On 19 October 1860 the House of Representatives asked Governor Gore Browne to recommend Parliament to provide £300 as prizes for the best rifle shots in the colony. Shortly afterwards Stafford stated “that shooting for the Prizes voted by the Legislature of New Zealand, for the best shots among the Militia and Volunteer Forces, will take place simultaneously throughout each Militia District, on 24 May 1861”. The best shot was to receive £140 in cash and a Champion Badge which would be again contested in each succeeding year. More comprehensive regulations were gazetted for the competitions, fired on 1 April 1862, when provisions covering distances, mode of firing, targets, and ammunition, were included. Cash prizes were awarded for the first 20 places in the competition, the champion receiving “£50 and the right to keep and wear the Champion Pouch and Belt for the Best Shot in New Zealand during the year in which he wins it”.
This arrangement remained in force until after the Maori Wars, when an association, on the lines of the English one, was formed. The new body was known as the New Zealand Rifle Association and, although not officially part of the Armed Forces, drew its members from the Militia and Volunteers. The association's aim was to encourage efficiency at rifle shooting, principally as an aid to defence during the Maori Wars. Although annual championships have been competed for since 1861, there was no central meeting until 1902 when the Trentham rifle range became available. Previously to that date the association arranged for the national championship events to be held in rotation with the district championship meetings. Until 1887 the NRA received an annual grant from the Government but, as a result of the retrenchment of the Atkinson Ministry, this was discontinued. But the association continued to receive a grant of free ammunition for the championship events, and competitors were allowed free passes on the Government railways. By 1899 it appeared that the NRA was becoming moribund and the Commandant of the Forces suggested that, because the association was composed almost exclusively of members of the Volunteer Forces, the functions of the New Zealand Rifle Association should be assumed by the Defence Forces. There were no national championships held in 1900 and, in the Defence Act of that year, provision was made for Defence Rifle Clubs to apply to become an integral part of the Armed Forces of the colony.
Although a few clubs applied for inclusion in the first year, the 1901 championships were held under the auspices of the New Zealand Rifle Association. Later in the year the Army took over the NZRA which was renamed the New Zealand Defence Forces Rifle Association. For the purposes of the association civilian members were classed as auxiliaries of the Defence Forces. The NZDFRA was fully sponsored and financed by the Government and the military authorities supplied rifles, made free issues of ammunition to rifle clubs, and prescribed mimimum qualifying standards for membership. The Annual National Championship meetings at Trentham were inaugurated in 1902, and events were conducted under service conditions. At the 1905 meetings, a long-range (1,000 yards) shooting event was introduced and in 1906 a “running man” competition was added. Direct Army control ceased about 1909, when the NZDFRA became the National Rifle Association. The Government, however, continued to make an annual grant (£5,000) and to supply free ammunition. Since the Second World War Government support has been gradually withdrawn and the association is now nearly self-supporting. In 1952 the annual grant of £5,000 and free ammunition was replaced by an annual subsidy of £1,000 and the right to buy ammunition at reduced prices. In 1962 the annual subsidy was abolished but the concession for the purchase of ammunition was retained. The Army continues to assist with the running of the annual national meeting, but these arrangements are to be reviewed in 1967.
In 1952, following the termination of the annual Government grants, the National Rifle Association was reconstituted as the National Rifle Association of New Zealand and registered, as an independent body, under the Incorporated Societies' Act of 1908.
As constituted under the 1952 Rules, the NRA is controlled by an executive committee consisting of the president, two vice-presidents, treasurer, and secretary, together with representatives of the 14 affiliated district rifle associations. The districts represented are Northland, Auckland, South Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Western Districts, Wairarapa, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Nelson – West Coast, Marlborough, Canterbury, Otago and Southland. Rifle clubs formed within these districts are self-contained and, through their affiliation with their district rifle associations, members of the NRA. Prior to the Second World War there were about 200 active rifle clubs. In 1964 there were about 98, with another eight temporarily in recess. The total active membership of the NRA is approximately 2,500.
The general object of the NRA is to encourage rifle and carbine shooting as an aid to the country's defence and to conduct Dominion and international shooting competitions. In this connection the association is primarily responsible for conducting the Annual National Championship Rifle Meeting. Subject to the Army Regulations of 1951, the NRA administers the district rifle associations and rifle clubs.
The New Zealand Annual National Championships are held at Trentham in February or March of each year. The premier trophy is the New Zealand Rifle Champion Belt (Ballinger Belt) which has been competed for since 1861. In 1907 it was won outright by A. Ballinger of Wellington who in 1938 presented it to the NRA for annual competition. The Collins Challenge Cup was instituted in 1907 and is awarded for the highest aggregate score gained in certain events at the national meeting. The premier teams' trophy, the District Challenge Shield, has been competed for since 1880. Each of these trophies is open to overseas competitors.
