The qualification develops and advances critical research, critical thinking and writing, analytical best practice as well as exploring relevant twentieth and twenty-first century intelligence operations. It is aimed at those wishing to develop advanced critical skills in relation to their existing or prospective intelligence sector careers in New Zealand.
Graduates of this year long programme will possess an advanced knowledge of intelligence analysis processes, be grounded in relevant previous operational intelligence experiences and have a critical understanding of the ethical and professional issues involved.
The programme of study consists of two 30-credit courses:
Qualification Requirements
Semester ONE, 294741: Intelligence in the International Security Environment
A critical examination of intelligence theory and practice, focusing on key concepts and methodologies of intelligence collection and analysis, analytical tools, frameworks and concepts applied to investigations and operations in the contemporary international security environment.
Course Controller:
Dr Rhys Ball, Centre for Defence and Security Studies (Auckland)
Semester TWO, 294744: Intelligence Operations
A comprehensive grounding in the operational intelligence environment in the second half of the 20th century, into the 21st century. Participants will consider the development of intelligence practices both in New Zealand and around the world, from the evolution of intelligence contributions from the end of World War Two, to the intelligence challenges of the 2020s. Intelligence operations are critically reviewed, including intelligence success and failure, espionage against friends and allies, and policing and private intelligence formats.
Course Controller:
Dr John Battersby, Senior Fellow, Centre for Defence and Security Studies (Wellington)
To enroll in this qualification, students must have been awarded or qualified for a relevant Bachelor's degree, or be able to demonstrate scholarly work in conjunction with extensive relevant professional experience for Admission with Equivalent Status.
For further information, please contact John: j.m.battersby@massey.ac.nz, or Rhys: r.ball@massey.ac.nz.
NZ S M
New Zealand Security Magazine
Nick Dynon
Chief Editor
Nick has written for NZSM since 2013. He writes on all things security, but is particularly fascinated with the fault lines between security and privacy, and between individual, enterprise and national security.
Prior to NZSM he clocked up over 20 years experience in various border security and military roles.
Contact Details:
Chief Editor, Nick Dynon
Phone: + 64 (0) 223 663 691
Email: nick@defsec.net.nz
Publisher, Craig Flint
Phone: + 64 (0)274 597 621
Email: craig@defsec.net.nz
Postal and delivery address:
27 West Crescent, Te Puru 3575, Thames, RD5, New Zealand
Kia ora and welcome to the April-May 2025 issue of New Zealand Security Magazine! This issue is our annual government, access management, and IT security themed issue, and this year we’re focusing on the New Zealand government’s announcement to bolster citizen’s arrest powers, foreign interference, ideology’s role in terrorism, AI cyberattacks, online dating scams, and much more!
But firstly, my congratulations to all Award Winners and Highly Commended Finalists in the 2025 Women in Security Awards Aotearoa! This year, the WiSAAs recognised seven winners across international security, law enforcement, fraud and online harm prevention, private security, security management, and countering violent extremism.
Defsec is proud to organise the WiSAAs, and we’re thankful to our key support partners UN Women New Zealand and the New Zealand Security Sector Network. There’s more on our inspirational 2025 WiSAA Award Recipients inside.
The Government is looking to reform the Crimes Act by giving businesses more powers to detain those stealing from them, but business and employee groups are against it. A recommendation of the Ministerial Advisory Group for Victims of Retail Crime, the citizen’s arrest reform announcement has been met by criticism from retail sector key representative groups in what’s been a shaky start for the MAG.
If you’re an alarm installer who doesn’t currently re-sell alarm monitoring, you’re leaving money on the table, writes Alarm Watch CEO Wade Coneybeer. Alarm monitoring provides a steady stream of recurring revenue, strengthens customer relationships, and makes you look good – well beyond the initial install.
In access control, we take a first look at HID’s PACS Security Guidelines executive brief, and explore multifactor authentication and mobile credentials as access control best practices. We also take a little look at Inner Range’s announcement of a significant expansion of resources to enhance its flagship enterprise solution, Integriti.
