Dear New Zealand Police / Firearms Safety Authority,

I am writing to request information regarding the framework and processes in place for addressing unlawful hunting, particularly incidents involving firearms. I would appreciate clarification on several key aspects of policy, training, and inter-agency cooperation related to the enforcement of laws concerning unlawful hunting and firearm use.

This request is made under the Official Information Act 1982. Please find below a series of questions aimed at gaining a comprehensive understanding of how unlawful hunting is managed within New Zealand, and how NZ Police and the Firearms Safety Authority respond to such incidents. Any insights or documentation you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your attention to this request. I look forward to your response.

1. Internal Policies or Operational Framework
Does NZ Police have an internal policy, operational procedure, or decision-making framework specifically addressing unlawful hunting, particularly where firearms are involved?
– If yes, please provide a copy of any such documents or an outline of the process.
– If no formal policy exists, how are such incidents typically handled or assessed by NZ Police?

2. Firearms Licensing and Behavioural Red Flags
Are incidents of unlawful hunting considered a behavioural red flag when assessing an individual's fitness to possess a firearms licence under the Arms Act 1983?
– If so, how is this reflected in operational guidelines or decision-making criteria?

3. Referral Process to the Firearms Safety Authority
Is there a formal referral process in place between NZ Police and the Firearms Safety Authority when unlawful hunting is identified?
– If yes, please provide details of how such referrals are documented and assessed.

4. Training and Guidance on Unlawful Hunting Enforcement
What training and internal guidance is provided to NZ Police or the Firearms Safety Authority for handling unlawful hunting or trespassing with firearms incidents?
– What legislation is covered in officer training (e.g., Wildlife Act 1953, Wild Animal Control Act 1977, Trespass Act 1980, Arms Act 1983)?
– Is this training universal or tailored to specific roles?
– Are there internal materials or procedures that guide staff in identifying and responding to unlawful hunting or firearm-related trespass, particularly in rural areas?
– How are staff instructed to apply this training in practice?

5. District-Level Responsibility for Investigations
Within each NZ Police district, is there a designated person, unit, or team responsible for overseeing investigations into unlawful hunting activities?
– If so, what is their role, and how are they selected or trained?
– How does NZ Police ensure that officers with relevant expertise (e.g., rural crime, firearms law, or wildlife legislation) are assigned to these investigations?
– If possible, please provide a list of responsible roles or units by district.

6. Public Reporting Through the 105 System
Given previous public awareness campaigns encouraging the reporting of unlawful hunting, has NZ Police considered adding a dedicated digital reporting category—such as “Unlawful Hunting/Poaching”—under the Make a Report section of the 105 platform?

7. Triage and Dispatch of Unlawful Hunting Reports
When a report of unlawful hunting is made via 111 or 105, is there a process to ensure it is allocated to officers or units with the appropriate expertise?
– How is this triaging process managed to ensure a consistent and informed response across districts?

8. Recording and Use of Non-Conviction Information
If an individual is identified as engaging in unlawful hunting but is not charged or convicted, is any information recorded that could be linked to their firearms licence?
– If so, how is this information recorded and accessed?
– Does it influence future assessments of the person’s suitability to possess or retain a firearms licence under the Arms Act 1983?
– Are there internal thresholds or guidelines for when a non-conviction incident becomes relevant to licensing decisions?

9. Data Sharing Between Agencies
Does NZ Police share information on unlawful hunting incidents with other agencies (e.g., DOC, local councils, MPI)?
– If so, how is this data shared and used?
– Are there formal agreements or Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) in place?
– Does this sharing include incidents that do not result in prosecution?
– How is sensitive data, such as personal information, handled and protected when shared between agencies?

10. Proactive Monitoring and Prevention Measures
Does NZ Police conduct proactive monitoring, intelligence gathering, or preventive operations to deter unlawful hunting with firearms?
– Are there regions or seasons (e.g., deer roar) where enforcement is heightened due to increased risk?
– What technologies (e.g., drones, surveillance cameras) or inter-agency partnerships are in place to support proactive enforcement?
– Would NZ Police be open to working with a third-party organisation that specialises in surveillance or intelligence gathering specifically for unlawful hunting activities?

11. Complaint Follow-Up and Victim Communication
What is the process for following up with members of the public who report unlawful hunting?
– Are complainants informed of the outcome or progress of their report?
– Is there a standard victim communication protocol in such cases, especially where firearms are involved?
– What is the official communication method used to update complainants on the status of their report?

12. Cultural and Community Engagement
Does NZ Police engage with rural communities, iwi, or hunting groups to raise awareness and prevent unlawful hunting?
– Are there community liaison roles or outreach programmes in place to improve communication and reporting in high-risk areas?
– Are there any initiatives or feedback mechanisms in place for rural communities to express concerns or suggestions about the enforcement of unlawful hunting?

13. Use of Technology by Offenders
Are there any trends or concerns regarding the use of modern technologies by individuals involved in unlawful hunting (e.g., trail cameras, thermal scopes, night vision, drones)?
– Has NZ Police observed any increase in tech-assisted offending?
– Are officers trained or equipped to detect and respond to these evolving methods?

Please note: This request is made by a New Zealand citizen, in accordance with Section 12 of the Official Information Act 1982.
Yours sincerely,
New Zealand citizen