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NZ Hunter Education Course: 

Module 2:

LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY

 

  • Arms Act 1983
  • NZ Mountain Safety Council
  • Firearms Safety Course

 

Firearms control laws address two basic issues – safety and security. The safe use of firearms in New Zealand is controlled by the Arms Act 1983 and regulations made under that Act. The following is information about the role the NZ Police and the NZ Mountain Safety Council play in this.  

 

Arms Act 1983

The New Zealand Police administer the Arms Act and issue licences and permits authorised by the Arms Act, through Police Arms Officers in each Police district.

 

There is a list of Arms Officers on the Police website:

www.police.govt.nz/service/firearms

 

Local Arms Officers provide information and assistance to do with owning or using a firearm. They also make bookings for firearms licence safety lectures and test for their area. Below are some areas covered by the Arms Act 1983.

 

 

Firearms Licences

 

  • Application for firearms licence

  • Issue of firearms licence

  • Duration of firearms licence

  • Production of firearms licence

  • Revocation and surrender of firearms licence

  • Domestic violence and firearms licences

  • Effect of revocation or surrender of firearms licence

  • Application for endorsements in respect of pistol or restricted weapon

  • Application for endorsement in respect of military style semi-automatic firearm

 

A ‘firearm’ is defined by The Arms Act 1983 as anything from which a shot, bullet, missile or other projectile can be discharged by force of explosive.

 

It includes anything that can be adapted so that it can discharge any shot, bullet, missile or other projectile by force of explosive.  

 

It also includes anything that for the time being is not capable of discharging any shot, bullet, missile or other projectile by force of explosive, but which by its completion or repair would be capable of doing so.

NZ hunter education
New Zealand Mountain Safety Council (MSC)

 

MSC is a national organisation established to encourage safe participation in land-based outdoor activities.

 

They facilitate the setting of standards, offer training, create and distribute resources, lead public awareness campaigns and foster positive support in the community so that more people can discover and enjoy New Zealand's outdoors safely. The Firearms Safety section of the Council is funded specially by the NZ Police and is the sole organisation authorised to deliver firearms safety training.

 

They have a great web site: www.mountainsafety.org.nz which contains important resources

for anyone wanting to experience our great outdoors in a safe and responsible way.

NZGAC Hunter Education
Firearms Safety Course

 

The Firearms Safety course is for members of the public who wish to learn about the safe use of firearms. The course is primarily for new firearms licence applicants who are required to undergo a course of firearms safety training and pass a theoretical test on firearms safety as per Regulation 14 of the Arms Regulations 1992. The course is delivered under a contract on behalf of the NZ Police. 

 

Course Includes: Participants will receive instruction on: 

 

  • The seven basic rules of firearms safety

  • Firearms law

  • How to operate multiple firearms actions

  • How to use firearms safely in the field

  • Firearms maintenance

  • Appropriate recreational use of firearms

 

PLEASE NOTE: To book your firearms safety test you must contact the Arms Officer at your local NZ Police station

New Zealand Game Animal Council

 

“Sustainable management of game animals and hunting for recreation, commerce and conservation”

 

The appointment of the Game Animal Council is a reflection of the changing times where game animals are now seen as a valued recreation resource and hunting a valued recreational sport. With increasing pressure on our outdoor resources, it was inevitable that hunting would become more ‘regulated’ and while some hunters were reluctant to accept the changes, they are a move in the right direction.

 

The Game Animal Council is a statutory body established on 28 November 2013 under the Game Animal Council Act 2013.

 

It represents the interests of the recreational hunting sector and will improve the management of hunting resources while contributing to positive conservation outcomes.

 
Sustainable management of game animals and hunting for recreation, commerce and conservation
Key functions of the council include:

 

  • Advising and making recommendations to the Minister of Conservation on hunting issues

  • Providing information and education to the sector

  • Promoting safety initiatives

  • Conducting game animal research

  • Undertaking management functions for designated herds of special interest.

 

The objectives are to:

 

  • Enhance the quality of game animal herds while remaining consistent with conservation values

  • Develop positive relationships between the Game Animal Council and stakeholders

  • Promote hunter safety

  • Reduce conflict among stakeholders

  • Improve the acceptance of hunting as a safe and legitimate activity

  • Promote standards for hunting and management of game animals

 

Game Animal Council website: http://nzgac.org.nz

Photo used by permission of Rob Suisted

www.naturespic.com

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