From the intelligence world, Dr John Battersby writes that despite the uncertainties of the Trump administration, Five Eyes membership is of enduring value. In short, five eyes, he suggests, are better than none.
There’s plenty more great reading inside this issue of NZSM, so I hope you enjoy. Also, if you haven’t already, consider subscribing to our regular eNewsletter THE BRIEF. It’s a great way to keep up to date with the latest. Details on the Defsec website.
Best of luck to all who are the subject of OSPAs nominations (submissions deadline 08 April). A big thank you to all of you who took the time to nominate a colleague or yourself for an award. Recognising outstanding performance is an important way to raise professionalism within the industry, so all nominators are to be congratulated. Until next edition, stay safe!
Nicholas Dynon Auckland
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this publication is given in good faith and has been derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, neither the publishers nor any person involved in the preparation of this publication accept any form of liability whatsoever for its contents including advertisements, editorials, opinions, advice or information or for any consequences from its use.
Copyright: No article or part thereof may be reproduced without prior consent of the publisher.
Upcoming Issue
June/July 25
Wholesalers and Manufacturers, Perimeter Protection, Alarms, CCTV
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Trade Security Supplies unveils the revolutionary Paradox M25 System
Trade Security Supplies (TSS), the exclusive distributor of Paradox security systems in New Zealand, proudly introduces the game-changing Paradox M25—a powerful and versatile hybrid security platform designed for professional installers.
The M25 combines cutting-edge 915MHz wireless technology, wired expandability, and robust encryption, redefining security with true direct-connect supervision, multi-channel communication (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, LTE), and cloudintegrated management.
“The M25 is more than just an upgrade—it’s a revolution in security technology,” said Andrew Moss, Managing Director of TSS.
“With its industry-leading 915MHz wireless, hybrid flexibility, direct-connect capability, and futureready design, it’s the ideal solution
Meet the TEAM
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021 222 5590
021 222 9951
for security professionals looking for reliability, scalability, and ease of installation. The M25 is an absolute beauty and a beast!”
Engineered for the Future of Security
The M25 is designed to meet the evolving needs of professional
installers, delivering superior wireless range, encryption, and seamless expansion. Powerful yet ultra-compact, the M25 adapts to any site—from homes and apartments to schools, large commercial spaces, and industrial sites where traditional systems struggle—its sleek, versatile design ensures seamless installation anywhere.
Ultra-fast and simple installation is achieved with a single Ethernet cable for both power and data eliminating the need for additional wiring, Auto-Learn for seamless device registration, and with the added ease of the new Paradox Dealer Portal for installer management.
“Imagine giving your existing system a major upgrade without the hassle of ripping out wires or replacing your entire setup. Our M25 Head Unit coupled with our wireless I/O expansion modules allows you to add smart next-gen features with zero disruption,” said Moss.
“Get modern security, remote access, and future-ready tech—without the hassle of a full overhaul!”
Future-Ready for Video & Access Control
While the M25 is ready to transform security now, it’s built to evolve even more with video and access control to be added mid-2025, making it the ultimate hybrid solution for security professionals.
“Security technology must keep pace with market demands,” added Moss. “With the M25, we’re building the foundation for the future of integrated security.”
Availability & How to Get Started
The M25 will be available from TSS in April 2025, for more information contact a member of the TSS team:
0800 72 72 369
021 753 536
from your trusted Paradox distributor Trade Security Supplies
HID: Access control best practice starts with the right credentials
Released in January, HID’s PACS Security Guidelines executive brief highlights multifactor authentication and mobile credentials as access control best practices.
It’s one of the strange ironies of security risk management that the very security controls designed to keep a site protected from threats such as unauthorised entry can also be points of vulnerability that can be exploited or overcome by malicious actors.
Take a site’s physical access control system for instance. Armed with a 125 KHz RFID card reader, criminals can easily skim information stored on a card with an outdated credential technology, and clone it. What was intended to protect the site from unauthorised access becomes a point of security failure.
“Cards or credentials are carried by users and are normally the first step in authentication and authorisation processes,” states HID’s PACS Security Guidelines. “As a result, attempts to gain unauthorised access are usually directed at the readers and credentials.”
