Dr Kelvin Watson has been appointed as the inaugural Chief Executive of Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand (FSE).

Dr Watson will formally take up the role on 23 September 2026. This is the commencement date for most of the provisions in the new Arms Act 2026, including the establishment of FSE as the firearms regulator.

Dr Watson has been Deputy Secretary (Corporate Services) at the Ministry of Justice since October 2023, where he was responsible for a range of services including finance, property, digital and IT services, and communications. 

He has previously held senior leadership positions at Statistics New Zealand, Capital and Coast District Health Board, New Zealand Post, and the Open Polytechnic. 

The Chief Executive is a statutory role with a range of regulatory and licensing powers under the new Arms Act 2026. It is appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Secretary for Justice. 

FSE will be an autonomous agency hosted by NZ Police. It will administer the law in respect of firearms licensing, endorsements, permits, shooting clubs and ranges, the sale, supply and manufacture of arms items, amongst other matters, as well as maintaining the Firearms Registry, promotion and education activity about firearms safety and compliance, and monitoring and enforcing compliance with the Arms Act. 

It takes over from the Firearms Safety Authority - Te Tari Pūreke, which was established in 2022 as a separately branded business unit in Police following the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch mosques. 

The Ministry of Justice have a monitoring role over the new agency.