The new regulator – Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand

Who is the new firearms regulator?

From 23 September 2026 Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand (FSE) will be a new independent firearms regulator. It replaces Te Tari Pūreke – Firearms Safety Authority.

What is the role of the new regulator? 

The new firearms regulator will focus on community safely, while providing simpler and smarter services for firearms licence holders.  

Working with the firearms community we will be focused on keeping our families and communities safe from harm through our regulatory efforts: 

• engaging and educating licence holders on the safe use and possession of firearms 
• effective and timely management of firearms licensing 
• overseeing the registration of firearms through the Firearms Registry, and 
• regulatory interventions, where necessary. 

Why has this change been made? 

These changes are designed to deliver: 

• Better compliance and stronger safety measures 
• Faster, more reliable digital services 
• Reduced compliance costs 
• A more modern, user‑friendly system for firearms owners 

Are modernised systems and processes being worked on? 

Yes, work has begun creating a single, fully integrated, digital Arms System. This will support firearms licensing, case management and registration. 

The key driver of this ICT program is to enable delivery of the firearms reforms in the new Arms Act which support a modern, simplified, and fit for purpose firearms regulatory regime.   

The new Arms System will be significantly more convenient for users, enabling them to easily complete key tasks including licensing, registration, arms item transfers, and licence status checks online.  

In what way will FSE be 'independent' of NZ Police? 

Firearms regulatory decisions will no longer sit within NZ Police and they will be delivered independently by Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand.  

The model for setting up Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand is that of a departmental agency. That means it is an operationally autonomous organisation, while legally part of a larger department that is hosting it – the NZ Police.   

The key feature of this model is that FSE has its own Chief Executive who reports directly to the responsible Minister. Therefore, from Day One, all of reporting lines will change, away from the Police Commissioner to reporting up through a new Chief Executive. 

What are NZ Police responsible for? 

NZ Police continue to focus on criminal law enforcement.   

Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand will receive corporate services and support from the Police – including Finance, IT facilities and HR support. An agreement between Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand and NZ Police will be in place before 'commencement'. 

What is the Ministry of Justice’s ongoing role?  

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) will have an important role providing monitoring and oversight. MoJ will take on new functions delivering:  

• Statutory appointments (in particular, the Firearms Licensing Review Committee members)  
• Performance monitoring of Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand, and  
• System monitoring including external evaluation.  

For individual licence holders 

What happens to individual firearms licence holders on 23 September (Day One)? 

• On Day One, all firearms licences remain current under the new Act. All conditions relating to firearms licences in the new Act will begin to apply from that date.  
• Applicants who apply for a new licence before Day One, where it is not finalised, will continue to be processed - but under the new Act. The applicant will not be asked to submit the application form again. However, if any further information is required during processing, this may be asked for. 

What if you’ve already applied for a review of a licence refusal or revocation? 

• A person who submits a s.62 review prior to Day One, where a final decision has not been made, will be passed to the Licensing Review Committee to make the decision. 
• A refused person or revoked licence holder who undergoes a s.62 review prior to Day One, could appeal the decision to District Court under the 1983 Act provisions. Any other decision against a licence holder under the 1983 Act that does not require a s. 62 review, could still be appealed to District Court under the 1983 Act provisions. 

Does the new Act change who can get a firearms licence?              

In addition to the previous definitions of who are ‘fit and proper’, the new Act explicitly prohibits gang members from holding firearms licences. 

What is the new Firearms Licencing Review Committee all about? 

A Firearms Licensing Review Committee is being established to ensure transparent and independent review is available for firearms licence decisions.  

Licence holders will be able to take firearms licence decisions to the new independent Firearms Licensing Review Committee. The Review Committee will be able to review both conditions imposed on firearms licences and decisions to refuse or revoke them.   

Having an independent review process is intended to increase trust in the system, and should reduce the number of appeals taken by licence holders to the District Court, which can be costly in time and money. 

How is the Firearms Licencing Review Committee set up?

The Review Committee Chair and Members will be appointed by the Minister on the advice of the Ministry of Justice for a term of up to 5-years and may be reappointed. To perform its functions, the Committee will sit in panels of three members. 

The workload of the Review Committee will vary according to the volume of reviews. 