For this reason, the Guidelines document focuses primarily on reader and credential recommendations, delivering seven practical, no nonsense pages of best security practices for readers, credentials and key management.
Select the Appropriate Credential
The reality is that some organisations, particularly those that operate within a low security threat environment,
or those that have other protective measures in place as part of a layered approach to their security, may be comfortable with continuing their use of legacy technologies.
“Upgrading readers or purchasing new credentials comes at a cost,” states the Guidelines, “and some organisations postpone such investments based on their own timelines and budgetary constraints.”
It makes sense. But whatever the security or fiscal context of an organisation, it also makes good sense that its security measures are reviewed periodically to ensure that they are addressing changes to its threat environment and operations.
There’s no point delaying an investment in new credentials or reader upgrades if your existing components are no longer fit for purpose. Management tends to be more receptive to security upgrades after a security breach, but by then they’re paying for both the upgrade and the cost of the breach.
Utilise Modern Physical Credentials
Modern credential technologies, such as HID® Seos® and MIFARE® DESFire® EV3, contain security-bolstering technologies, adopting proven and standardised cryptographic techniques recommended by international standards bodies. The Guidelines recommend that – where appropriate
– users of legacy credentials upgrade to these higher security credentials.
Many HID products, such as iCLASS SE®, multiCLASS SE® and Signo™ readers can operate in a ‘migration mode’, which smooths the path to upgrade.
This mode permits more than one credential type to be used, allowing modern, high-security credentials to be phased in to existing legacy deployments. This means that some readers can be configured to accept new modern credentials while also accepting legacy credentials at the same time.
Importantly, the Guidelines recommend that migration mode “is accompanied by a hard cut-off date that is communicated to credential holders, and that legacy credential support is disabled immediately once the migration process has been completed.”
HID further points out that organisations that don’t participate in the HID Elite™ Program (which provides end-user customers with unique and restricted authentication and encryption keys) should use restricted or tracked formats unless necessary for compatibility.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for Sensitive Entry Locations
Site and building perimeters are typically an organisation’s physical first line of defence. High fences and security enhanced doors both
deter would-be attackers and delay (or disrupt) determined attackers… and that’s exactly what MFA readers achieve.
“An access control best practice is to require additional factors of authentication (such as a personal identification number [PIN] or biometrics) to be used at perimeter readers,” states the Guidelines. “Additional factors make the use of emulated or even potentially cloned credentials more difficult.”
For sensitive entry locations, the lack of MFA can turn an access control system from a security solution to a potential security vulnerability.
Additional Security and Convenience with Mobile Credentials
HID Mobile Access® app-based and wallet-based credentials feature customer-specific encryption keys and are protected by HID Seos and Secure Identity Object™ (SIO™) technology. But with mobile credentials, additional security features are just the start.
Easier to manage and revoke at scale compared to physical cards and fobs, mobile credentials can be issued in bulk, allowing organisations to deploy mobile credentials quickly and efficiently. When a user moves on, remote revocation helps remove old credentials from circulation.
For users, this means no more queueing up at the security office to be issued a physical credential, and for organisations it means no more having to deal with the logistics of physical card issuance. For personnel heavy organisations this can result in significant savings.
HID Origo™, for example, enables organisations to issue and revoke credentials in an automated manner, allowing integration with existing workflows to help ensure that credentials are automatically issued, revoked and removed at appropriate times.
It’s no wonder that, according to the Guidelines, “HID recommends considering mobile credentials whenever possible.”
Get your copy of the HID’s PACS Security Guidelines here, https://hid. link/Jj5
Five Eyes or No Eyes?
Despite the uncertainties of the Trump administration, Five Eyes membership is of enduring value, writes Dr John Battersby, Senior Fellow in the Centre for Defence and Security Studies at Massey University.
Dr John Battersby is a Senior Fellow in the Centre for Defence and Security Studies at Massey University and Managing Editor of the National Security Journal.
