As stated by Detective Senior Sergeant Ian Foster:
Police acknowledge the sentencing handed down today in the High Court at Hamilton to Joshua Hargreaves, for the murder of his brother Jack Hargreaves in July last year.
One of the firearms used in the murder belonged to their flatmate, who was sentenced on three charges of unlawful possession of a firearm in January 2026.
These sentencings bring with them a reminder to the community about the importance of firearms safety.
We all want our families and communities to be safe from firearms harm.
Police are committed to ensuring firearms do not get into the wrong hands.
You must have a current New Zealand firearms licence and any required endorsement and permit to legally possess most arms items or ammunition.
Police recognise that there may be occasions where a person inherits or receives an unwanted firearm and they don't have a firearms licence or the correct licence endorsement.
The community will be much safer if that firearm is handed in straight away, so that criminals or vulnerable people, including children or those who are unwell, cannot have access to it.
Reach out for advice, either by calling 105, or by checking guidance on the website of the Firearms Safety Authority: https://www.firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz/manage-and-apply/disposal-il...
When somebody proactively comes forward to Police wanting to hand in an illegally held firearm, firearms part or ammunition, they should not fear prosecution, in most cases.
Police have the discretion not to prosecute, where a firearm is proactively handed in by someone who is not lawfully able to possess it.
Each situation will be considered on its own facts and discretion exercised accordingly. Where a prosecution is not in the public interest, Police will arrange disposal of the item.
We are keen to work with the public to ensure only people with firearms licences possess firearms, as part of our approach to delivering safer communities.