The remuneration for all members of the Review Committee is set by the Cabinet Fees Framework.  

How do I access the new Licensing Review Committee? 

There will be more detail on the Firearms Licensing Review Committee, as its processes and systems are implemented.

Endorsements & permits 

What happens to endorsement holders at 23 September? 

• Endorsement holders will also remain current under the new Act, and all conditions under the new Act relating to endorsements apply to them.  
• Applicants who apply before Day One and are not yet finalised, will continue to be processed as is, but under the new Act. The applicant will not be asked to submit the application form again. If any further information is required during processing, this may be asked for during the process. 

Biosecurity (formerly pest) controllers endorsement 

Will Biosecurity (formerly pest) controllers’ endorsement last five years? 

• From 23 February 2028, the duration of restricted firearms endorsements issued for biosecurity control (formerly ‘pest control’) purposes is shifting to five years.  
• Once the five-year endorsement regime is in effect (February 2028), you will be required to inform the regulator on an ongoing basis of any relevant changes in your circumstances.  

What are the multi-user agreements being introduced in 2028 all about? 

• Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand will introduce from 23 February 2028, multi-user agreements. These will allow specified employees of biosecurity organisations to share restricted (formerly prohibited) firearms without triggering permit-to-possess or Registry updates for each short-term transfer of less than seven days. 
• A biosecurity employee listed in a multi-user agreement can posses one or more restricted magazines and the same restricted firearm for seven days or less.   

Collectors 

From February 2028, can collectors store vital parts with other (non-endorsed) licence holders? 

• Yes, from 23 February 2028, licence holders with collectors endorsements are allowed to store vital parts with other licence holders who do not need an endorsement to be able to store these parts. 

From February 2028, are collectors able to store vital parts at commercial facilities? 

• Yes, from 23 February 2028, endorsed licence holders will be able store vital parts at commercial storage facilities. 

Permits to import 

Are there any changes to permits to import? 

• From 23 September, licence holders will see new terminology on permits to import and may be asked for more information about their import when it is processed.  
• Previously, exempt standard firearms, exempt pistols, exempt blank-firing guns, and large capacity pistol magazines will require a permit to import.  

What happens to existing permits on 23 September, 2026? 

• For permits to import that have been issued before 23 September, permit holders can still import their items using the permit that was issued to them prior to day one.  

Permits to possess 

What is happening to permits to possess? 

• Licence holders will see new terminology on permits to possess and may be asked for more information about their application when it is processed.  
• There is a requirement to provide detail for why it is appropriate to possess the item to which the permit relates.  

What happens to existing permits to possess at 23 September? 

• For permits that have been issued before 23 September, the permit continues and can be used as was issued. 

Manufacture 

What about people wanting to manufacture firearms? 

• Licence holders wanting to manufacture pistols, restricted weapons or pistol carbine conversion kits will require an approved permit to possess before they can manufacture. 

Do people need a permit to possess when firearms are returned to them from a gunsmith? 

• Licence holders will not require a permit to possess items that have been with a business (gunsmith) and that are returned within 21 days or less.

For Businesses (formerly dealers) and other organisations (including museums and shooting clubs and ranges) 

What is happening to dealer licences? 

• Dealer licences will be renamed ‘Business licences.’  
• For people who previously had a dealers licence because they were involved in museum curation or management, a ‘Museum licence’ will be available. 

Is the duration of a licence the same? 

• No. Dealer licence will last five years after a compliance record is established. This means licence holders on their third licence (second ‘renewal’) will become eligible for a five-year licence.  
• The first licence applied for will continue to last for one year; as does a second licence issued (the first ‘renewal). Thereafter, the Business licence will last five years.    

What happens on 23 September, 2026? 

• On “day one” a Dealer licence will remain current under the new Act as a Business licence. All conditions issued under the previous Act continue to apply as if issued under the new Act. All new conditions of the 2026 Act will also apply. 
• A Business licence expires on the date specified on your existing licence card. 

What happens to applications started before 23 September 2026? 

• Applicants who have applied for a new Business (formerly Dealer) licence before day one (23 September 2026) and it has not been finalised, will continue to be processed but under the new Act. The applicant will not be asked to submit the application form again. If any further information is required during processing, this may be asked for.   