In the mid -2020s the People’s Republic of China, the sleeping geographical and economic giant, has woken and seems intent on ‘taking its place’ in the world. Like previous empires, China’s is beginning with expeditionary economics – the promise of trade, aid and investment. The warships will follow once the new trading arrangements need securing and just as the 20th was America’s century, the 21st will most likely be China’s.
The US has long believed the Pacific Ocean is an American lake – if it ever was, it isn’t any more – now at least they will have to share it. Perhaps the US and China will settle on détente and spheres of influence. Most likely they will compete for dominance of it all.
China’s warships have recently been in the Tasman Sea conducting live fire exercises – an occurrence we can expect to see repeated in the future.
Australian and New Zealand naval vessels sailed through the Taiwan Straits in 2024 making a statement about the freedom of navigation. China has now replied.
New Zealand’s little navy of nine (no make that eight) vessels can do very little. Our ships are not capable enough to muscle up and contest the Tasman Sea, nor could we ask to join the exercises (after all China is not our enemy) – because we probably lack the live ammunition to do so.
We could wake up from our post ANZUS malaise, break with the cadger mentality we have about security, spend actual money on defence, assess what we actually need to secure our economic zone and make an active and innovative contribution alongside likeminded countries to regional security… or we could opt for our usual assumption of remoteness as our safeguard, and pretend that the implications of an economic or military power contest in the Central and South Pacific will not affect us. Only they will.
New Zealanders generally seem to be taking very little notice of the constant tenor of incidents between Chinese fishing boats, and Chinese coastguard vessels in near collisions in the South China Sea with those of other nations in the region. A Chinese naval station in the Cook Islands and a US militarisation of American Samoa – totally hypothetical at the moment - could fundamentally alter the entire political nature of the South Pacific.
Further north, it is likely a matter of when, not if, mainland China absorbs Taiwan - and most scenarios as to how that will happen involve violence. If that violence is prolonged, a significant number of New Zealand’s sea and airlanes will be closed by the disruption such a conflict will entail. Live fire exercises had aircraft routes diverted – a war in the Pacific could eliminate them entirely.
The fact that the Mickey Mouse Club appears to have taken over the White House and that Donald and Goofy are in charge, has prompted a number of politicians and academics to question whether New Zealand should remain in the American-led Five Eyes arrangement.
Five Eyes is an information sharing organisation involving intelligence and law enforcement agencies. Assessing
its value on the facts is difficult because those who have them stay mum. This situation suits politicians and academics who present themselves as wise in their challenge of an institution that does not answer back.
But Five Eyes is not an alliance. It allows its members to share information of mutual interest and provides a framework for acting together in intelligence or law enforcement contexts when their interests coincide. Intelligence assessments we receive may well be through a US lens, but the facts they are based on can be locally reassessed by us and conclusions drawn that meet our needs.
Five Eyes does not bind any country to any policy, and it does not presume concerted action or even agreement on any issue. Moreover, despite its previous informal existence, Five Eyes was born within weeks of a major international falling-out between the US and Britain over the Suez invasion in 1956. Then there was the Vietnam War, which Britain stayed out of; then in mid 1970s Australia broke ranks for a time, and then in 1985 New Zealand did.
But Five Eyes survived, demonstrating its resilience to political tumult. Presidents and Prime Ministers have come and gone, and their nations have squabbled occasionally, but Five Eyes has carried on.
Given the potential for massive change in climate, in economic infrastructure and in geo-political tension in the Pacific, it would be unwise to forgo such a long-standing information source even if it has a proUS bent.
One alternative would be to pay our own way and develop a fully-fledged external intelligence agency to replace the information we now get for little cost. How likely is that?
Or we go with the critics. We op to fly blind, with seas rising and shifting around us, with major powers probably only a few years from building naval and military bases in the South Pacific, and us taking comfort from the natural blindfold our presumed isolation provides us with.
New Zealand’s security conundrum is not that China is our enemy – China is not; nor is it that the American’s are our friends –because of course they are, just not so much that they did not quickly drop us from ANZUS and exclude us from AUKUS.
