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Know your deadlines! How soon should you apply for a New Zealand visitor’s firearm license?
There has been some buzz lately about the New Zealand visitor’s firearm license, and their applicationdeadlines. If you navigate to the Visitors Firearms License and Import Permits page under the New Zealand Police official website, you can see the following:
This has created some confusion and panic for hunters because the one-month timeframe isn’tmentioned anywhere else on the face of the firearms section of the website. However, if you click on firearms license link to apply, the first line in the instructions now reads “1. Apply for a visitor firearms license at least one month before your visit.”
It seems this highlighted addition to the instructions may be recent, but the deadline has always been in place. According to a representative with the New Zealand Police, they are working to make the deadline appear more prominently on the website and application to avoid confusion.
So, what is the best way to apply? New Zealand Police strongly suggest you apply online via their website. All applications are now being routed to and processed by the Wellington office. This office
handles all aspects of the licensing including notifications to the applicant, updating their database, and notification to the appropriate airports. We’ve been told applications are being processed in 2-3 business days and find this to be true if the form has been filled out correctly and completely with all requested documents attached.
Hunters arriving with guns into New Zealand without a visitor firearm license are directed to the closest arms officer to apply in person. Licenses are issued at the discretion of the officer, and there is no guarantee a license will be granted when applying this way. The firearms are held by the Police until the visitor has acquired their license from the arms officer.
All things considered, we find the New Zealand permit to be straightforward if you follow the guidelines. Of course, support from a knowledgeable travel agent can relieve a lot of stress and save hours of research. So be sure to call Travel Express before you book your next international flight! Whether you’re flying with rifles for a hunting trip of a lifetime, or are planning your next R & R getaway, we’reexperienced and happy to help.
There has been some buzz lately about the New Zealand visitor’s firearm license, and their applicationdeadlines. If you navigate to the Visitors Firearms License and Import Permits page under the New Zealand Police official website, you can see the following:
This has created some confusion and panic for hunters because the one-month timeframe isn’tmentioned anywhere else on the face of the firearms section of the website. However, if you click on firearms license link to apply, the first line in the instructions now reads “1. Apply for a visitor firearms license at least one month before your visit.”
It seems this highlighted addition to the instructions may be recent, but the deadline has always been in place. According to a representative with the New Zealand Police, they are working to make the deadline appear more prominently on the website and application to avoid confusion.
So, what is the best way to apply? New Zealand Police strongly suggest you apply online via their website. All applications are now being routed to and processed by the Wellington office. This office
handles all aspects of the licensing including notifications to the applicant, updating their database, and notification to the appropriate airports. We’ve been told applications are being processed in 2-3 business days and find this to be true if the form has been filled out correctly and completely with all requested documents attached.
Hunters arriving with guns into New Zealand without a visitor firearm license are directed to the closest arms officer to apply in person. Licenses are issued at the discretion of the officer, and there is no guarantee a license will be granted when applying this way. The firearms are held by the Police until the visitor has acquired their license from the arms officer.
All things considered, we find the New Zealand permit to be straightforward if you follow the guidelines. Of course, support from a knowledgeable travel agent can relieve a lot of stress and save hours of research. So be sure to call Travel Express before you book your next international flight! Whether you’re flying with rifles for a hunting trip of a lifetime, or are planning your next R & R getaway, we’reexperienced and happy to help.
