NZ Firearms Licence Theory Practice Test 2026: Practice test 2

Practice test 2 of 2 for the NZ Firearms Licence Theory Practice Test: 30 more questions with answers and explanations.

Hunting
New Zealand
60 questions
Checked October 11, 2026

Question 1 of 30
Which referees do you need for a licence application?
- Two police officers
- A next-of-kin referee and at least one unrelated referee
- A licensed gun dealer
- Only your employer
Show answer
Answer: B. A next-of-kin referee and at least one unrelated referee
You need a next-of-kin referee (such as a partner or near relative) and at least one unrelated referee aged 20 or over.
Question 2 of 30
What is the minimum age of an unrelated referee for a firearms licence?
- 20
- 18
- 16
- 25
Show answer
Answer: A. 20
The unrelated referee must be 20 or over, live in New Zealand and know you well.
Question 3 of 30
In the "UNLOAD" state of readiness, which is true?
- The chamber and magazine are empty and the action is open
- Cartridges are in the magazine and the bolt is closed
- A cartridge is in the chamber with the safety on
- The safety is off
Show answer
Answer: A. The chamber and magazine are empty and the action is open
UNLOAD means safety on, magazine empty, bolt open and chamber empty, checked by sight and by feel.
Question 4 of 30
In the "LOAD" state of readiness, which is true?
- Cartridges are in the magazine but the chamber is empty
- The bolt is removed
- There is no ammunition anywhere in the firearm
- The chamber holds a cartridge and the safety is off
Show answer
Answer: A. Cartridges are in the magazine but the chamber is empty
LOAD means safety on, live cartridges in the magazine, bolt closed on an empty chamber.
Question 5 of 30
When should a firearm be in the "ACTION" state, with a cartridge in the chamber and the safety on?
- When game is sighted or expected right away, or you are about to fire
- While crossing a river
- While driving to the hunting area
- While walking through the bush
Show answer
Answer: A. When game is sighted or expected right away, or you are about to fire
ACTION is only for when game is sighted or expected immediately, or you are about to fire, such as on a range.
Question 6 of 30
What is the "INSTANT" state of readiness?
- Safety off, used only after you consciously decide to fire
- The firearm is stored in a cabinet
- The bolt is removed for transport
- Safety on with the chamber empty
Show answer
Answer: A. Safety off, used only after you consciously decide to fire
INSTANT means the safety is off. Move to it only after a conscious decision to fire.
Question 7 of 30
A deer runs off after you moved the safety to "fire". What should you do?
- Give the rifle to a friend
- Fire a shot to clear the chamber
- Put the safety back on at once
- Leave it off in case the deer comes back
Show answer
Answer: C. Put the safety back on at once
If game escapes after you move the safety to fire, return it to safe immediately.
Question 8 of 30
In a hunting group walking in single file, who may have their firearm in the LOAD state?
- Only the person at the back
- Only the person in front
- Nobody, until they reach the vehicle
- Everyone
Show answer
Answer: B. Only the person in front
The Firearms Safety Code says only the person in front should be in the LOAD state.
Question 9 of 30
You lose sight of your hunting partner in the bush. What should you do?
- Fire a shot so they know where you are
- Assume they are in your firing zone and stop hunting until you make contact
- Keep hunting and listen for their shots
- Move faster to cover more ground
Show answer
Answer: B. Assume they are in your firing zone and stop hunting until you make contact
If you lose sight of a companion, assume they are in your firing zone. Stop until you have visual and verbal contact again.
Question 10 of 30
What should a hunting group agree on before they start?
- The hunting area, the plan and the boundaries
- Which radio channel plays music
- Who gets the biggest share of the meat
- Who will carry the loaded rifles
Show answer
Answer: A. The hunting area, the plan and the boundaries
Agree the area and plan in advance and stay within boundaries. Use radios, GPS and maps.
Question 11 of 30
According to the Firearms Safety Code, in most hunting incidents where someone was shot, who was the victim?
- A farmer working nearby
- A stranger on the next block
- A person on a public road
- Someone in the shooter's own group
Show answer
Answer: D. Someone in the shooter's own group
In 80% of incidents the shooter and the victim were in the same group, often less than 75 metres apart.
Question 12 of 30
Which clothing colours does the Firearms Safety Code say are most common for hunter visibility?
- Brown and green
- Black and grey
- Camouflage patterns
- Blaze orange and blue
Show answer
Answer: D. Blaze orange and blue
Blaze orange and blue are the most common high-visibility colours. Wear them so you can be seen from all directions.
Question 13 of 30
Why should you replace old, faded blaze orange clothing?
- Faded blaze orange can look like deer hide
- It makes noise when you walk
- Faded colours are illegal
- It becomes too hot
Show answer
Answer: A. Faded blaze orange can look like deer hide
Old blaze orange can fade to a colour like a deer's coat, so replace faded items.
Question 14 of 30
What should you use to scan the bush for animals?
- A torch fixed to the rifle
- Binoculars
- The firearm's open sights
- Your rifle scope
Show answer
Answer: B. Binoculars
Use binoculars, not a rifle scope, so you never point the firearm at something you have not identified.
Question 15 of 30
Shooting in darkness in state forests, forest parks and national parks is:
- An offence under the Conservation Act
- Allowed with a spotlight
- Allowed if you wear hi-vis
- Allowed for pest control by anyone
Show answer
Answer: A. An offence under the Conservation Act
The Firearms Safety Code notes that night shooting in these areas is an offence under the Conservation Act.
Question 16 of 30
What effect can "buck fever" or tunnel vision have on a hunter?