Our problem is that the South Pacific is no longer benign, the winds of change are gathering pace and what is beyond the horizon is unclear.
The question is - should we look into an uncertain future with Five Eyes? Or no eyes?
Threat of AI cyber-attacks a top concern for NZ businesses
New research from Kordia reveals that 28% of large New Zealand organisations consider AI generated cyber-attacks to be a top threat to their businesses, despite only 6% of breaches being attributed to an AI-generated attack.
Alastair Miller, Principal Security Consultant at Kordia owned Aura Information Security
Of the 295 businesses with more than 50 employees surveyed as part of Kordia’s annual New Zealand Business Cyber Security Report:
• Almost two thirds (59%) of New Zealand businesses were subjected to a cyber-attack or incident in 2024.
• 43% of all cyber-attacks and incidents were caused by email phishing.
• Almost 1 in 10 businesses compromised by a cyber incident paid a ransom or extortion demand.
• 16% of cyber incidents resulted in the compromise or theft of personally identifiable information (PII) .
• 22% of cyber incidents caused operational disruption.
• 19% of cyber incidents related to a breach or attack on a third-party.
According to Alastair Miller, Principal Security Consultant at Kordia owned Aura Information Security, the findings reflect the proliferation of AI technology, resulting in an increase in social engineering and phishing attacks against businesses.
“AI has lowered the cost of entry and time investment needed by cybercriminals to craft, refine and adapt social engineering campaigns,” said Miller. “As a result, we’re seeing a surge of businesses reporting attacks involving sophisticated email phishing, something that we expect will continue to increase.”
He says the report reveals that financial gain is a clear motivator behind attacks on Kiwi businesses.
“Money is the motivator. That’s why it’s unsurprising to see stolen personal information, IP, commercially sensitive data and business disruption amongst the list of impacts faced as a result of a cyber incident. These are all things that cybercriminals can leverage to put pressure on businesses to pay a blackmail or extortion demand.”
Despite this, many of the businesses surveyed are still not implementing basic cyber security, or elevating cyber security as a top risk for the company’s board.
“It’s disappointing to see New Zealand businesses lagging behind –around one third of businesses say they don’t do any reporting on cyber risk to their board of directors, and around half haven’t practiced their cyber security response plan,” said Miller.
“This report reveals that despite concerns around cybercrime and the devastating impacts it can have on Kiwi businesses, it’s still not being taken seriously enough. Building and maintaining a strong cyber security posture comes down to doing the basics right, taking a risk-based approach, and always keeping one eye on the horizon for new and evolving threats.”
The rise of AI: A double-edged sword for businesses
The report reveals the extent to which AI is reshaping behaviours and attitudes around cyber security for New Zealand businesses, as well as the evolving nature of cybercrime.
Miller refers to AI-generated cyber-attacks as “the new frontier of cybercrime”, arguing that the
“democratisation of increasingly sophisticated AI technology has catapulted the effectiveness and speed of cybercrime to extraordinary new heights.”
He points to the recent uptake of large language models in AI-generated phishing attacks as an example. Not only has it enabled greater personalisation and adaptability by mimicking writing styles or contextualising messages in a timely manner, but it’s also enabled greater levels of automation, resulting in a highly scalable and efficient tactic for cybercriminals.
Of the 59% of respondents who said their business suffered a cyber-attack or incident in 2024, 43% of those were compromised by an email phishing attack.
“Those numbers are high, and we know that they can be attributed in large part to a rise of AI-generated cybercrime tactics,” said Miller.
But cybercriminals aren’t the only cause for concern for New Zealand businesses when it comes to AI. More than a quarter (28%) of respondents cited AI generated cyber-attacks as a threat to their business’s security posture.
Miller says that shadow AI – the unsanctioned use of AI tools by employees in the workplace – has heightened concerns around employees
putting businesses at risk. One in four (25%) respondents cited employee awareness and behaviour as a top challenge to improving their cyber security posture, and one in six (16%) respondents cited improper use of AI as another top challenge.
