A total of $2,098,534 has been compensated to firearms owners at gun buy-back events held throughout the country, including the Bay of Plenty.

Police held seven collection events around the country on Sunday as part of the prohibited firearms buy-back and amnesty scheme.

Collection events were held in Auckland, Ohope, Hastings, Palmerston North, Upper Hutt, Greymouth and Dunedin.

The first full week of the firearms buy-back and amnesty has produced a strong turnout as events roll out nationwide for the first time, says Police Minister Stuart Nash.

'Momentum is slowly starting to build as community collection events are held across the entire country.

'After the first collection in Christchurch last weekend, Police held 24 further public collection events from Northland to Otago and from the West Coast of the South Island to eastern Bay of Plenty. Seven were held on Sunday.

'The strongest turnout for a single day was at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland on Sunday, where 240 people took part, handing in 405 prohibited firearms and 1343 parts and accessories.

'There has also been a steady response at events in some of our smaller centres over the past few days, like Waipu, Te Aroha, Ohope, Hokitika and Mosgiel."

Local Police commanders at each event are consistently reporting the same response: firearms owners want to do the right thing.

Many events have seen people queuing before the doors open, ready to hand in firearms, parts and ammunition.

'In my own community of Hawke's Bay, Eastern District Commander Tania Kura reflected a view common around the country. Superintendent Kura noted some gun owners turn up feeling a little apprehensive, but once they get inside they find Police make it go smoothly, it is easy to understand, and they get a fair price.

'Police are working hard to get alongside gun owners and are committed to treating those going through this process with respect, patience and understanding. They say the conversations they have had with many gun owners have been positive and engaging.

'I am full of praise for the way gun owners and Police are managing this process. New Zealand has never run a gun buyback and amnesty before. Police officers and staff have put a tremendous effort into planning for this, and firearms owners are responding in kind.

'This was never aimed at the vast majority of law abiding gun owners. They have done nothing wrong. The law changed and they now hold prohibited weapons. However after the terror attack of 15 March we had to act to remove the most dangerous weapons from circulation."

Provisional figures at 5pm on Sunday per police district include the following:

-Tamaki Makaurau (Waitemata, Auckland City and Counties Manukau): 240 firearms owners were processed, handing in a total of 405 prohibited firearms and 1343 parts and accessories.

-Bay of Plenty: 51 firearms owners were processed, handing in a total of 51 prohibited firearms and 602 parts and accessories.

-Eastern: 82 firearms owners were processed, handing in a total of 107 prohibited firearms and 167 parts and accessories.

-Central: 90 firearms owners were processed, handing in a total of 145 prohibited firearms and 473 parts and accessories.

-Wellington: 83 firearms owners were processed, handing in a total of 129 prohibited firearms and 377 parts and accessories.

-Tasman: 58 firearms owners were processed, handing in a total of 92 prohibited firearms and 160 parts and accessories.

-Southern: 94 firearms owners were processed, handing in a total of 132 prohibited firearms and 275 parts and accessories.

-Countrywide, 684 firearms owners were processed on Sunday, handing in a total of 1,061 prohibited firearms and 3,397 parts and accessories.

How to hand in your gun at a collection event:

- Complete the online form on the police website.

- Clear the firearm of all ammunition and put it and any parts in a safe carry bag.

- Bring the following items to the event: your firearms licence (if applicable), photo identification (driver licence or passport), bank account number, online notification reference number, all prohibited parts (cleared of all ammunition), and any other non-prohibited firearms or parts you wish to hand in to police.