The Green Party says Māori and Pasifika communities would bear the brunt of a Government proposal to give police the power to keep those they deem high-risk away from firearms.
The Government has issued a discussion document asking whether those with a history of violent offending, gun crimes or family harm should be subject to a Firearm Prohibition Order.
An order could stop those people from living at or visiting a property where firearms are kept, or being in a vehicle with someone who has firearms.
Green Party Justice spokesperson Golriz Ghahraman told RNZ political reporter Charlie Dreaver it raises serious human rights questions.
"The one that really jumps out at this point, for example, is warrantless search powers.
"So you know, we we're giving police extra powers without them being governed by our usual search and surveillance or search and seizure laws that put a lot more safeguards around things like that.
"And we know that where police abuses of power do happen they disproportionately are used against Māori or Pasifika people."
