‹ Back to the World airgun law map
Airgun law · World
Are Airguns Legal in New Zealand?
Yes, with conditions.
Generally legal, but with real rules to follow, usually age verification and, in some places, a low-power threshold.
Tier 3: Moderate
Threshold-based licensing: a permit-free band for low-power airguns, with a licence required above it.
NZ
The picture at a glance
Each measure below scores how restrictive New Zealand is on that part of owning or transferring an airgun, from permissive (green) to firearm-level (red).
ClassificationUnclear
Age rule18+
PossessionLicence required
Transfer / saleVariable
TransportCased
AuthorityNational statute
The rules in detail
Classification
Unclear
Arms Act 2026 (replaced the Arms Act 1983 on 23 Sep 2026): 18+ may possess airguns; 16–17 must hold a firearms or visitor licence (s. 19). 'High-energy airguns' (all pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air rifles plus the Larc 19A/M19-AMP) count as firearms and need a firearms licence; full-auto airguns (other than airsoft/paintball) are restricted weapons.
Age rule
18+
18+ unsupervised; 16–17 firearms or visitor licence; under-18 use permitted under immediate supervision of an adult or licence holder (Arms Act 2026 ss. 19–20).
Possession
Licence required
PCP air rifles ('high-energy airguns'): firearms licence required. Most other consumer airguns (springers, CO2, BB, airsoft): no licence and no Firearms Registry entry, but police can require an unlicensed owner to surrender an airgun if they are not fit and proper (Arms Act 2026 s. 345). Carrying an airgun in a public place without lawful purpose is an offence (s. 257).
Transfer / sale
Variable
Through dealers.
Transport
Cased
Cased.
Authority
National statute
National statute.
Hunting with an airgun
Hunting tradition is well-developed; airguns used for small game.
Deer
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Turkey
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Small game
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Predators
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Other big game
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Import & travel
Local & import notes
Visitor procedure
Breach of airgun possession rule: fine up to NZ$1,000 (Arms Act 2026 s. 19(3)). No import permit is needed for standard airguns, but PCP (high-energy) airguns and restricted-appearance airguns need a permit to import, and a PCP needs a visitor firearms licence. The regulator is now Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand (from 23 Sep 2026).
Keep exploring
This is a plain-language summary compiled from primary statutes and official guidance. It isn't legal advice. Laws change and local rules vary, so verify the current rules with the relevant authority before buying, selling, or hunting.