Several collection events for the firearms amnesty and buy-back period will be coming to Southland this spring.

Police will be holding eight collection events in Southland, passing through Invercargill, Gore, Winton, Te Anau, and Stewart Island over the month of September.

The Southland stops are part of 192 events to be held across New Zealand, with more dates to be added soon right up until the amnesty period stops on December 20. 

Deputy Commissioner Mike Clement said Police ensured that the collection events were held at a range of venues within Police districts, across as many weekends as possible.

“As Police prepare for these collections events, we can assure the public that these events are well planned with strong safety measures in place that will allow people to hand in their firearms in an efficient manner."

The Police website would be regularly updated and it was important people check it often for updates.

“It’s Police preference that firearm owners hand in firearms at these collection events. 

"However, we also want to make it as easy as possible for people to hand in a firearm if they can’t make it to a collection event."

Other options are available on the Police website.

A list of retailer and dealers – who will be able to collect firearms on Police’s behalf – will be announced in the coming weeks.

Southland collection event dates and locations:

6 September — Ascot Race Track, Invercargill 10am – 2pm

7 September — The Pavilion, Oban 10am – 2pm 

8 September — Ascot Race Track, Invercargill 9am – 1pm 

13-14 September — Gore Race Track, Gore 10am – 2pm 

15 September — Ascot Race Track, Invercargill 9am – 1pm 

20 September — Winton Racecourse, Winton 10am – 2pm 

21 September — Marakura Yacht Club, Te Anau   10am – 2pm 

22 September — Marakura Yacht Club, Te Anau   9am – 1pm