New Zealand authorities have revealed that FBI Director Kash Patel gifted illegal firearms to officials during his visit to the country earlier this year.
Patel visited New Zealand in July to inaugurate a permanent intelligence office and held meetings with senior government ministers, intelligence chiefs, and law enforcement officials.
Details of the Gifts
| Gift Recipient | Gift Description | Legal Assessment | Outcome |
| Police Commissioner Richard Chambers | Challenge coin display stand featuring an inoperable plastic 3D-printed replica pistol | Firearms Safety Authority advised that modifications could make it operable | Collected from recipient and secured; later destroyed |
| Spy agency bosses: Andrew Hampton & Andrew Clark | Firearms in display stands | Assessed by Firearms Safety Authority and Police Armoury | Retained by New Zealand Police for compliance with local laws |
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers explained the situation: “The advice of the Firearms Safety Authority was sought the following day and the gifts were collected from recipients and secured that day.”
Although the pistols were inoperable when gifted, subsequent analysis determined that modifications could potentially have made them functional.
In accordance with New Zealand firearms laws, the replica pistols were handed over to police and destroyed.
A joint statement from New Zealand intelligence services confirmed: “To ensure compliance with New Zealand firearms laws, the gifts were handed to New Zealand Police the following day. Following assessment by police firearms specialists, the gifts were retained by New Zealand Police.”
New Zealand has significantly strengthened its firearm regulations in recent years, particularly following the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks, which resulted in the deaths of 50 people.
The US Embassy in New Zealand did not respond to requests for comment regarding the incident.