“Employees are either accessing AI tools like ChatGPT without company knowledge or are not following any guidelines around data management to prevent exposure of company data to AI training models, for example, by feeding the AI with commercially sensitive or private information. In fact, our report indicated 6% of cyber incidents involved an AI-related data breach, so… we’re already seeing some of the consequences of poor AI usage in this country,” he explained.
“Vendors are increasingly incorporating AI technologies into enterprise software and moving towards an “opt out” model, meaning their AI functionality is automatically switched on. So, businesses really need to have some sort of policy or guidelines around proper AI usage for their business, because it is in fact becoming ubiquitous.”
According to Miller, for many New Zealand businesses the focus has been on leveraging AI to create cost and resource efficiencies.
AI can be a useful tool in cyber defence, he says, such as AI-integration
in monitoring solutions that can help improve threat detection, streamline security operations and ease the manual workload of security and IT teams.
“There’s been much hype around what AI cyber security can achieve for a business’s security defences, and while AI absolutely has its place when it comes to defending against cybercrime, it still requires human oversight to ensure that it’s working effectively,” he said.
“Our advice is to take a strategic approach to AI cyber security tools with proven use cases, rather than buying into trends and bold claims. These should supplement, not replace, the cyber security basics.
“Our research reveals that almost half of all New Zealand businesses lack any sort of policy or guidelines to protect their business from AI data breaches. For businesses that’re concerned about the threat of AI, this is a fantastic place to start when implementing AI successfully.”
Weighing the costs of recovery, rebuild and ransoms
The survey reveals that around one in six (14%) cyber incidents affecting New Zealand businesses involved financial extortion, while one in ten (9%) cyber incidents resulted in the victim paying a ransom or payment demand.
Miller says that while the numbers appear small, they are likely to be much higher.
“Financial gain is the primary motivator for cybercriminals, and the reality is that many New Zealand businesses are ill-prepared, or unable, to respond and recover to incoming attacks and find themselves in a position where paying is the easiest way to make the problem go away,” said Miller.
“Unfortunately, it’s sometimes cheaper to pay a ransom or payment demand, than fork out for the cost of operational and wider business disruptions that commonly result from these types of attacks, not to mention the expenses associated with recovery and rebuild.”
Miller says that the report’s findings are indicative of the type of data malicious actors are after, flagging personal information as a lucrative target for cybercriminals financially extorting their victims.
One in six (16%) respondents revealed that personally identifiable information (PII) was accessed or stolen as a result of a cyber-attack or incident, which Miller says reflects what cybercriminals are motivated by when breaching businesses.
“Data is currency, and double extortion has become the new norm as attackers have evolved their tactics to squeeze even more from their victims,” he commented. “Rather than simply encrypting a business’s data to force a payment, cybercriminals are also stealing PII and commercially sensitive material, adding reputation damage and privacy breaches to their list of threats.”
Miller says that not only does paying a ransom incentivise cybercriminals to continue to extort their victims, but there’s also no guarantee that paying a ransom will achieve the desired result, or that those same cybercriminals won’t exploit those known vulnerabilities and simply attack again.
Australia recently introduced legislative reforms to tackle the issue of rising ransomware and cyber extortion payments. The Cyber Security Act introduces mandatory reporting
requirements for Australian businesses to enhance transparency and enable authorities to understand the scale of the problem and combat cyber threats more effectively.
“New Zealand does not currently have an equivalent to Australia’s Cyber Security Act which came into force in November 2024,” said Miller. “While the New Zealand Government has issued strong guidance and policies on the issue, without some sort of mandatory reporting, it’s very hard to get a sense of the true impacts of cybercrime and cash flowing to cybercriminal entities.”
Complacency is a cyber-risk: room for improvement
According to Miller, New Zealand businesses that want to improve their security posture should ensure they’re doing the basics right. But the results from the survey suggest this isn’t the case. Of the 295 businesses surveyed:
• Two thirds (67%) have not performed a penetration test in the past 12 months.
• One in five (20%) do not monitor or log activity in their network.
• Less than half (39%) always conduct a risk assessment when onboarding new technologies.
• One quarter (26%) do not have any cyber security awareness/training in place.