New Zealand teams have often competed at Bisley and in 1919 the Queen's Prize was won by Sergeant L. Loveday of Palmerston North. In 1897 the first New Zealand team competed for the Kolapore Cup (Imperial Challenge Cup) – for competition between the United Kingdom and the dominions – winning the cup in 1904 and 1960. The Mackinnon Challenge Cup – for international competition to encourage rapid fire from a kneeling position – has been won by New Zealand teams on two occasions, in 1953 and 1960. Again in 1960 the New Zealand team at Bisley won the Rhodes Centennial Match. After winning most of the teams' events at Bisley, the 1960 New Zealand team visited Canada where they won the Ontario Teams Match and the Canadian Commonwealth Match while Major R. Wakefield won the Governor-General's Match.
Probably the best-known names in New Zealand rifle shooting are the Ballingers, whose family have appeared in championship lists since 1879. One of the tense moments in New Zealand shooting occurred in the 1895 National Championship when A. S. and W. H. Ballinger tied for first place, the latter winning in the shoot off. Another well-known figure was Major W. N. Masefield, of Marlborough, who won on five occasions both the New Zealand Championship and the Collins Challenge Cup.
by Bernard John Foster, M.A., Research Officer, Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington and Squadron-Leader Ivan Sidney Rockell, M.B.E., Secretary, National Rifle Association of New Zealand, Wellington.
| New Zealand Rifle Champion Belt Winners (Ballinger Belt) 1861–1965 | |
| 1861 | Lieutenant Brighton, Auckland |
| 1862 | Private Holt, Nelson |
| 1863 | Lieutenant Owen, Wanganui |
| 1864 | Lieutenant Morse, Nelson |
| 1865 | No competition |
| 1866 | Sergeant Christie, Otago |
| 1867 | Sergeant Chisholm, Otago |
| 1868 | Sergeant Taylor, Otago |
| 1869 | No competition |
| 1870 | Lieutenant Goldie, Otago |
| 1871 | Captain Wales, Otago |
| 1872 | Captain Wales, Otago* |
| 1873 | Lieutenant Hoskins, Thames |
| 1874 | Captain Hamlin, Waiuku Rifles |
| 1875 | Lieutenant Skinner, Auckland |
| 1876 | Private J. Willocks, Clutha |
| 1877 | Lieutenant Paynter, Nelson |
| 1878 | No competition |
| 1879 | Corporal W. Ballinger, Wellington |
| 1880 | Sergeant Okey, Taranaki |
| 1881 | Lieutenant Paynter, Nelson |
| 1882 | Corporal Hutchinson, Dunedin |
| 1883 | Sergeant Kennedy, Dunedin |
| 1884 | Private W. Churton, Wanganui |
| 1885 | Lieutenant Lucas, Thames |
| 1886 | Sergeant Remington, Wanganui |
| 1887 | Captain White, Gordon Rifles, Auckland |
| 1888 | Hon. Major Purnell, New Zealand Volunteers |
| 1889 | Sergeant Parslow, Auckland |
| 1890 | P. O. Williams, Wellington Navals |
| 1891 | Private C. Kruse, Wanganui Rifles |
| 1892 | Sergeant Doughty, A. Battery |
| 1893 | Private A. Ballinger, Wellington Guards |
| 1894 | Captain E. R. Smith, Dunedin City Guards |
| 1895 | W. H. Ballinger, Petone Rifle Club |
| 1896 | Sergeant Wakelyn, Honorary Reserve Corps, Christchurch |
| 1897 | Private A. Ballinger, Wellington Guards |
| 1898 | Private J. McGregor, Oamaru Rifles |
| 1899 | Bandmaster W. S. King, Oamaru |
| 1900 | No competition |
| 1901 | W. H. Nelson, Woodville Rifle Club |
| 1902 | G. Hyde, Opaki Rifle Club |
| 1903 | R. J. King, Opaki Rifle Club |
