Arms Officer in Canterbury

Te Tari Pūreke – Firearms Safety Authority 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, Te Tari Pūreke 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.

Te Tari Pūreke | Firearms Safety Authority regulates the Arms Act 1983 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 1983 and Arms Regulations 1992, 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.
• Assist with public facing counter including handling of firearms.
• Support and respond to front counter enquiries that relate 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 commissioned officer.
• 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:

• Must be a self-starter, work with minimal supervision and have excellent time management skills.
• Proven capability in conducting high-quality interviews and producing clear, accurate reports is a non-negotiable requirement for this role.
• Must be proficient in the use of an iPhone, a laptop and Microsoft Office 365 software including Outlook.
• Ability to understand and interpret firearms legislation and regulations.
• Ability to pass Police background checks.
• A full driver licence and reliable transport are essential as you may be required to use your personal vehicle for work purposes, reimbursement based on IRD rates.
• Experience with firearms is desirable.
• Previous experience working in a regulatory environment is desirable but not essential.
• Office based plus field duties.

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. While we do look 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 leadership team.

This role is set at Individual Contributor level/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: Position Description

To view more detailed information about our recruitment process along with further details about requirements please click below link: Applicant Information Pack (External)

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 copy and paste this URL: Application Process

This position is covered by a collective agreement and salary will commence at $70,030.00. 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 police system.

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

Please note: Deadline for applications is 5:00 pm Monday 27th July 2026. We encourage early applications, as this vacancy may close prior to the advertised closing date if a high volume of applications is received.