The Government is repealing and replacing the Arms Act 1983 through the Arms Bill.

The Justice Committee is currently seeking feedback on the Arms Bill. Submissions closed 11.59pm, Monday, 16 February 2026.

The Arms Act is the legislation at the heart of New Zealand’s firearms laws. Firearms are an essential tool that enables hunters, those undertaking game animal management, farming, food gathering and pest control to effectively manage animals, protect livelihoods, and support conservation outcomes.

This legislative reform will set the framework for how hunters own and use firearms for decades to come.

Submission guidance

The Arms Bill is available here

Where to submit

Make your submission on the Parliament website here

  • Click ‘I am ready to make my submission’ button at bottom of the page.
  • You will be asked whether you are submitting as an individual or on behalf of an organisation and whether you would want to provide an oral submission to the Select Committee (present in person or online to a panel of MPs).
  • You can then upload your submission via the button on the following page.

Submission advice

The Arms Bill is a wide-reaching, detailed piece of legislation. It is 232 pages long and includes technical aspects of firearms licensing, supply, compliance and enforcement. It is important that the Select Committee hears from hunters. However, it is understandable that many hunters will not have the time to engage with the Bill in detail.

We have therefore provided a submission framework to allow you to express your concerns with the current system and what you would like to see changed. If you don’t want to answer all the questions in the document, that’s fine. Just pick the questions most appropriate to you. What is important is that you submit and have your say.

While this approach does not address the specific clauses in the Bill, it does provide MPs on the Select Committee with a very valuable understanding of the key issues for you, as a hunter.

Download the submission framework here

Proposed changes

There are a number of areas where significant changes are proposed, including:

  • Storage flexibility.
  • A new ‘red flag’ system.
  • Updated penalties and new offences.
  • Endorsement extensions for pest controllers.
  • A new firearms regulator separated from Police.

A number of these represent very meaningful changes for hunters and others who participate in the safe and lawful recreational or professional use of firearms.

Previous GAC updates

Page last updated 17 February 2026