| 1904 | Sergeant J. W. Ching, Waimea Rifles |
| 1905 | W. J. Milroy, Nelson Rifle Club |
| 1906 | Colour Sergeant R. M. Irvine, Nelson |
| 1907 | A. Ballinger, Petone Rifle Club* |
| 1908 | G. Hyde, Opaki Rifle Club |
| 1909 | Lieutenant W. Duncan, Millerton Rifles |
| 1910 | G. Halliday, Karori Rifle Club |
| 1911 | D. Roots, Kaponga Rifle Club |
| 1912 | Private L. Loveday, 9th Regiment |
| 1913 | F. H. James, Okawa Rifle Club |
| 1914 | W. N. Masefield, Sounds Rifle Club |
| 1915–18 | No competition |
| 1919 | R. J. King, Opaki Rifle Club |
| 1920 | H. V. Croxton, Karori Rifle Club |
| 1921 | E. E. Vennell, Te Wharau Rifle Club |
| 1922 | D. Roots, Hawera Rifle Club |
| 1923 | L. Loveday, Linton Rifle Club |
| 1924 | Captain H. Simmonds, Wanganui |
| 1925 | D. J. Anderson, Kaituna Rifle Club |
| 1926 | A. L. Caldwell, Karori Rifle Club |
| 1927 | D. Roots, Patea |
| 1928 | E. S. King, Wanganui |
| 1929 | Captain W. N. Masefield, Blenheim |
| 1930 | P. Barry, Tararua Rifle Club |
| 1931 | W. J. McIver, Petone Rifle Club |
| 1932 | R. H. Nicholl, Petone Rifle Club |
| 1933 | H. V. Croxton, Karori Rifle Club |
| 1934 | R. H. Nicholl, Petone Rifle Club |
| 1935 | F. Bowes, Auckland City Rifle Club |
| 1936 | Captain W. N. Masefield, Blenheim |
| 1937 | C. J. Nix, Featherston |
| 1938 | D. Roots, Patea, winner of Ballinger Belt |
| 1939 | Captain W. N. Masefield, Blenheim |
| 1940–46 | No competition |
| 1947 | H. King, Opaki Rifle Club |
| 1948 | Major W. N. Masefield, Blenheim |
| 1949 | S. Kanaar, Australia |
| 1949 | Runner-up: W. Oakley, Christchurch |
| 1950 | F. J. Jeune, Gisborne Rifle Club |
| 1951 | M. G. Gordon, Okawa Rifle Club |
| 1952 | J. W. Curtin, Masterton-Opaki Rifle Club |
| 1953 | M. G. Gordon, Okawa Rifle Club |
| 1954 | J. W. Curtin, Masterton-Opaki Rifle Club |
| 1955 | Flight Sergeant D. J. Caughley, R.N.Z.A.F. |
| 1956 | W. J. Whitham, Sydenham Rifle Club |
| 1957 | H. O. Judkins, Hamilton-Whatawhata |
| 1958 | H. F. Tattersfield, Karori |
| 1959 | N. C. Petersen, Levin |
| 1960 | R. S. Torrie, Akarana Rifle Club |
| 1961 | F. J. Jeune, Gisborne Rifle Club |
| 1962 | N. C. Petersen, Levin |
| 1963 | K. C. Walshe, Onslow |
| 1964 | J. T. Petersen, Alfredton |
| 1965 | V. A. Curtis, Christchurch |
*Belt won outright.
| Winners of Collins Challenge Cup (Grand Aggregate) 1907–65 | |
| 1907 | Colour Sergeant W. Duncan, Denniston Rifles |
| 1908–13 | No competition |
| 1914 | W. N. Masefield, Sounds Rifle Club |
| 1915–18 | No competition |
| 1919 | W. J. Morgan, Akarana Rifle Club |
| 1920 | W. H. West, Blenheim Rifle Club |
| 1921 | E. A. Ballinger, Petone Rifle Club |
| 1922 | No competition |
| 1923 | G. Hood, Opaki Rifle Club |
| 1924 | Captain H. Simmonds, Wanganui Rifle Club |
| 1925 | Captain H. Simmonds, Wanganui Rifle Club |
| 1926 | Captain H. Simmonds, Wanganui Rifle Club |
| 1927 | Captain W. N. Masefield, Blenheim |
| 1928 | F. H. James, Napier |
| 1929 | H. V. Croxton, Karori |
| 1930 | W. J. McIver, Petone Rifle Club |
| 1931 | Captain W. N. Masefield, Blenheim |
| 1932 | H. W. Feast, Greytown |
| 1933 | Captain H. Simmonds, Auckland City Rifle Club |
| 1934 | R. H. Nicholl, Petone Rifle Club |
| 1935 | Captain W. N. Masefield, Blenheim |
| 1936 | J. E. Farley, Wanganui |
