Changes for individual licence holders

What does the Arms Act 2026 mean for individual firearms licence holders?

From 23 September 2026, all licence holders come under the Arms Act 2026. Any conditions that apply to firearms licences under the new Act will take effect from that date.

If you applied for a new licence before 23 September 2026 and your application has not yet been completed, it will continue to be processed under the new Act.

You will not need to submit a new application form. However, you may be asked to provide additional information if it is required to process your application.

And endorsement holders?

People who hold an endorsement remain endorsed under the Arms Act 2026. Any conditions that apply to endorsements under the new Act take effect from 23 September 2026.

If you applied for an endorsement before 23 September and your application has not yet been completed, it will continue to be processed under the new Act.

You will not need to submit a new application form. However, you may be asked to provide additional information if it is needed to process your application.

Establishment of Firearms Licensing Review Committee

Under the Arms Act 2026, a new Firearms Licensing Review Committee has been established to review decisions made by Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand related to:

  • declining to issue a firearms licence on an application made
  • imposing a condition on a firearms licence under section
  • revoking a firearms licence

The Firearms Licensing Review Committee is made up of a Chair and other members. Committee members are appointed by the Minister, on the advice of the Ministry of Justice, for terms of up to five years. Members may be reappointed. To carry out its functions, the Committee sits in panels of three members.

Having an independent review process is intended to increase trust in the system and reduce the number of appeals reaching the courts, reducing the significant costs individuals can face when appealing decisions through the courts.

Related licensing information

Firearms Licensing Review Committee established | Arms Act 2026, Part 7, section 321 | New Zealand Legislation website

Reviews of firearms licensing decisions

A person may apply for a review of a decision made by Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand. After reviewing the decision, the newly established Firearms Licensing Review Committee will notify the applicant of its decision.

Under the new Arms Act, the original decision will remain in place until five working days after the applicant has been notified of the Firearms Licensing Review Committee's decision.

This gives both the applicant and the regulator time to consider whether to appeal and allows any necessary administrative processes to take place.

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

If you applied for a review before 23 September 2026 and a decision has not yet been made, your application will be transferred to the Firearms Licensing Review Committee for a decision.

If you applied for a review before 23 September 2026 and your licence was refused or revoked, you can still appeal the decision to the District Court under the Arms Act 1983 provisions.

Other decisions made under the Arms Act 1983 that do not require a review can also be appealed to the District Court under the Arms Act 2026.

Apply or reapply for firearm licence

Related licensing information

Reviews of firearms licensing decisions | Arms Act 2026, Part 3, section 80 | New Zealand Legislation website

Appeals to District Court | Arms Act 2026, Part 8, section 356 | New Zealand Legislation website

Licensing requirements for blank-firing guns

Under the Arms Act 2026, you must have a firearms licence before importing or purchasing a blank-firing gun.

If you already own one of these guns and do not have a firearms licence, you can keep it. However, you can only sell or transfer it to someone who holds a valid firearms licence.

Importing firearms and other items

Requirement for possession of blank-firing gun | Arms Act 2026, Part 2, section 17 | New Zealand Legislation website

Licence to possess blank-firing gun | Arms Act 2026, Schedule 1, Part 1, section 5 | New Zealand Legislation website

Requirement for importing firearms | Arms Act 2026, Part 2, section 56 | New Zealand Legislation website

Permits required before manufacturing

Under the Arms Act 2026, licence holders wanting to manufacture pistols, restricted weapons or pistol carbine conversion kits, must obtain an approved permit to possess before they can manufacture. 

This change reduces the risk of investing resources in items they may not be permitted to possess. Previously, a permit to possess did not need to be obtained until the manufacturing process was nearing completion. 

Export, import or manufacture arms items

Other applications forms

Permits to posses

Requirement for manufacture of certain arms items by firearms licence holders | Arms Act 2026, Part 2, section 68 | New Zealand Legislation website

Manufactured items must be sold through a licensed business

Under the Arms Act 2026, if a licensed firearms owner manufactures a firearm or firearm part for personal use, it can only be sold through a business licence holder.

This change helps improve public safety by preventing unsafe items from entering circulation. It closes a loophole that allowed items originally manufactured for personal use to be sold later without regulatory oversight or quality assurance.

Export, import or manufacture arms items

Requirement for selling or supplying arms item manufactured for personal use by firearms licence holder | Arms Act 2026, Part 2, section 40 | New Zealand Legislation website

Gang members cannot hold a firearms licence

Under the Arms Act 2026, any person identified as a gang member is disqualified from holding a firearms licence.

A person with close affiliations to a gang or organised criminal group may be considered not fit and proper to hold a firearms licence.

Before you apply

Persons disqualified from holding firearms licence | Arms Act 2026, Part 3, section 70 | New Zealand Legislation website

Persons who may be found not fit and proper to hold firearms licence | Arms Act 2026, Part 3, section 71 | New Zealand Legislation website

Faster firearms licence renewals for international travellers

From 23 February 2028, licence holders who need to renew their licences urgently for international travel, and have a valid reason (for example, to participate in an international shooting or hunting competition), will be able to apply for an urgent renewal process.

This change will enable faster decisions for individuals with a legitimate need and support responsible firearms users to comply with the law, particularly during periods of high demand when licence renewal processing times may be longer.

Before you apply

Priority applications by persons travelling overseas to participate in international activities | Arms Act 2026, Part 8, section 388 | New Zealand Legislation website

Mental health-related licence suspensions extended

From 23 February 2028, the suspension period for a firearms licence due to mental health reasons will be extended to 12 months.

Previously, suspensions were limited to three months, a period that was often insufficient to obtain medical reports or implement appropriate mitigations.

Extending the suspension period will provide greater flexibility and ensure licence holders have sufficient time to seek medical advice and address any concerns, while maintaining public safety. 

Related licensing information

Mental health and wellbeing of firearms licence holders

When licence may be suspended | Arms Act 2026, Part 3, section 146 | New Zealand Legislation website

 

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