The MAAG was set up in 2020-21, following the Christchurch terror attack, and has the ear of the minister responsible for firearms laws. Associate Justice Minister and Act MP Nicole McKee. They are both familiar to McKee; Spray has worked for McKee’s company Firearms Safety Specialists NZ Limited, which founded Whakatūpato. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. Public Service guidelines for filling positions in statutory bodies include nine ways to seek candidates, including asking the responsible minister.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 19, 2026 17:31 UTC