| 1937 | Captain W. N. Masefield, Blenheim |
| 1938 | D. Roots, Patea |
| 1939 | F. Bowes, Auckland City |
| 1940–46 | No competition |
| 1947 | R. H. Nicholl, Petone |
| 1948 | Rifleman W. F. Burton, Gisborne |
| 1949 | Rifleman S. Kanaar, Australia |
| 1950 | F. J. Jeune, Gisborne Rifle Club |
| 1951 | H. King, Masterton-Opaki |
| 1952 | F. J. Jeune, Gisborne Rifle Club |
| 1953 | A. Churcher, Cheltenham Rifle Club |
| 1954 | R. H. Nicholl, Petone Rifle Club |
| 1955 | Flight Sergeant D. J. Caughley, R.N.Z.A.F. |
| 1956 | M. H. Reid, Upper Hutt |
| 1957 | H. O. Judkins, Hamilton-Whatawhata |
| 1958 | Captain H. N. Cooper, R.M., Great Britain Rifle Team |
| 1959 | M. G. Gordon, Okawa |
| 1960 | Lieut-Colonel H. V. Donald, Masterton-Opaki |
| 1961 | L. W. Lock, Australia |
| 1962 | J. T. Petersen, Alfredton |
| 1963 | V. A. Curtis, Christchurch |
| 1964 | H. F. Tattersfield, Karori |
| 1965 | V. A. Curtis, Christchurch |
|
Winners of Champion Teams Match and District
Challenge Shield
(From 1902 the District Challenge Shield was held by the winning team) |
|
| 1880 | Dunedin City Guards |
| 1884 | Victoria Rifles (No. 2 Team) |
| 1886 | Wanganui Rifles |
| 1888 | West Taieri Rifles |
| 1890 | A Battery, Auckland |
| 1891 | A Battery, Auckland |
| 1892 | Wanganui Rifles |
| 1893 | Dunedin City Guards |
| 1894 | Petone Rifle Club |
| 1896 | Woodville Rifle Club |
| 1897 | Christchurch Honorary Reserve Corps |
| 1898 | Christchurch Honorary Reserve Corps |
| 1899 | Woodville Rifle Club |
| 1902 | Petone Rifle Club |
| 1903 | Opaki Rifle Club |
| 1904 | Karori Rifle Club |
| 1905 | Waimea Rifle Volunteers |
| 1906 | Weber Rifle Club |
| 1907 | Waimea Rifle Volunteers |
| 1908 | Hawke's Bay Mounted Rifles |
| 1909 | Opaki Rifle Club |
| 1910 | Napier Guards |
| 1911 | Ohura Rifle Club |
| 1912 | Opaki Rifle Club |
| 1913 | Christchurch Rifle Club |
| 1914 | Opaki Rifle Club |
| 1915–18 | No competition |
| 1919 | Blenheim Rifle Club |
| 1920 | Blenheim Rifle Club |
| 1921 | Suburbs Rifle Club |
| 1922 | No competition |
| 1923 | Greytown Rifle Club |
| 1924 | Karori Rifle Club |
| 1925 | New Plymouth Rifle Club |
| 1926 | Wanganui Rifle Club |
| 1927 | Christchurch Rifle Club |
| 1928 | Petone Rifle Club |
| 1929 | Akarana Rifle Club |
| 1930 | Ashburton Rifle Club |
| 1931 | Karori Rifle Club |
| 1932 | Petone Rifle Club |
| 1933 | Wanganui Rifle Club |
| 1934 | Wanganui No. 1 Team |
| 1935 | New Plymouth Rifle Club |
| 1936 | Wanganui No. 1 Team |
| 1937 | Christchurch No. 2 |
| 1938 | Durban and Coast Team, South Africa |
| 1939 | Ashburton Rifle Club |
| 1940–46 | No competition |
| 1947 | Nelson Rifle Club |
| 1948 | Masterton-Opaki No. 1 Team |
| 1949 | Upper Hutt Defence Rifle Club |
| 1950 | Gisborne Rifle Club |
| 1951 | Upper Hutt No. 1 Team |
| 1952 | Petone Rifle Club No. 1 Team |
| 1953 | Masterton-Opaki Rifle Club No. 3 Team |
| 1954 | Karori “Blue” |
| 1955 | Ashburton Rifle Club |
| 1956 | Masterton-Opaki Rifle Club No. 2 |
| 1957 | Waipukurau Rifle Club |
| 1958 | Levin Rifle Club |
| 1959 | Masterton-Opaki Rifle Club |
| 1960 | Gisborne Rifle Club |
| 1961 | Levin Rifle Club |
| 1962 | Auckland City Rifle Club |
| 1963 | Alfredton Rifle Club |
| 1964 | Masterton-Opaki |
| 1965 | Karori “White” |