Media Release
30 April 2000
POLICE HQ RELEASED CONFIDENTIAL FIREARMS INFORMATION
Police National Headquarters released confidential details of registered firearms owners to an outside company for
relicencing checks, the New Zealand First Law and Order spokesperson, Ron Mark, revealed today.
Last week Mr Mark claimed that registered firearms owners and collectors are being targeted by criminals who appeared to
have access to firearms information that should be confidential only to Police.
“We have now learned that Police Headquarters contracted out inquiry work relating to the relicencing of firearms.
“At least one thousand names, addresses and telephone numbers, plus details of firearms licences were handed over to
Baynet CRA Ltd, which is the information and reporting division of Baycorp Holdings Ltd.
“In a number of cases Police mistakenly gave out details of people who had already relicenced, including some restricted
firearms owners who were alarmed to receive telephone calls seeking sensitive information. They believed that Police
would keep their details confidential.”
Mr Mark said that confidential information about firearms should be kept under strict security and he sought an
assurance that no details could have been released during the relicencing operation.
Today he released copies of letters from a firearms owner and Police Headquarters confirming the release of the
confidential firearms information.
Ends.