Thread: From NA to NZ

Originally Posted by gundoc

If you are going to make a second trip after you have got your endorsements and security organised, that would simplify things, however you would need to have your NZ Import Permit in your possesion before you left NZ on the second trip.

If you bring everything with you on the first trip after contacting the NZ Police with a list of the items, you will have to arrange storage of your guns with a suitably licenced person or dealer when you arrive. In any event, so long as you have gone through all the correct steps with the Police, there is no way that your guns will be confiscated. The Police and Customs are obliged to give you time to get all the licence details sorted. If, for some unforseeable reason, you are not permitted to keep some of your guns then the Police must allow them to be sold to some licensed person. If they decided to keep them (highly unlikely) they are then obliged to compensate you for them at the current NZ market value. Subject to having the correct endorsements, there is no restriction on the types of firearm you may own in NZ.

Very good to know.

Originally Posted by Jexla

From what I've read, no one has explained to you that getting a B endorsement requires you to already be a member of an NZ club and been to x amount of shoots over x amount of time.

In saying that, I sure as hell hope there's some sort of way around this (as long as you join a club when you get here) for people such as yourself moving to the country, especially when you have much the same rule where you currently are.

I would if I were you, make a phone call to a NZ arms officer and discuss ALL of these things with them on the phone, take your time and ask every question you could ever have, then come back to ask to clarify anything you may not be sure about.

Firearms offices and contact details | New Zealand Police

Thanks for the heads up Jexla! I'd seen that section for the B endorsement firearms, so was avoiding it for the time being. At least handguns are easier to ship, so if it takes some time to organize that it won't cost me a kidney to get them over here when the time comes.

Thank you as well for the firearms officer link - I had been looking but didn't see that there was a way to directly contact them.