Thanks for taking the time to reply guys! A couple more questions: full auto? magazine capacity limits? Also, how hard is it to get stuff there? Can you order reloading components easily? What about barrels and receivers?

I've been looking at pictures online and cruising around google earth... looks like a nice place!

The freedom we have in NZ is often taken for granted.

I can leave my front door unlocked at night or when I am away for a few hours and come home, not even notice it! Yes no casual burglars. Having said that, my house was burgled while on a weekend away with family in Wellington - a laptop & nice Caterpillar shoes were gone. Must have been youngsters who entered though an open ventilator above a window.

My wife's gold & Burmese ruby jewelry was opened up (box lock was cut with tin snips) but nothing missing as they probably thought it was junk imitation stuff.

I can park my car anywhere and not lock it and expect it to be there when I get back within a few hours. Not advisable if it has a laptop or a hand bag visible.

I can hunt deer, goats etc. throughout the year on govt land and private land with permission.

I can see a cop on the road or driving behind me and not worry about being harassed or treated unfairly. Our cops are extremely polite, fair and MOST helpful. Really proud of them. The few times I have interacted with cops here has been a real pleasure and they have shown outstanding professionalism and empathy. They actually CARE!

I could go on and on - Just come here for say 4 weeks and you would not want to leave!

Full auto makes it E category and probably needs a special license. May not even be allowed.

Honestly I do not see a need or a justification for full auto. I do not own even a semi .22 rifle or shotgun.

Reloading components are easily available. Google and you will find stores like Reloader supplies, Outdoor supplies etc - https://www.google.co.nz/searc...d+reloading+supplies

Check this - http://www.trademe.co.nz/sport...ting-shooting/rifles

Also possible to import from overseas. No restrictions on most stuff except probably live ammo & powder / primers. I have imported stocks, dies, cases, bullets, rings, scopes, fore / rear sights, magazine followers etc. Paid some 15% GST for an expensive scope & a bunch of bullets once.

Easy to get a firearm import permit. Just walk into a police station and show them your license and give them the details with serial no of the gun. Walk out in 20 minutes. When you bring the gun into the country, you pay GST 15% to customs and go home!

No permit required to take the gun out of the country but make sure you have a re-import permit if you want to bring it back!

Overall cost of gun related stuff is high. Be prepared to pay 30% to 100% more than the US for most stuff. Barrels & receivers are expensive and time consuming to get hold of but guys do a fair amount of custom modifications.

Come and visit for a few weeks - best time is Dec to April. August is also great - winter is finishing but less rain though you can get snow and sun!

quote:

Originally posted by jpl:
Thanks for taking the time to reply guys! A couple more questions: full auto? magazine capacity limits? Also, how hard is it to get stuff there? Can you order reloading components easily? What about barrels and receivers?

I've been looking at pictures online and cruising around google earth... looks like a nice place!

quote:

Originally posted by Nakihunter:
Full auto makes it E category and probably needs a special license. May not even be allowed.

Honestly I do not see a need or a justification for full auto. I do not own even a semi .22 rifle or shotgun.

Reloading components are easily available. Google and you will find stores like Reloader supplies, Outdoor supplies etc - https://www.google.co.nz/searc...d+reloading+supplies

Check this - http://www.trademe.co.nz/sport...ting-shooting/rifles

Also possible to import from overseas. No restrictions on most stuff except probably live ammo & powder / primers. I have imported stocks, dies, cases, bullets, rings, scopes, fore / rear sights, magazine followers etc. Paid some 15% GST for an expensive scope & a bunch of bullets once.

Easy to get a firearm import permit. Just walk into a police station and show them your license and give them the details with serial no of the gun. Walk out in 20 minutes. When you bring the gun into the country, you pay GST 15% to customs and go home!

No permit required to take the gun out of the country but make sure you have a re-import permit if you want to bring it back!

Overall cost of gun related stuff is high. Be prepared to pay 30% to 100% more than the US for most stuff. Barrels & receivers are expensive and time consuming to get hold of but guys do a fair amount of custom modifications.

Come and visit for a few weeks - best time is Dec to April. August is also great - winter is finishing but less rain though you can get snow and sun!

quote:

Originally posted by jpl:
Thanks for taking the time to reply guys! A couple more questions: full auto? magazine capacity limits? Also, how hard is it to get stuff there? Can you order reloading components easily? What about barrels and receivers?

I've been looking at pictures online and cruising around google earth... looks like a nice place!

Actually full auto makes it C can and it cannot be used on kept as part of a collection.

Semi auto would be E

quote:

Originally posted by Nakihunter:
Honestly I do not see a need or a justification for _____.

I honestly hope this attitude is not representative of your country or its government.

I think its fair to say it is. We are not allowed full autos, except if you are a collector, and i think they are only allowed to be shot on military ranges. I would hazard that the majority of kiwi firearms users, myself included see no use for them and do not care that we can not take one hunting. In fact I would suggest that by and large the guy who walks into the bush with an AR or AK or other semi auto military style rifle is looked down on to some extent.

quote:

Originally posted by shankspony:
I think its fair to say it is. We are not allowed full autos, except if you are a collector, and i think they are only allowed to be shot on military ranges. I would hazard that the majority of kiwi firearms users, myself included see no use for them and do not care that we can not take one hunting. In fact I would suggest that by and large the guy who walks into the bush with an AR or AK or other semi auto military style rifle is looked down on to some extent.

I agree with shanks here. Back in the days where it was legal to own and use military style semi autos for hunting in NZ I handled, repaired, modified, fitted scopes, and tried out most all that came onto our market. I never shot animals with any but many hunting acquaintances did and most were clunky to carry, not so accurate and in the smaller cartridges were not effectual on our game even in the hands of experience hunters who had great success with their standard 270's, 308's, 7mm's. The most effectual use of certain makes of the military style semi auto rifle was from the culling or meat recovery helicopters.

Fully auto weapons, handguns and machine pistols have always been restricted to collector ownership in NZ and are illegal for hunting, in fact are illegal to fire full stop. Military style semi autos and handguns can be owned by those who gain an endorsement to their firearms licence, E and B respectively, but these weapons can only be used on authorised ranges, are subject to greater security and in the case of handguns, membership of a club providing the range and event is compulsory. Cease membership of the club you lose your endorsement for handguns and the right to own or use.

The fact that here in NZ we have a right to have a firearms licence, provided we are a fit and proper person, and can travel the length and breadth of our country hunting for free on public land at any time of year with no seasons and no restrictions on the number or sex of animals that can be shot, is better than any other place in the world that I know of, and may it always be that way. No one needs military style rifles or handguns for hunting here. Introduce these and we would see our current freedoms curtailed as has happen in most other countries of the world.