Wellington: New Zealand has destroyed 3D-printed guns gifted by FBI Director Kash Patel to police and intelligence officers during his visit to the country in July.

According to Anadolu Agency, the replica guns were destroyed as they could be made operable with modifications, as reported by Radio New Zealand (RNZ) on Tuesday. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers stated that the Firearms Safety Authority was consulted about the guns. After the authority determined that the replicas could be made operable with modifications, Chambers ordered their destruction to comply with firearms laws.

New Zealand Security Intelligence Service Director-General Andrew Hampton and Government Communications Security Bureau Director-General Andrew Clark were also recipients of the inoperable 3D-printed replica guns. According to a spokesperson, the pistols were then handed over to the police and destroyed.

During Patel's visit, he met with officials and spy bosses, discussing regional security, transnational organized crime, counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, and espionage. Patel also announced the opening of a new dedicated attache office in the capital, Wellington, emphasizing the collaboration between New Zealand and the US on "some of the most important global issues of our times," including "countering the CCP (Chinese Communist Party)" in the Asia-Pacific region. However, New Zealand dismissed suggestions that the FBI office in Wellington aimed to counter China.