Thread: Moving to NZ from US

Hey all,
This forum seems to be one of the only places I could find that talks about this kind of stuff in NZ, so I figured maybe some of you can help me.
I'm planning on moving permanently to NZ in 2025 and would like to bring my Glock G40 with me. The Firearms Safety Authority site has been largely confusing for me in trying to understand the best way forward to do this.
As far as I understand, I have to be a member of a pistol club to possess a pistol for any reason. I would then also need a permit to import, meaning it would have to sit in storage for a few months to a year until the paperwork is squared away. The site says to also "provide a special reason why the item should be allowed into New Zealand" which I'm not sure I could do beyond it's in my possession and I like shooting it...
Would appreciate anybody knowledgeable chiming in on this process
Thanks

it is going to take way longer than a year I'd say.

Originally Posted by ak888

The Firearms Safety Authority site has been largely confusing

Welcome to NZ....

Originally Posted by ak888

Hey all,
This forum seems to be one of the only places I could find that talks about this kind of stuff in NZ, so I figured maybe some of you can help me.
I'm planning on moving permanently to NZ in 2025 and would like to bring my Glock G40 with me. The Firearms Safety Authority site has been largely confusing for me in trying to understand the best way forward to do this.
As far as I understand, I have to be a member of a pistol club to possess a pistol for any reason. I would then also need a permit to import, meaning it would have to sit in storage for a few months to a year until the paperwork is squared away. The site says to also "provide a special reason why the item should be allowed into New Zealand" which I'm not sure I could do beyond it's in my possession and I like shooting it...
Would appreciate anybody knowledgeable chiming in on this process
Thanks

remember that even if you do manage to get your glock here by joining a pistol club etc you can only shoot it at the pistol club and can only carry it from your house to the club and back thats it

honestly mate probably going to be more drama than its worth importing it. theres a few glock 20's around if you wanted to pick up a 10mm glock over here... where are you planning on moving too? i shoot pistols down south if you wanted to flick me a message...

No where near worth all the hassle for that pistol.
Honestly just sell the Glock and buy something here later if you decide to go through the pistol licence endorsement process.
It's not hard to source or buy pistols here once licenced.

I took my rifle from NZ to Australia and it was a minor drama back then. Unless you have a sentimental attachment to it I'd advise to buy something here once you've settled, that way you can get your storage and club membership sorted out.

The short answer is, you won’t be able to bring the pistol with you because it will take some time (years) before you can obtain a NZ firearms license and the endorsement required to possess it once you arrive.
You may be able to export it to NZ as a sale to a other person, who will then be the ‘importer’ and then purchase the pistol from that person some time in the future. As already mentioned, the costs and administration involved doing it this way far outweighs the value of the firearm.
Sell it, and buy new pistols when you are legally able when you reside here.

Welcome to the forum. As others have asked, where in this country will you be settling? Once that is known then some of us that have a B endorsement may be able to direct you to a club in the area through which you can make inquiries as to future membership and members that might be able to help you. As others have mentioned, unless you have a sentimental attachment to you Glock, it would be far easier to purchase a pistol once you are in country.

Should you choose to import the Glock you have then the special reason is “for competitive pistol shooting”.

Welcome to the forum, @ak888.

I recently queried how to get a pistol licence, which you need to own a pistol in NZ. The long and short of it is, join a pistol club and compete (not participate) 12 times a year, for at least a year before you become eligible to apply for a firearm licence with pistol endorsement. You'll also need to make friends with people who can act as referees and impress them with your character, or you won't get any category firearm licence. You'll also need a secure, approved safe to store a pistol and any other firearms, although the pistol storage specification is more stringent.

For a Glock, you'd need a really good reason to not sell it and buy locally when you are in a position to do so legally.

and not to mention wait till you see the cost of living in nz!

@Joe Schmo knows all about moving from the us to nz.....maybe he can offer some advice

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Realistically, Sell it as you’ve got a snowballs chance in hell of getting it here.

Sell it, use the $$$ to buy what you want here..cost you more than Pistol is worth just to get it out of the US. Get a quote from a couple of FFL dealers. And that's before you contemplate NZ regs

I'm planning on moving to South Island, but based on the replies so far I think the best course of action will be to sell it and get an A category rifle instead. Seems to be more trouble than it's worth to be a handgun owner down there