![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/4K5VCX0_firearms_seizure_southern_2_jpg.jpeg\")
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\nA cache of firearms seized from a property in Gore in 2025.
\nPhoto: Supplied \/ NZ Police\n<\/p>\n
An IT project behind the overhaul of firearms regulations<\/a> has been put on hold, due to uncertainty over what is needed.<\/p>\n A Treasury report from last September, released this week, rated the ‘Arms Transformation’ project as red.<\/p>\n It suggested the police minister intervene to “resolve major issues”.<\/p>\n “Yes, it has been rated red, however nothing has gone wrong,” police told RNZ on Friday.<\/p>\n Usually a red rating in a quarterly investment report meant real doubt a project could be delivered.<\/p>\n In this case a so-called ‘Gateway’ review<\/a> was done and found “there was uncertainty about the ICT and system requirements that would be required should a new regulator be created”.<\/p>\n Setting up a new regulator depended on a bill still before Parliament.<\/p>\n “The work has been paused, while the legislative process is ongoing,” Firearms Safety Authority business transformation director Richard Wilson said.<\/p>\n He said the Arms Transformation Programme had gone well since it began and was previously rated green\/amber.<\/p>\n A digital registry<\/a> of firearms was built on budget in 2023 and this was being expanded. A review<\/a> last year found the registry should achieve public safety objectives, once it was fully embedded.<\/p>\n The authority was working with Treasury and the Ministry of Justice on it, Wilson said.<\/p>\n