Enquiry – Independent Research into Firearms Licensing and Administrative Justice in New Zealand

Dear Legal Research Foundation,

Dear Legal Research Foundation,

I am writing on behalf of We Review the Crown regarding a proposed independent legal research project examining firearms licensing, administrative decision-making, procedural fairness and access to review in New Zealand.

The project would combine statutory and case-law analysis with structured examination of primary-source records from actual cases, including licensing decisions, correspondence, disclosure material, warrants, inventories, court records and review outcomes.

The central research question is whether firearms licensing and enforcement decisions are being made consistently, transparently, on an adequate evidential foundation, and with appropriate procedural safeguards and meaningful access to independent review.

Proposed outputs include a substantive research report, anonymised case studies, a structured database of relevant authorities and decisions, analysis of recurring procedural and evidential issues, and accessible educational material explaining the legal framework.

The research would not begin from a predetermined conclusion. It would identify both examples of sound administrative practice and areas where evidence, consistency, procedure or accountability may require improvement.

Given the Foundation’s role in promoting legal education, research and informed discussion in New Zealand, we would appreciate advice on whether the Foundation offers any form of project support, sponsorship or research collaboration for work of this nature.

 If not, we would be grateful for any guidance as to an appropriate funding or academic partner.

We can provide a detailed research proposal, methodology, governance structure, proposed legal or academic oversight, timetable and budget if helpful.

Kind regards,

Tracy Lynch

We Review the Crown

FARQ office