“2

• In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires,—

  “the Act means the Arms Act 1983

  “Armoury contractor means a person who, under a contract with the Chief of Defence Force, is administering 1 or more defence armouries

  “Defence area has the meaning given to that term by section 2(1) of the Defence Act 1990

  “Defence armoury means an armoury of the New Zealand Defence Force.”

“31A Armoury contractors may handle weapons in certain cases

• “(1) If an armoury contractor is administering a defence armoury in a defence area, the armoury contractor and the armoury contractor's employees, while in that defence area, may carry or possess firearms, airguns, pistols, restricted weapons, ammunition, or explosives belonging to the Crown if the contract under which the armoury contractor is administering that defence armoury complies with subclause (2).

  “(2) The contract must provide for—

  • “(a) Adequate security of the defence armoury to ensure that firearms, airguns, pistols, restricted weapons, ammunition, or explosives are stored securely and accounted for at all times; and

  • “(b) The Chief of Defence Force to monitor the performance of the armoury contractor in administering the defence armoury.

“31B Chief of Defence Force to notify Commissioner of irregularities

• If an armoury contractor is administering a defence armoury, the Chief of Defence Force must notify the Commissioner immediately after the Chief of Defence Force becomes aware that any firearm, airgun, pistol, restricted weapon, ammunition, or explosive is lost from or is unaccounted for at that defence armoury.

“31C Defence Force Orders not affected

• These regulations do not limit or affect any Defence Force Order issued under section 27 of the Defence Act 1990.”