The Labour Party is renewing calls for an independent inquiry on firearms following the Kawerau police shootings and discovery of several military-style weapons in Auckland.
The Police are urgently investigating how the weapons found during a major drug operation made it into New Zealand.
Some of the seized firearms Photo: NZ Police
The man allegedly involved in an intense stand-off with police near Kawerau appeared in court yesterday.
Labour's police spokesperson, Stuart Nash, said there should be an inquiry into the availability, use and control of firearms.
"So we actually can find out what is happening in our communities with regard to guns and I do know the Police Commissioner himself has a concern about this.
"We know there are far too many guns in the hands of criminals these days."
Mr Nash said the Police had confiscated more than 1500 firearms in the past year.