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Although firearm law reforms were brought in with a bang in the wake of the 2019 Christchurch terror attack, the Arms Act 2026 has (some may say) more wide-ranging impacts on hunters.
In effect from September 23, new laws aren’t far off the mark, veteran local hunter John Tomlinson believes.
“What looks good from a hunter’s perspective, is a system that targets illegal firearms and repeat offenders, not one that adds paperwork for people already doing the right thing. The new Arms Act is an improvement, but I think there is still room for further reform. I don’t think the job is finished.”
However, hunters are unlikely to find the law to be too restrictive, he contends.
“I don’t think it will make it significantly harder for genuine hunters. Some of the changes should actually make things simpler and reduce unnecessary paperwork,” Tomlinson says. “So, I don’t see it having a major impact on hunter numbers. Hunting remains an important part of New Zealand culture, provides food for many families and plays an important role in animal management.”
New laws may not make it too much harder for criminals to obtain weapons, but transferring firearm regulation from police to a new, independent review committee should be beneficial.
“Most hunters support sensible firearms laws and want firearms kept out of criminal hands. The move to [have] an independent regulator makes sense. Police should be focused on crime, while a specialist agency looks after licensing and education,” Tomlinson says.
“No law will stop criminals getting firearms completely. Stronger penalties, better information sharing and tougher action against gangs are positive steps. The focus should stay on criminals and illegal firearms, rather than creating more hurdles for licence holders who follow the rules.”
Launched in 2023, the Firearms Registry is intended to reduce the risk of guns falling into the wrong hands, but risk versus cost to legitimate users is still a hot topic.
“A lot of firearm owners still have concerns about the registry. Criminals don’t register, so people question how much impact it has on reducing criminal gun use.”
While specialist pest controllers don’t come cheap, hunters pay to play a part in pest control, which helps protect native wildlife. Yet conservationists and hunters don’t share exactly the same aim with regards to management of introduced species.
“Hunters contribute thousands of hours every year managing deer, pigs, goats and other animals. Most hunters understand these animals need to be controlled where they are causing problems,” Tomlinson says.
“Many hunters don’t believe complete eradication is always the answer, or realistic. The goal should be healthy ecosystems, manageable impacts on neighbouring farms and sustainable animal populations. It doesn’t have to be a choice between unlimited deer numbers and wiping them out completely.”
Balance is the key, Tomlinson suggests.
“Good management sits somewhere in the middle, so balance is exactly what it comes down to. If we get it right, everyone benefits, the environment, farmers and the future of hunting.”
To read the complete act, visit legislation.govt.nz and search Arms Act 2026.
John Tomlinson is the South Auckland branch secretary of the NZDA (NZ Deerstalkers Association). However, opinions expressed in this article are his own and not necessarily shared by the association.
