>Did they not just start carrying handguns in the past year?
Airport Security has carried side arms for at least 20 years. Most cars have a Glock 17 and a Bushmaster 556 in the boot.
There are specially trained police AOS for violent offenders, warrants and raids as well as CT teams.
Christchurch Police started carrying arms full time about three weeks ago following a shooting.
Sauce: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-newzealand-security-police-idUSKCN1QI3CR
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2019/03/christchurch-police-to-carry-guns-until-armed-offender-caught.html