Eight inaugural members have been appointed to New Zealand’s new Firearms Licensing Review Committee, aimed at giving licensed firearms owners an ‘independent avenue’ to challenge regulatory decisions without immediately resorting to the courts.
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee welcomed the appointments, saying the committee was an important component of the Arms Act 2026 and its objective of rebuilding confidence in firearms regulation.
“The new Arms Act is about restoring trust and confidence in firearms regulation for both licensed firearms owners and the wider public,” McKee said.
Under the previous system, disputed licensing decisions could initially be reviewed only within the organisation responsible for making the original decision. The new committee introduces independent scrutiny of decisions involving the refusal or revocation of firearms licences and the imposition of licence conditions.
McKee said firearms owners should be entitled to “fair, consistent, and well-reasoned decisions” and have a meaningful way of challenging them without being forced directly into “costly and time-consuming court proceedings”.
“The Review Committee provides that important check on regulatory power,” she said.
The committee will also examine decisions involving assessments of an individual’s conduct, behaviour or potential safety risk. McKee said such judgments must be supported by relevant evidence, applied consistently and be capable of surviving independent scrutiny.
Firearms owners who remain dissatisfied following a committee review will retain the right to appeal to the District Court.
Hamilton-based District Court Judge Robert Spear has been appointed inaugural chair. He has served as a District Court judge since 1995 and currently chairs the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority and Victims’ Special Claims Tribunal. He previously held a firearms licence and participated in recreational hunting.
The other members are Louise Christensen, Gordon Davis, Joe Green, Mike Keefe QSM, Melissa Jackson, Digby Livingston and Tracey Wakeford.
Collectively, the committee brings experience spanning law, policing, firearms regulation, hunting, firearms safety, psychology, local government and community programmes.
Several members are current or former firearms licence holders, while others have extensive involvement with organisations and programmes including the Firearms Safety Council, New Zealand Deerstalkers Association, Mountain Safety Council and Whakatūpato firearms safety programme.
McKee said the membership was deliberately selected to combine professional expertise with an understanding of firearms ownership in New Zealand.
“The Review Committee has been deliberately appointed with a breadth of experience that means it understands both the responsibilities that come with firearms ownership and the practical realities of New Zealand’s firearms community,” she said.
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith appointed the eight members for initial 18-month terms beginning on 31 August 2026.
