Mortar bomb among almost 4000kg of ammunition handed in during gun buyback scheme

As well as handing in guns and ammunition, New Zealanders also handed in a variety of other things. Photo / 123RF

By Jonathan Mitchell of RNZ

Documents released to RNZ under the Official Information Act revealed details of the ammunition part of the scheme, which came into effect after the Christchurch mosque shootings last year.

An unsuccessful attempt was made in the High Court by the Council of Licensed Firearms Owners for a judicial review of the call not to compensate owners for now banned types of ammunition.

The documents from Police Minister Stuart Nash reveal the Government had no clue about how much ammunition was in the public domain.

"The amount is not known. The Arms Act 1983 does not require import permits for ammunition. A firearms licence is not required to import ammunition.

"As no compensation was available for ammunition, no system was set up to record the types of ammunition or other munitions handed in," the OIA response said.

As well as handing in guns and ammunition, the OIA response said New Zealanders also handed in a variety of other things.

"People also took the opportunity to hand in a range of other items, including components of ammunition, smoke grenades, a mortar bomb, fireworks and the like."

As at 11 November 2019, the OIA said 3725.15kg of small arms ammunition had been collected.

The amnesty was completed in December.