Arms Officer in Canterbury

Arms Officer

• Christchurch
• Salary range: $70,030 to $73,154
• Permanent

About us

Firearms Safety and Education NZ is New Zealand’s Firearms Regulator. Our Vision is to ensure the possession and use of firearms in Aotearoa is the safest in the world.

To achieve this, Firearms Safety and Education NZ delivers four core functions: effectively implementing the firearms licensing systems; managing the Firearms Registry; educating people to enable compliance with their legislative responsibilities; and promoting the safe possession and lawful use of firearms.

We are committed to fostering a culture of safe and responsible firearms use, gun ownership and awareness by working collaboratively with the firearms community, our stakeholders, and fellow agencies.

About the role

Firearms Safety and Education NZ regulates the Arms Act 2026 to promote and control the safe possession and use of firearms and other weapons. We're modernising how we do this by introducing new ways to improve regulatory outcomes and service experiences.

As an Arms Officer working within the Canterbury District Arms Team, you will take every opportunity to prevent harm through the transparent, consistent, timely and efficient regulation of the Arms Act 2026 and Arms Regulations 2026, as well as fulfilling the administration and educational requirements involved in the promotion of regulatory compliance.

You will earn trust and confidence by working together in partnership with other policing groups, the firearms community, the wider New Zealand public, and other agencies and organisations to achieve collective impact.

Key Deliverables:

• Provide Arms Act and Arms Regulation compliance and best practice advice and guidance to members of the firearms community, public and internal customers.
• Perform in person vetting interviews, security and compliance inspections
• Assist with public facing counter including handling of firearms.
• Support and respond to front counter enquiries that relates to all firearm’s regulatory activities.
• Review all licence files returned by Vetter’s and approve applications for firearms licences and dealer licences when the applicant is found to be ‘fit and proper’. Where an applicant is not found to be ’fit and proper’ prepare the intention to refuse file for review by the Arms Supervisor and/or District Firearms Lead before final decision by a delegated decision maker.
• Validate and enter modifications, prohibitions and cancellations in the firearms system and issue permits to possess pistols and restricted weapons when appropriate.
• Inspect or cause to be inspected the records, registers and premises of pistol clubs, dealer premises and collector, prohibited and pistol endorsement holder residence or business to ensure they are meeting their obligations under the Arms Act and Arms Regulations.
• May be required to attend gun shows and auctions to ensure the correct transfer of firearms between licence and endorsement holders using the approved processes.

Special Requirements:

• Driver’s license – full
• Own car
• Office based plus field duties
• Computer-literate, must be proficient in digital office tools and capable of navigating multi-platform operating systems

Working at Firearms Safety and Education NZ

Come and join a team who are passionate about ensuring the possession and use of firearms in Aotearoa is the safest in the world.

We as the firearms regulator, collaborate closely with both the Ministry of Justice and NZ Police. The Ministry of Justice is responsible for policy advice and system oversight and NZ Police is responsible for law enforcement function.

Together we seek to continuously improve our approach across the firearms regulatory environment.

Whilst we are looking for skills, knowledge, and experience relevant to the role, we also place high importance on your state of mind, the alignment of your values with ours, your ability to contribute to and build high performing teams, and the way that you lead yourself or others.

If you want to contribute to keeping our communities safe and enjoy purposeful and meaningful work then come join our highly motivated team. Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand (FSE) is the new autonomous firearms regulator. It replaces Te Tari Pūreke – Firearms Safety Authority.

NZ Police is the host agency for FSE, which means NZ Police provides a range of corporate support including IT, finance, human resources and other shared services where operational responsibilities overlap. This is set out in an agreed Working Arrangement.

This role is Individual Contributor/Emerging Leader level. You can refer to Indicators for Success for further information on the requirements.

To view the position description for this role please copy and paste this link into a new browser:

https://www.firearmssafety.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2026-10/FSE%20-%20Arms%20Officer.pdf

To view more detailed information about our recruitment process along with further details about requirements please click below link:

Applicant Information Pack (External)

Salary

This position is covered by a collective agreement and salary will commence at $70,030 to $73,154 dependent on skills and experience relevant to the role.

If this position sounds like you, click apply now. You will be required to submit an application form and a CV. Before confirmation of hire, pre-employment checks will be undertaken.

For further information on the application process, please view the Applicant Information Pack linked above.

All applications must be submitted online and will not be accepted directly via email. All applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand.

If you are an internal applicant, you must apply internally through the Careers system.

If you have any questions about this vacancy, please contact Firearms.NationalRecruitment@firearmssafety.govt.nz

Please note: Deadline for applications is 5:00 pm Wednesday 21 October 2026. We encourage early applications, as this vacancy may close prior to the advertised closing date if a high volume of applications is received.