Arms Officer - HYBRID

• Location – Tauranga
• Salary from $70,030.00
• Permanent, Police Employee

About us

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.

The organization will transition to the new entity Firearms Safety and Education NZ (FSE) on September 23rd 2026 becoming operationally separate from Police, it will provide licensing and other regulatory services having its own CEO reporting to the Minister Responsible for Firearms.

To achieve this, FSE 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

As an Arms Officer working within the Bay of Plenty 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 Ministry of Justice, the firearms community, the wider New Zealand public, and other agencies and organizations 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.
• Support and respond to front-counter enquiries that relates to all Firearms regulatory activities.
• Manage and keep current inventories in the area’s armories and other relevant storage locations
• Review all license files returned by Vetter’s and approve applications for firearms licenses and dealer licenses 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.
• 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 collectors, prohibited and pistol endorsement holder residence or business to ensure they are meeting their obligations under the Arms Act and Arms Regulations.
• You will be required to perform vetting interviews and at times complete various aspects of the vetting process.
• May be required to attend gun shows and auctions to ensure the correct transfer of firearms between license and endorsement holders using the approved processes.

What you’ll bring

Being part of the Police whānau is about being our best to ensure our communities are safe and feel safe. Our Core Competencies provide a shared understanding of the behaviors, leadership and technical competence required for success at each level of Police. 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.

We’re looking for people with the ability to develop a sound knowledge of the Arms Act in order to provide the highest level of satisfaction to the firearms community. You will need to have Microsoft Office competencies. While training will be provided, prior firearms knowledge and handling experience would be advantageous. Eperience with office systems, processes office equipment and general computer interface is required.

A working knowledge or interest in firearms would be an advantage, however detailed handling and training will be provided.

Working at Firearms Safety Authority, (becoming Firearms Safety and Education 23 /9/26)

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 firearm’s 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 team

Working Flexibly

Your wellbeing inside and outside of work is important to us. We’re open to discussing flexible working options that work for both you and the business, however it must noted this is primarily an in station role supporting station functions and interaction with the public.

For more information on the above, please copy and paste this URL: https://www.police.govt.nz/careers

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: https://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/pd/08-2025/arms_officer_te_tari_pureke.pdf

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

Applicant Information Pack (External)

Apply Now

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: https://www.police.govt.nz/careers

Salary

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 Wednesday 23rd September 2026.

We encourage early applications, as this vacancy may close prior to the advertised closing date if a high volume of applications is received.