What happens to any endorsements already held by business licence holders? 

• Business licence holders (formerly dealers) who have endorsements before day one (23 September 2026) will continue on and after that day. From day one, endorsements will continue in force as long as your licence does. This means that a five-year licence will have endorsements all remaining in force for the five-year licence term. 

Will Business (formerly 'dealers') be issued a new licence card? 

• Dealers will receive a new Business licence card when they renew their licence. When they get a new Business licence, if this is their third time licence (second ‘renewal’) that licence will then last five years. 
• The exception to this is if a card is lost or stolen; or a licence holder makes any notification (for example, for a change of premises, or change of employee; or they apply for a new business activity). In these circumstances we will issue a new Business licence card before the expiry (this information will be added to the NIA system). 

Will these licence cards look the same? 

• From 23 September to around March 2027, if issued a new licence card, you will notice it will look different – the card will no longer have the red band at the top saying ‘New Zealand Dealer’s Licence’. Instead, on the face of your card you will see the words ‘Business Licence’. This is an interim card solution. 
• From around March 2027 we’ll be introducing a new permanent card solution for all firearms businesses. We expect to reissue all businesses a refreshed card at that point, though final decisions on this aspect are still pending. 

Are business licence holders' Registry obligations changing? 

• There is a small change related to businesses’ Registry obligations. The final date by which all businesses (formerly dealers) must have registered arms items in their possession as part of their Business licence will now be 24 June 2029 (previously 2028).
• This timeframe has moved out by one year. This will allow the new digital Arms System to be developed, which is expected to help simplify how dealers can register their arms items. 

Will businesses still be able to sell blank firing guns? 

• Under the new Arms Act, a person will require a firearms licence to possess a blank-firing gun. At commencement (23 September, 2026) anybody who already has a blank-firing gun does not need to apply for a firearms licence. But if you seek to purchase or import a new blank-firing gun, you will need a firearms licence before you can legally obtain any further blank-firing guns. 
• From day one, firearms businesses (formerly dealers) can only sell or supply blank firing guns to licence holders. It’s also a requirement that anyone who possesses a blank firing gun can only sell to a licence holder.  

Do the new Business licences allow the manufacture of pistols, restricted weapons, pistol carbine conversion kits, or air pistol carbine conversion kits? 

• Business licence holders can still manufacture arms items if they received specific approval prior to Day One. Any new items will require them to apply for approval to manufacture under the new Act.  

Business Employees  

Do employees of businesses need endorsements to handle restricted firearms?  

• Employees of a firearms business (former ‘dealers’) will not need endorsements or permits to possess to handle restricted firearms (formerly prohibited) and other arms items in the course of their duties.  
• They still require a firearms licence to work at a licensed business if they are handling arms items. They will still be unable to make an application for a permit to possess independent of the business licence holder. 

What do employees do if their 'F' endorsement is expiring before 23 September? 

• Firearms dealer employees whose Firearms ‘F’ endorsements are due to expire in the coming months are being encouraged to contact the Firearms Compliance Dealer Team to discuss their circumstances to ensure continuity of business operations. 
• Under the Arms Act 2026 dealer employees will no longer need an endorsement to handle endorsed items after 23 September -- dealer employees will only be required to hold a firearms licence. 
• We recognise that the proposed legislative changes may create uncertainty for some dealer employees and employers. The Firearms Safety Authority, soon to be Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand, Dealer Team will work directly with affected individuals to identify practical options and help ensure business continuity during the transition period.  
• To minimise disruption and support affected businesses and employees, those with F Endorsements expiring between now and the commencement of the legislation (23 September, 2026) are advised to contact the Dealer Team by email at firearmscompliance@police.govt.nz. 

Ammunition sellers 

Is anything happening to ammunition sellers? 

• There is a change coming for ammunition sellers but not until July 2027.  
• At that time, ammunition sellers will require prior approval from the regulator, instead of just notifying of their intention to sell ammunition. 

Museums 

What is changing for museum curators/managers? 

• From 23 September, 2026, museum curators/managers no longer require a Dealer licence (renamed ‘Business licence’) as they will have their own class of licence – a Museum Licence.  

