secure storage requirements in the Arms Regulations 1992, regulation 28, Security precautions in relation to pistols, prohibited firearms, prohibited magazines, and restricted weapons

For information about securely storing restricted and prohibited items, see section 4 of the secure storage guide for firearms and ammunition

What to include in your broadcaster, theatrical, living history, and theatrical armourer endorsement application

Other documentation

If you are applying for this endorsement as a theatrical armourer, you must include in your application written confirmation you are a member or employee of a bona fide theatrical body, signed by its chief executive officer.

Fee

The fee for one or more firearms licence endorsements, applied for at the same time, is $204 This fee includes GST and is not refundable.

A fit and proper person:

• is a person of good conduct and character
• possesses and uses firearms responsibly
• stores firearms and ammunition securely
• abides by the laws of New Zealand.

When Te Tari Pūreke assesses if you are a fit and proper person, we consider:

• your overall character and conduct
• information provided by you and your referees
• information we hold or receive from any source.

The Arms Act 1983 gives some circumstances in which Te Tari Pūreke may find you are not a fit and proper person to use and possess firearms. If any of these circumstances apply to you, we do not automatically refuse your application.

We will probably have more questions if you have:

• been charged with or convicted of an offence punishable by imprisonment been charged with or convicted of an offence under the Arms Act 1983, against section 231A of the Crimes Act 1961, or against the Game Animal Council Act 2013, the Wildlife Act 1953, or the Wild Animal Control Act 1977
• had a protection order made against you under section 79 of the Family Violence Act 2018, or section 14 of the Domestic Violence Act 1995
• given grounds for a protection order under the Family Violence Act 2018
• had a restraining order made against you under the Harassment Act 1997
• not complied with the requirements of the Arms Act, regulations made under the Arms Act, or the conditions of a permit, licence, or endorsement issued to you under the Arms Act
• been a member or affiliated with a gang or organised criminal group
• exhibited, encouraged, or promoted violence, hatred, or extremism
• been assessed as a risk to national security
• a mental or physical illness or injury that affects your ability to safely possess firearms
• abused alcohol or been dependent on alcohol
• used drugs that affect your judgement or behaviour.

If Te Tari Pūreke deems you not fit and proper, we will advise you of our reasons and give you the opportunity to refute or comment on it.

In your application for an endorsement to your firearms licence, you must give the name and contact details of an endorsement referee.

This endorsement referee is in addition to the referees in your firearms licence application. 

Your endorsement referee must not be: 

• your relative, spouse, or partner, or a former spouse or partner from the past five years 
• your employee 
• employed by New Zealand Police 
• living at the same address as you 
• already in your endorsement or licence application.

If you are only applying for an endorsement, and not a licence, you must provide a photo.

You must supply a recent, good quality digital photograph that is a good likeness of yourself. A scanned copy of a photograph will not be accepted. 

The photograph must meet the minimum requirements as set out in Regulation 30 of the Arms Regulations 1992. Passport photos from commercial outlets will typically meet these requirements. 

This means the photograph must: 

• have been taken within the last 12 months   
• be a full front view of your face – chin to forehead and both sides of your face  
• show head and shoulders, with the head filling most of the photograph  
• be of you without a hat or head covering (except where your religion requires you to wear a hat or head covering)  
• have a plain, light-coloured background  
• be in colour and in focus  
• be in portrait format (with a 4:3 aspect ratio)  
• be in JPG or JPEG format  
• be between 25KB and 10MB  
• be between 900 and 4500 pixels wide and 1200 and 6000 pixels high.  

We will not accept photographs that do not meet these standards.