Introducing the new Arms Act

Parliament has recently passed the Arms Act 2026 to repeal and replace the Arms Act 1983. In doing so, New Zealand’s firearms laws have been updated and modernised following extensive feedback from the firearms community. 

Some key changes include:

• Requiring any person or organisation operating under the firearms regulatory regime to act in the interests of personal, community and public safety.
• Gang membership disqualifies a person from holding a firearms licence.
• Firearms regulator given power to issue infringements for low-level non-compliance by a licensed firearm owner.
• Codifying how the firearms regulator, Police, and other agencies share information that raises concerns about a licence holders’ “fit and proper” status and to share information about risks and incidents involving arms items.
• Penalties increased to reflect the seriousness of offences.
• Greater flexibility for licence holders to store firearms in the most appropriate location to prevent theft and unlawful access.
• Dealer’s licences renamed "business licences" and their duration extended to five years for compliant holders.
• Creation of museum-specific licences.
• Fee reviews every five years.

The new Act establishes Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand as the new autonomous regulator of the firearms system, replacing Te Tari Pūreke - the Firearms Safety Authority, which was a branded business unit of the New Zealand Police.

Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand is headed by an independent chief executive appointed by the Governor-General who reports to the responsible Minister.

The new agency will receive corporate services and support from the Police – things like Finance, IT and HR support. The Ministry of Justice is responsible for monitoring it.

There is more information at: 

Better firearm laws locked and loaded (Ministerial release)

Firearms reform | New Zealand Ministry of Justice