This page is about a bill. That means that it's not the law yet, but some people want it to be the law. It could change quickly, and some of the information is just a draft.

Arms Bill

Further offences and firearms prohibition orders - Offences relating to carrying, possessing, or presenting arms items

250: Unlawfully carrying or possessing explosive

You could also call this:

"Having explosives without a good reason is against the law"

If you carry or possess explosives without a good reason, you may commit an offence. You could be carrying explosives or have them with you. The proposed law says this is against the rules. If you break this rule, you might go to prison for up to 5 years or get a fine of up to $15,000. The court will decide what happens to you if you are found guilty. You will have to prove you had a good reason for carrying or possessing the explosives. If someone says you were carrying or had explosives, you will have to show you had a lawful purpose. This means you must prove you had a valid reason for having the explosives. The court will look at what you say to decide if you are guilty or not.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1533989.

This page was last updated on 8 December 2025 — View changes

Topics:

Crime and justice > Police and safetyCrime and justice > Criminal law

249: Person in possession of arms item or ammunition must give identifying information to Police, or

"Tell Police your details if they ask, if you have a gun or ammo"

251: Unlawfully carrying or possessing imitation firearms, or

"Carrying a fake gun without a good reason is against the law"

Part 6Further offences and firearms prohibition orders
Offences relating to carrying, possessing, or presenting arms items

250Unlawfully carrying or possessing explosive

A person commits an offence if the person, without having a lawful, proper, or sufficient purpose,—
carries any explosive; or
possesses any explosive.

A person who commits an offence against subsection (1) is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to a fine not exceeding $15,000.
In any prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) in which it is proved that the defendant was carrying, or in possession of, any explosive, the burden of proving the existence of a lawful, proper, and sufficient purpose lies on the defendant.