Bay of Plenty - Now is the time to hand in your prohibited firearms and parts, says police.

Police encourage all firearms holders who have a prohibited firearm and/or prohibited part to attend a collection event soon.

The firearms amnesty and buy-back ends on December 20 2019.

There will be no compensation after this date for those handing in their firearms or parts for buy-back, and possessing a prohibited firearm will be an offence – no exceptions, says a police spokesperson.

'A collection event for the Bay of Plenty District will happen each day from 9am – 1pm on Friday September 27 to Sunday September 29 at the Tauranga Stadium Lounge, at Trustpower Baypark.

Collection events will run up until December 20 2019, with a new schedule of events for October and November going up on the NZ Police's website shortly.

'As of September 16, 2019, a total of 21,854 firearms have been handed in to Police. The have been 80,833 parts handed in, with a total number of 13,871 firearms owners completing a hand in.

'These figures include firearms and parts processed at local collection events, bulk pick-ups and stations.”

For more information click here or call 0800 311 311.

If firearm holders prefer to hand in their firearms or parts at a dealer, there are 37 Police approved licensed dealers that can accept these. A list of participating dealers and their contact details is on the Police website.