Bona fide collector: Conditions

Find out about your obligations if you have an endorsement in your capacity as a bona fide collector of firearms.

Ammunition

You must not use the collection items with ammunition (either live or blank).

Firearms must be made inoperable

If you have a pistol, restricted weapon and prohibited firearm as a bona fide collector, you must:

make it inoperable by removing a vital part of the action so that the firearm cannot fire a round – see more about vital parts below.
keep it in an inoperable condition.

Secure storage

You must meet the secure storage requirements of Regulation 28 of the Arms Regulations.

Arms Regulations 1992, regulation 28, Security precautions in relation to pistols, prohibited firearms, prohibited magazines, and restricted weapons | New Zealand Legislation website

For guidance on how to comply, download the Secure Storage and Transportation Guide for Firearms and Ammunition. Section 4 of the guide is about security for endorsed firearms.

Storage and transportation of firearms and ammunition

Vital parts – prohibited arms items

You must store the vital part at an address different from where you store the firearm.

The different address may be:

your own place of work
your own alternative address
the address of someone who does not have a firearms licence
the address of someone who does have a firearms licence – but they must not have a prohibited firearm that fits the vital part they store for you.

The address and the storage used for the vital part must be approved by Police.

Vital parts – pistols and restricted weapons

You must remove the vital part of any restricted weapon, including fully automatic and select-fire pistols. Police recommend that you remove the vital part of other types of pistols in your collection.

You may store the vital part at your address.

The vital part must be kept:

separate from the firearm
in secure storage that meets the requirements of the Arms Regulations 1992.

Where you can take endorsed items

The items must remain at your house and can only be carried to other locations specified in the conditions of your endorsement.

You must contact Te Tari Pūreke if you want to carry the items to a location not listed in the conditions of your endorsement.

Inspections

If you have an endorsement, you must allow a member of New Zealand Police (usually someone from Te Tari Pūreke) to:

enter the premises where the items are stored for an inspection at a reasonable time
inspect the items and where they are kept on the premises.

The person making the inspection must:

show identification that confirms they are a member of New Zealand Police or Te Tari Pūreke (if they are not in uniform and they are requested to do so)
say they are making the inspection under the Arms Act 1983.

Other conditions

Police may impose any other conditions on your endorsement, including the use and custody of any endorsed item.