New Zealand - Apply for Visitor Firearms (Gun) Licence

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Procedure

Apply online: Apply for a visitor's firearms licence online at least one month before your visit. Link

Bringing firearms into New Zealand: You will also need a permit to bring firearms into New Zealand, including for hunting or competition. You can apply for an import permit at same time as you apply for a visitors firearms licence.
Before you begin your application:

• check if your standard sporting firearms or target pistols (for use in national or international competitions) are on the approved firearms list
• if they are not on the list, or are not standard sporting firearms (for example they are military-style semi-automatics 'assault rifles' for use in national or international competitions) send details of the make, model, action-type, calibre, magazine size and reason for importing, to New Zealand Police for assessment, using this Firearms team contact form

To apply complete the Online Firearms Visitors Application form - Link

Note: If you arrive with firearms that are included on the approved firearms list, Police may ask you to surrender the firearms for safekeeping and you can have them back when you leave the country.

There are offensive weapons you are not allowed to bring into New Zealand:

• knuckle-dusters (including knives with knuckle dusters incorporated)
• swordsticks
• any weapon disguised to have the appearance of something else
• any knife where the blade opens automatically by button, spring, or other device (e.g. flick knife)
• any knife where the blade is released by force of gravity or force to the central point, and which is then locked in place by a button, spring, lever or other device
• any knife (excluding folding pocket knife with blade less than 10cm) that is designed for easy concealment on the body, or has a double-edged blade designed for stabbing/throwing, or any knife known as urban skinner, terminator, black eagle, black dagger, throwing knife
• bayonets.

If you want to bring any of these weapons into New Zealand, Before you leave your home country apply to the New Zealand Police Licensing and Vetting Service.

When you arrive in New Zealand

You must declare all firearms to New Zealand Customs officials.

They will then refer you to New Zealand Police, who will:

1. check your passport
2. check your foreign firearms licence, some countries, such as the United States of America, do not issue firearms licences. In this case you will need to provide:
   proof that you can legally own a firearm in your own country, such as a hunting permit
   proof that you have been trained in firearms safety.
3. collect the $25.00 licence application fee
4. decide if you should receive a visitors firearms licence and import permit and issue them if necessary.

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Required Documents

• Passport
• Foreign firearms licence
• Some countries, such as the United States of America, do not issue firearms licences. In this case you will need to provide:
  • proof that you can legally own a firearm in your own country, such as a hunting permit
  • proof that you have been trained in firearms safety.

Office Locations & Contacts

New Zealand Police

Eligibility

To apply for a visitor's licence, you will need to show that you are a genuine shooter in your own country.

Fees

Visitors licence application fee: NZ$25.00 (including GST).

Validity

A visitors firearms licence will let you shoot for hunting or competition in New Zealand for up to a year.

If you are planning to stay in New Zealand for a period longer than 12 months you must apply for a standard firearms licence.

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Need for the Document

A firearm is anything from which any shot, bullet, missile or other projectile can be discharged by force of explosion. To be able to use a firearm unsupervised you must be a holder of a firearms licence. And if you are visiting New Zealand for less than a year and need a firearms licence, you will need to apply for a visitors licence.

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External Links

• New Zealand Police:

http://www.police.govt.nz/advice/firearms/visitors-firearms-licence-and-import-permits

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