It has come to Police’s attention that there has been confusion recently around whether there has been a change to firearms licences for people visiting New Zealand. There has been no change to this process for years.

When visitors come to New Zealand they are required to apply for a firearms licence one month before they arrive. If a visitor arrives in New Zealand without a visitor firearms licence they are directed to the closest arms officer for an in-person application. It is then up to the arms officer to decide if a visitor licence is issued. If the visitor arrives at an airport without a licence and in possession of firearms, the firearms will be held by Police until the visitor has been to see the local arms officer.

In an effort to ensure the one month requirement is more obvious to visitors applying for a firearms licence, Police has updated the online application form to highlight this obligation.