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.

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Originally Posted by ak888

The Firearms Safety Authority site has been largely confusing

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Welcome to NZ....

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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

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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 [emoji6]

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

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

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Originally Posted by ak888

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

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you are right - on the plus side the hunting opportunity's are endless - and we have a very healthy hunting fraternity

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Originally Posted by ak888

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

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Hello ak888, you have had some very good advice from members of this forum and you have reached the most logical conclusion.
I'm not in the pistol fraternity but @Bol Tackshin clearly is and has outlined the situation accurately and as was my understanding. The key words are, "Actively participating." In NZ you cannot simply buy a pistol and have it in your safe, you MUST attend club & competitions regularly. If you become "inactive" the pistol is taken away.

As a recent immigrant, getting any sort of Firearms Licence will take you the fat end of two years.

In the mean time you might be able to attend some clubs and use club firearms, under supervision.

In addition to pistol clubs, there are also indoor small bore shooting club, rifle clubs and the New Zealand Deer Stalkers Association. Once you buddy up with someone you might be able to hunt, "under supervision."

My final suggestion is, if you are a member of any gun clubs in USA, get some character references from those clubs. It might help break the ice in Christchurch.

Good luck.

Hugh Shields
Controlled Rabbit Culling
Wellington

great advice Hugh Shields

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Originally Posted by ak888

Seems to be more trouble than it's worth to be a handgun owner down there

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No not at all. In fact it is rather easy and a great deal of fun. There is only one proviso and that is that you have commitment to being engaged in the sport.

The big thing is owning a handgun here is way different. Harder, definitely.
Range work only and highly regulated license requirement wise.
If you wanted to carry it in the car for self defense (highly frowned upon on both counts), or take it out in the bush for a crack at something, that is also frowned upon.

To clarify, @Hugh Shields, I was interested and asked someone in the pistol community about it. Competing in a club shoot every month seemed a bit steep for my level of commitment, and I haven't pursued pistol shooting any further. It seems the policy by the powers that be to disincentivise shooting sports is working!

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Originally Posted by csmiffy

The big thing is owning a handgun here is way different. Harder, definitely.
Range work only and highly regulated license requirement wise.
If you wanted to carry it in the car for self defense (highly frowned upon on both counts), or take it out in the bush for a crack at something, that is also frowned upon.

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Or just join a gang and what you want with it.

From what I understand you’d need to be have a firearms license to have a gun here, let alone a pistol. That process will likely take 3 years from the time I arrive…I’ll let you know.
Also, moving your glock here will be the least of your problems, unless you or your partner are kiwis. Feel free to message me with questions. Cheers mate and best of luck.

Everyone who doesn't have a pistol License loves to talk about how hard it is to get a pistol License. The reality is provided you have your attendances the vetting procedure really isn't anything different than that for your a cat. You also don't "have to compete" but yes you need to shoot graded matches, for our club this can as simple as a 24rd course of fire on a Wednesday night or a full blown IPSC match. I couldn't say for for people moving here internationally but the it only takes about 3-6 months for a License to get processed from application to approval now down south

@Howa1500 - what I posted is from a dealer amd pistol shooter - his words were "compete" and when I pressed, it was formal competitions, not club night shoots. I was left with the distinct impression that getting a pistol licence was a significant undertaking, and quite expensive hobby to maintain.
From what you have said, it sounds like the guy is making it sound more difficult than it is. Why a dealer would do that is a mystery to me. It really put me off.

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Originally Posted by Bol Tackshin

@Howa1500 - what I posted is from a dealer amd pistol shooter - his words were "compete" and when I pressed, it was formal competitions, not club night shoots. I was left with the distinct impression that getting a pistol licence was a significant undertaking, and quite expensive hobby to maintain.
From what you have said, it sounds like the guy is making it sound more difficult than it is. Why a dealer would do that is a mystery to me. It really put me off.

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Feel free to flick me a pm mate if you ever want to ask questions, but I really don't think it's as difficult as people make it out to be

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Originally Posted by Howa1500

Everyone who doesn't have a pistol License loves to talk about how hard it is to get a pistol License. The reality is provided you have your attendances the vetting procedure really isn't anything different than that for your a cat. You also don't "have to compete" but yes you need to shoot graded matches, for our club this can as simple as a 24rd course of fire on a Wednesday night or a full blown IPSC match. I couldn't say for for people moving here internationally but the it only takes about 3-6 months for a License to get processed from application to approval now down south

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It was just over 2 months from application to approval for me. South island.
I had been told by many how long and difficult the process was, but it was an incredibly simple and quick process for me.
Maybe I was just lucky?