What do museum curators need to do to get a Museum Licence? 

• Those who held a Dealer’s licence to be a museum curator/manager before 23 September, 2026, will be treated as a Museum Licence holder from that date. 

Do museum curators/managers still need an ordinary firearms licence? 

• Yes. Museum curators or managers will still require a firearms licence to apply for the new Museum Licence. A museum licence expires on the date specified on their existing licence card. 

Is there a change to museum licence holders' Firearms Registry obligations? 

• There is a small change related to their Registry obligations. The final date by which all Museum licence holders (formerly Dealers) must register museum arms items in their possession will now be 24 June 2029 (previously 2028).

Will museum workers need an individual firearms licence? 

• A new Museum Worker Licence for museum employees is created that allows holders to handle arms items at their workplace as part of their duties.  
• They will not need to maintain an individual firearms licence to hold a museum worker licence.  

What else is changing for museum workers? 

• Museum workers will also not need security at their home/primary residence, and they will no longer need to provide details about their health practitioner.  
• Museum workers will not need an endorsement on their Museum Worker Licence to handle endorsed items.  
• The duration of a Museum Worker Licence will be five years on the first applications, moving to ten years on subsequent licence applications.  

Clubs and Ranges 

What happens to pistol shooting clubs and ranges on 23 September?    

• Any certificate of approval issued to a pistol shooting club before 23 September is treated as a certificate of approval under the 2026 Act. Any conditions previously included for the club will continue.  
• Any application from a pistol shooting club that was made but not determined prior to 23 September is to be treated as an application under the 2026 Act.  
• Any certification issued to a pistol shooting range before 23 September is treated as certification under the 2026 Act. Any conditions previously included for the range will continue.  
• Any application from a pistol shooting range that was made but not determined prior to 23 September is to be treated as an application under the 2026 Act.  

Are non-pistol shooting clubs and ranges treated the same?    

• Yes. Any non-pistol shooting club enrolled before 23 September is treated as enrolled under the 2026 Act. Any conditions previously included for the club will continue.  
• Any application from a non-pistol shooting club that was made but not determined prior to 23 September is treated as an application under the 2026 Act.  
• Any non-pistol shooting range enrolled before 23 September is treated as enrolled under the 2026 Act. Any conditions previously included for the range will continue.  
• Any application from a non-pistol shooting range made but not determined prior to 23 September is to be treated as an application under the 2026 Act.  

Is the number of required annual pistol shoots changing? 

• Yes, regulations are expected to change the number of scheduled pistol shooting activities required to maintain a pistol endorsement from 12 to 10 each year.  
• This change will be confirmed in regulations (currently under construction). We’ll update pistol shooters when we get greater detail.

Firearms Registry

Has the timing changed for individual licence holders for getting their firearms registered? 

• There is no change to the date by which all individual licence holders need to register their arms items.  
• All licence holders must register their arms items or declare they have no arms items in possession, by 24 June 2028. 

Are business licence holders' Registry obligations changing? 

• There is a small change related to businesses’ Registry obligations. The final date by which all Businesses (formerly Dealers) must have registered arms items in their possession as part of their business licence will now be 24 June 2029 (previously 2028).
• This timeframe has moved out by one year. This will allow the new digital Arms System to be operational, which is expected to help simplify how dealers can register their arms items. 

Safety, Storage and well being 

In the future, will health related suspensions last 12 months? 

• From 23 February 2028, suspensions for health-related reasons will last for 12 months, giving licence holders more time to seek medical advice and address concerns. 

Will the regulator – FSE – be able to issue infringement notices?  

• Yes, the new Arms Act allows in the future for the regulator to issue infringements for low level non-compliance. This is not expected straight away, and will only begin when an infringement regime is set up by the regulator, which may be 12 to 18 months away.  
• We will keep licence holders informed of developments towards the infringements regime as they occur.

Visitors

What changes impact visitors? 

• From 23 February 2028, visitor licences will allow people to use firearms while making multiple trips to New Zealand within a 18-month period. A person can apply for either a one trip or multi-trip option from 23 February 2028. 

   

Terminology and language

The pathways to the new Arms Act