About the new regulator

Parliament has recently updated and modernised New Zealand’s firearms laws. Firearms oversight has also changed. From 23 September 2026, Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand (FSE) is the new autonomous firearms regulator. It replaces Te Tari Pūreke – Firearms Safety Authority.

The new firearms regulator will focus on community safety, 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. 

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 

Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand (FSE) is led by its own Chief Executive and accountable to its Minister. 

From 23 September 2026, FSE continues to have responsibility for decisions under the Arms Act in areas like licensing; the sale, supply, manufacture, transport and storage of firearms, parts and ammunition; training and education to promote firearms safety and compliance; certifying or enrolling shooting clubs and ranges; and maintaining the Firearms Registry. 

NZ Police retains responsibility for law enforcement, prosecution of offences, and immediate public-safety responses. 

NZ Police is the host agency for FSE, which means NZ Police  provides a range of corporate support like IT, finance, human resources and other shared services where operational responsibilities overlap, under an agreed Working Arrangement. An Information-Sharing Agreement is also being developed to allow NZ Police and FSE to lawfully share and access information that each agency needs to carry out its law enforcement, compliance, and regulatory functions under the Arms Act.

In our regulatory role, we monitor ongoing performance and work collaboratively with others to enable us to respond to future changes in the firearms system.