• One third (33%) were unaware if there was a single source of identity management for the business.
• One third (33%) were unaware of any vulnerability management programme in the business to support activities like patching.
“Cyber security works best with a layered approach – so if one control fails, there is another in place to continue protecting your most important data and systems. For example, having multifactor
authentication on logins is one simple way to add an extra layer of defence against identity attacks,” said Miller.
“We know that cybercriminals often log in with stolen credentials, rather than hacking their way into your business, so having a single source of identity management, for example, would significantly reduce the likelihood of an attacker slipping in unnoticed.”
He says that conversations about cyber security should begin in the boardroom. “The good news is that New Zealand businesses are increasingly recognising that cyber security isn’t an ‘IT problem’, it’s both a strategic business enabler and an enterprise-wide risk management issue.”
Cyber-attacks are a case of “when, not if” and Miller says that given boards play a critical role in a company’s incident response management before, during and after an incident, getting this right is a great place to start for
businesses and boards who want to strengthen their security posture.
“We know that nearly two thirds of Kiwi businesses have suffered a cyberattack in the past year, so having a cyber incident response plan should be imperative.,” he stressed.
“But the work doesn’t stop there; you must also regularly practise your plan to verify it is fit for purpose.
Unfortunately, New Zealand businesses have succumbed to complacency here too.”
“Our survey has revealed that despite 86% of businesses having a cyber security incident response plan, only around half have practised it.”
Cyber smarter, not harder: Core focus areas for New Zealand business in 2025
In addition to “getting the basics right”, Kordia recommends New Zealand businesses focus on five core areas in 2025:
• Risk assess AI, and other emerging technology: Major breakthroughs in AI present both risk and opportunity for cyber security. Businesses should assess what data or systems may be impacted by AI usage and determine whether their benefits outweigh any risk, and privacy considerations, as well as be across any upgrades to those tools or changes in policy.
• Factor third-parties into business continuity plans: Third-party cyber threats are becoming more commonplace as more New Zealand businesses adopt SaaS platforms and cloud-based operations. All organisations should have a robust business continuity and cyber response plan in place which can be activated in the event of a major provider suffering a cyber-attack or incident.
• Take a risk-based approach to security investments: Businesses should prioritise cyber security investment where it will be most effective, and this requires first assessing and understanding their core cyber risks.
• Treat identity as a security foundation: Reviewing identity and access management processes and systems, implementing single sign on, segregating admin functions and enforcing phishing resistant MFA (multi-factor authentication) are some of the ways businesses can secure the perimeter from identitybased attacks.
• Prepare for quantum, the next wave of encryption: Increasingly advanced quantum computers have the ability to break through encryption currently used to protect electronic communications. While quantum may seem like tomorrow’s problem, organisationsparticularly those in industries such as critical infrastructure, finance and health - should consider what impacts quantum might have on their risk profile, and on the data they store.
Inspiring female security leaders among 2025 Women in Security Awards Aotearoa winners
This year’s Women in Security Awards Aotearoa again proved a challenge for its judging panel, with winners across seven categories selected from a high quality field of nominees from across New Zealand’s security and resilience sector.
It is hoped that their award citation narratives will inspire a cohort of deserving nominees to come forward for next year’s Awards:
Contributing to defence and international security:
Associate Professor Anna Powles, Massey University
Associate Professor Anna Powles has been recognised for her work focusing on international security in the Pacific, and particularly in highlighting Pacific Island Country security concepts and imperatives within the context of intensifying strategic competition in the region. Anna’s analysis and commentary on the implications of great power competition within the region and Pacific responses to it enriches academic, policy, and public debate on key security challenges facing New Zealand and the region.
She has played a key role in raising awareness of the challenges through traditional mechanisms and via high levels of online engagement. Her involvement in the “Rules of Engagement: Defence Diplomacy in the Pacific Islands Region” project, and her work in giving visibility to recent great power bilateral developments, are of particular note.
