Can a person own firearms in New Zealand? (live, safety)

[msta999]

I read an article, that made is sound like you can't own firearms in NZ. Is this true? If there are limits on the kinds of weapons you can own, is there a list somewhere? I like to hunt, target practice and do some sport shooting. Are these practices allowed?

[wanneroo]

Yes you can own firearms

[Spindle]

I know they're more liberal than in Australia, but I would suggest reading here Firearm Safety and Licences - New Zealand Police

[msta999]

Thanks for the info. It says I would have to show some kind of "Evidence you have a firearms licence (or equivalent) in your own country." I never had a firearms license here in the US. I'll have to look into it and see if there is something NZ will recognize.

Thanks again.

[dave nz]

NZ is great for hunting too msta999. Wherever you live here you are not far from spots to hunt. My experience includes : wild pigs, rabbits, goats. Yet to go deer hunting but in season there are plenty, thats next on my list.

[msta999]

Is there a lot of public lands to hunt on? or do you have to get permission from land owners? Here, I go deer hunting every fall on State or Federal land. I use to do a lot of duck/goose hunting when I lived in the midwest, there I knew the land owners, and hunted on their lands.

[dave nz]

Both, I've been on private property with permission and there is plenty of public places to hunt as well.

[msta999]

Thats great to know. Does it matter which island your on?

[ServalCat]

Depends. There are plenty of hunting grounds on the north and south islands, but luckily a lot of NZ's small islands are protected, as is a lot of the Stewart Island.