In a stunning display of hypocrisy, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee, who also oversees firearms policy, has admitted she hasn’t registered her own firearms on New Zealand’s Firearms Registry, despite the legal requirement for all licensed firearms owners to do so.
This isn’t just a minor oversight; it’s a slap in the face to the rule of law and public safety. As someone tasked with upholding justice and shaping firearms policy, McKee’s failure to comply with the Arms Act 1983, as amended in 2020, raises serious questions about her suitability for her role and the government’s commitment to accountability.
The Arms Act mandates that all firearms owned by licensed holders must be registered with the Firearms Registry by 2028, with the process already underway since June 2023. Section 94 of the Act clearly requires licence holders to provide details of their firearms to ensure traceability and prevent illegal use. However, McKee, a gun lobbyist with deep ties to the Council of Licensed Firearms Owners (Colfo), has placed herself above the law she’s meant to enforce. Her excuse that she has until 2028 reeks of privilege and undermines the leadership expected of a minister.
In September, RNZ reported:
Cabinet has agreed - but not yet finalised - a law change that would give Nicole McKee the power to propose what guns should or should not be prohibited.
McKee, a former gun lobbyist, said the change was administrative, though she would not rule out trying to liberalise access to high-powered semi-automatics.
The Firearms Registry was introduced after the Christchurch mosque killings to enhance public safety by tracking firearms and ensuring accountability. If McKee can flout this requirement while bringing back the very same semi-automatics that inflicted so much carnage, without consequence, what message does that send to ordinary New Zealanders?
The Police Association has already raised concerns about McKee’s exclusion of police from firearms reform consultations, which along with her rushed review process, suggests a troubling pattern of prioritizing pro-gun interests over public safety. Police Minister Mark Mitchell’s unwavering support for police oversight contrasts sharply with McKee’s apparent disdain for it, creating a dangerous rift in the coalition government’s approach.
#BHN Nicole McKee is adorable that she is so grumpy about the gun registry review not going the way she wanted it to...it's almost like she set it up to give her a response she wanted...rather than the actual findings #nzpol pic.twitter.com/IMYPPDpHC9
— Pat Brittenden (@patbrittenden) May 13, 2025
McKee’s background as a pro-gun lobbyist is the crux of the issue. Her appointment as Associate Justice Minister and Minister for Courts is a clear conflict of interest. Her history with Colfo and her firearms safety business raises doubts about her impartiality, as evidenced by her push to ease regulations for gun clubs and ranges, often at the expense of police oversight.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s insistence that McKee hasn’t breached Cabinet rules does little to quell public distrust when her actions, like comparing gun registries to toaster registries, trivialise serious safety measures. This isn’t just about one minister’s negligence; it’s about a government allowing a pro-gun advocate to steer justice policy while ignoring legal and social obligations.
McKee’s refusal to register her firearms isn’t just a personal failing...it’s a betrayal of public trust and a mockery of the laws designed to keep us safe. Luxon must reconsider whether a minister so entangled with gun lobby interests, who has ignored due process, can credibly serve the interests of the public. If he had a backbone or any common sense, Nicole McKee would be stood down. Anything less will mean a government minister continues to erode the integrity of our justice system.