- It improves your aim
- It makes the firing zone safer
- It can make you miss things around your target
- It only affects new shooters at a range
Show answer
Answer: C. It can make you miss things around your target
Stress can cause tunnel vision and target fixation. Slow down, breathe and scan before you decide.
Question 17 of 30
Which of these is a legal way to store a firearm that is not under your immediate supervision?
- In the boot of the car overnight
- Locked in a stout cabinet secured to the building
- Under the bed in a soft bag
- Behind the door with the bolt in it
Show answer
Answer: B. Locked in a stout cabinet secured to the building
Firearms must be locked in a stout cabinet or container fixed to the building, a strongroom, or a locked rack or display cabinet where they are immobilised.
Question 18 of 30
When you leave a firearm in a locked vehicle during a short break in a journey, what is the longest time the Firearms Safety Code allows?
- Overnight
- 10 minutes
- 60 minutes
- 3 hours
Show answer
Answer: C. 60 minutes
The Code allows up to 60 minutes during a journey break if you stay nearby, the items are hidden and secured, and the vehicle is locked.
Question 19 of 30
In a vehicle, where is the best place to keep ammunition?
- In the same case as the rifle
- Separate from the firearm, preferably in a locked glove box
- On the dashboard where you can see it
- In the rifle's magazine
Show answer
Answer: B. Separate from the firearm, preferably in a locked glove box
Keep ammunition separate and out of sight, preferably in a locked glove box or similar.
Question 20 of 30
How should you take a firearm out of a vehicle?
- Quickly, with a cartridge chambered
- Muzzle-first so you can see the barrel
- By pulling it out by the barrel
- Never muzzle-first, and with no one in front of it
Show answer
Answer: D. Never muzzle-first, and with no one in front of it
Never take a firearm out muzzle-first, and make sure no one is in front of it or on the other side of the vehicle.
Question 21 of 30
When you rest your rifle during a break, where should it not be placed?
- On the ground with the muzzle in a safe direction
- Unloaded in its case
- Leaning against a vehicle where it could fall
- In a rack where it is secure
Show answer
Answer: C. Leaning against a vehicle where it could fall
Never lean firearms against vehicles or anywhere they could fall and point somewhere unsafe.
Question 22 of 30
What does "immediate supervision" mean when an unlicensed person uses a standard firearm?
- The licence holder is present, actively watching and able to take control
- The licence holder is somewhere on the same farm
- The licence holder is shooting next to them with another firearm
- The licence holder gave permission by phone
Show answer
Answer: A. The licence holder is present, actively watching and able to take control
The supervisor must be physically present, actively supervising, able to take control, and not using another firearm.
Question 23 of 30
At what age can someone use an airgun without supervision if they do not hold a firearms licence?
- 14
- 12
- 16
- 18
Show answer
Answer: D. 18
Under 18s may use an airgun only with a licence or under supervision by someone 18 or older.
Question 24 of 30
You fly on a domestic flight with your rifle. How must it be packed?
- Loaded in a soft bag in the cabin
- Without a case, handed to the pilot
- Unloaded, made inoperable and in a locked hard case, declared at check-in
- With the ammunition inside the gun case
Show answer
Answer: C. Unloaded, made inoperable and in a locked hard case, declared at check-in
Firearms must be unloaded, inoperable, in a locked hard case and declared at check-in. Ammunition goes separately.
Question 25 of 30
What is the most ammunition one licence holder may take on a domestic flight, including the container?
- 10 kg
- 1 kg
- No limit
- 5 kg
Show answer
Answer: D. 5 kg
Ammunition must not exceed 5 kg per licence holder, packed so each round is separate, in checked baggage.
Question 26 of 30
Your firearm is stolen from your home. What should you do?
- Tell only your neighbours
- Buy a replacement and say nothing
- Report it to Police straight away, by 105 or online
- Wait a month in case it turns up
Show answer
Answer: C. Report it to Police straight away, by 105 or online
Report lost or stolen firearms immediately. Use 105 (non-emergency) or report online.
Question 27 of 30
You must leave home quickly in a natural disaster and decide to take your firearms. How should you carry them?
- Unloaded, in a locked case, with your licence
- Hidden with no case or licence
- Loaded, for protection
- In plain view so emergency staff can see them
Show answer
Answer: A. Unloaded, in a locked case, with your licence
Only handle firearms if it is safe. Carry them unloaded in a locked case, bring your licence and tell first responders.
Question 28 of 30
Under New Zealand law, who cannot hold a firearms licence?
- A person who lives in a city
- A person who has never hunted before
- A person aged 30 or over
- A person identified as a gang member
Show answer
Answer: D. A person identified as a gang member
Gang members are disqualified from holding a firearms licence.
Question 29 of 30
What must you never do when checking whether a firearm is loaded?
- Check the chamber by sight and by feel
- Look down the barrel from the muzzle end
- Remove the magazine
- Open the action
Show answer
Answer: B. Look down the barrel from the muzzle end
Never handle a firearm from the muzzle end. Check the chamber and magazine with the muzzle in a safe direction.
Question 30 of 30
Your group plans to have a drink at camp after the hunt. What must happen first?
- All firearms and ammunition are locked away
- Only the shotguns are put away
- The rifles are unloaded but left by the fire
- Each person keeps their rifle beside them
Show answer
Answer: A. All firearms and ammunition are locked away
Wait until shooting is finished and firearms and ammunition are locked away before anyone drinks.

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