28/05/2026
A big thanks from the Hutt Valley Branch of the NZDA to Nicole McKee MP for the hard work she continues to put into fi****ms reform and for backing licensed firearm owners around New Zealand.
There’s still plenty of work ahead, but avoiding huge licence fee increases and pushing for a more practical and fair system is appreciated by a lot of ordinary Kiwi hunters, shooters, farmers, and volunteers.
Our branch is made up of everyday people who give up their time week in, week out running ranges, teaching new hunters, helping with conservation work, and keeping these traditions alive for the next generation. It means a lot to have people in Government who are prepared to listen to that side of the story too.
Thanks Nicole for the support and for continuing to front up on these issues.
COLFO
Today the Government released its 2026 Budget, and it delivers for licenced firearm owners.
As the Minister responsible for fi****ms law reform, I’m putting in the work to deliver fair and practical rules that respect licence holders. But without the funding to implement it, the cost of doing so would have fallen on LFOs.
Thanks to the Government's disciplined focus on cutting waste, Budget 2026 has been able to invest where it matters. This includes $44.9 million to implement the new Arms Act and establish Fi****ms Safety and Education New Zealand – the new independent fi****ms regulator.
Without this funding, the fi****ms system was facing a major shortfall. That could have meant fi****ms licence fees increasing to up to six and a half times their current level.
That would have been unmanageable for many licenced firearm owners. With ACT in Government, that’s not happening.
For years, licenced firearm owners have been targeted, blamed, and vilified. Rushed firearm law changes under the Labour-NZ First Government in 2019 treated you as the problem, while criminals and gangs continued to ignore the law.
After everything LFOs have been through, hiking fees before the benefits of the new system have even been delivered would have compounded years of unfair treatment.
ACT said we would stand up for licenced firearm owners and we are delivering.
This Budget funding means fi****ms licensing fees will not need to increase for at least two years.
A well-functioning fi****ms system benefits the whole country. It supports public safety, pest control, conservation, hunting, sport shooting, and rural communities.
This funding will help deliver the reforms we have fought for.
In addition, ACT continues to oppose the costly, bureaucratic fi****ms registry. We have been clear from the start that it creates privacy and security risks for LFOs, while doing nothing to stop criminals who do not register fi****ms in the first place.
We have not won every argument. That is the reality of coalition government. But we are making real, practical progress for fi****ms owners after years of being ignored.
The Bill is progressing, the reforms are funded, service will be improved, and there are no fee hikes for licensing or renewals.
Step by step, we are replacing the broken old system with one that is fair, practical, and built to last.
