1

Our Terms of Reference restricted us from inquiring into or making recommendations on amendments to firearms legislation. In addition, amendments to the Arms Act 1983 were passed in 2019 and 2020. The scope for recommendations in relation to firearms is, therefore, more limited than would otherwise be the case. It is nonetheless critical that policies remain fit for purpose.

2

The firearms licensing system needs to be exacting to ensure that the risk of inappropriate people having firearms is mitigated. There are a number of issues with New Zealand’s firearms licensing system, not all of which have been addressed by the recent legislative amendments (Part 5, chapter 4).

3

To address these issues we recommend changes that will result in a more efficient and effective, risk-based firearms licensing system, including:

  1. the consistent application of the fit and proper person test across police Districts;
  2. more highly skilled and better trained licensing staff who can exercise evaluative judgements about risks and how to deal with them, supported by better policies and operational guidance; and
  3. improved risk-based management of applicants who have recently arrived in New Zealand, including by requiring applicants who have lived outside of New Zealand for substantial periods of time in the ten years preceding the application to produce police or criminal history checks from countries in which they have previously resided.

Recommendation 19

We recommend that the Government:

Direct New Zealand Police (or other relevant entity) to make policies and operational standards and guidance for the firearms licensing system clear and consistent with legislation.

Recommendation 20

We recommend that the Government:

Direct New Zealand Police (or other relevant entity) to introduce an electronic system for processing firearms licence applications.

Recommendation 21

We recommend that the Government:

Direct New Zealand Police (or other relevant entity) to ensure firearms licensing staff have regular training and undertake periodic reviews of the quality of their work.

Recommendation 22

We recommend that the Government:

Direct New Zealand Police (or other relevant entity) to introduce performance indicators that focus on the effective implementation of the firearms licensing system. Key indicators should include:

  1. regular performance monitoring of firearms licensing staff to ensure national standards are met; and
  2. public confidence in the firearms licensing system is increased (as measured by New Zealand Police citizens’ satisfaction survey reports or similar mechanism).

Recommendation 23

We recommend that the Government:

Direct New Zealand Police (or other relevant entity) to require two new processes in the case of applicants who have lived outside of New Zealand for substantial periods of time in the ten years preceding the application:

  1. applicants should be required to produce police or criminal history checks from countries in which they have previously resided; and
  2. Firearms Vetting Officers should interview family members or other close connections in other countries using technology if the applicant does not have near relatives or close associates living in New Zealand.

Recommendation 24

We recommend that the Government:

Introduce mandatory reporting of firearms injuries to New Zealand Police by health professionals.