25   Animal management permit

(1)  The Commissioner may, on application by a person, issue a prohibited weapons—animal management permit that authorises the person to possess and use a prohibited weapon referred to in clause 2 (8) or (9) of Schedule 1 to the Act for the purpose of managing any animal in the care of the permit holder.

(2)  The authority conferred by a prohibited weapons—animal management permit also authorises any person who:

(a)  is an employee of the permit holder or who is otherwise engaged in the operation of the practice or organisation of the permit holder, and

(b)  is specified in the permit, and

(c)  has not been convicted of an offence referred to in clause 5,

      to possess and use any such prohibited weapon for the purpose of managing an animal in the care of the permit holder.

(3)  The Commissioner must not issue a prohibited weapons—animal management permit unless the Commissioner is satisfied that:

(a)  the applicant is:

(i)  a veterinary practitioner (within the meaning of the Veterinary Practice Act 2003), or

(ii)  a student enrolled in a course of study referred to in section 21 (1) (a) of that Act, or

(iii)  a person who is applying on behalf of an organisation whose primary object is or includes responsibility for the management of animals, and

(b)  the possession and use of any such prohibited weapon is necessary in the conduct of the applicant’s responsibilities for animal management, and a necessary part of the occupation of the person or persons who will be authorised to possess and use the weapon, and

(c)  all persons who are authorised under the permit to possess and use any such prohibited weapon have adequate training in its safe handling and use and are suitably qualified to carry out the functions that involve its possession and use.