Th rough her commitment, capability, professionalism, advocacy, and leadership, Anna has made a significant contribution to regional security and the security of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Countering incivility and violent extremism:
Kristina Kirk, Christchurch Call Foundation
Kristina Kirk is recognised for her work in leading the Christchurch Call Crisis Response Protocol (CRP) as a Principal Strategic Advisor at the Christchurch Call Foundation. A globally coordinated effort to combat the spread of terrorist and violent extremist content (TVEC) online during online crises, the CRP involves the multistakeholder Call community of governments, technology firms, and civil society.
O ver the past 18 months, Kristina has updated and improved the CRP to ensure it delivers better oversight for collective response with the ability to
Kristina Kirk
share information at speed, coordinate actions and increase agility. This limits the opportunity of malicious actors to use TVEC to dehumanise victims, intimidate or coerce people, radicalise or recruit others, or inspire and incite further violence.
Kristina successfully delivered the CRP update into service in early December 2024, and since then the protocol has been used nine times to assess terrorist and violent extremist incidents around the world.
Safeguarding networks and people online:
Andrea Leask, Netsafe
Andrea Leask is recognised for excellence in leading Netsafe’s national response service to high resolution rates for harmful digital communications complaints despite significant increases in demand.
Associate Professor Anna Powles
Currently Netsafe’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Andrea was previously Chief Digital Harms Officer leading the delivery of a comprehensive helpline for individuals harmed online.
In the year ended 30 June 2024, Netsafe received more than 28,468 reports of online harm, including 6,272 complaints assessed as falling within the scope of the Harmful Digital Communications Act – a 25% year-on-year increase. Despite the increase, through processes that Andrea designed and implemented, the Digital Harms team achieved a resolution rate of 95% for harmful digital communications complaints.
Andrea additionally represents Netsafe on the global stage as Chair for the Oceania chapter of GASA – the Global Anti-Scam Alliance. Andrea has also led the Digital Harms team to consecutive wins in the Non-Profit Support Services category at the CRM Awards in 2023 and 2024.
Preventing crime and protecting communities:
Danica Young and Sophia Bogiatto, New Zealand Police
Danica Young and Sophia Bogiatto are recognised for their individual and combined analytical expertise, commitment, and intelligence-led approach that significantly contributed to the disruption of serious organised crime in Aotearoa.
intelligence professionals within the National Organised Crime Group (NOCG) of New Zealand Police, Danica and Sophia played key roles in supporting Operations Embargo and Delta Blue, which targeted the activities of a major outlaw motorcycle gang (OMG). Their contributions, alongside those of their wider team, supported significant enforcement outcomes against organised crime.
The intelligence efforts of Sophia and Danica directly contributed to 31 criminal charges laid against the gang and its associates; seizure of highpowered firearms, illicit drugs, and millions in criminal assets; and the dismantling of the gang’s leadership.
Their intelligence products crippled the gang’s ability to function, leading
to the voluntary surrender of gang patches by high-ranking members, and gang leaders being taken into custody –reducing their capability to offend.
Securing organisations and infrastructure:
Shirin Kiff, Transdev
Shirin Kiff is recognised for delivering public safety and infrastructure security as a Security Manager with Transdev Wellington Limited. A highly skilled and dedicated Security Manager, Shirin has made significant impact in safeguarding both the public on the Metlink Railway Network and Transdev critical infrastructure.
Shirin has been instrumental in developing security protocols that prevent criminal activities, ensure railway passenger safety, and enhance the overall security of Transdev and Metlink’s operations. Through her leadership, she has fostered a culture of vigilance and accountability, which has led to a significant increase in the reporting of security incidents and the training and equipping of all security personnel to respond swiftly and efficiently to emerging threats.
Her innovative strategies, such as the implementation of advanced surveillance systems and the development of robust emergency response plans, have improved the organisation’s resilience to security risks. Her leadership has not only empowered her team but has also made a profound and lasting impact on the community.
Andrea Leask
Sophia Bogiatto
Shirin Kiff
Danica Young
As
Combatting fraud and misrepresentation:
Sara Stockley-Smith, Westpac Sara Stockley-Smith is recognised for her exceptional contributions and leadership at Westpac New Zealand as the Service Group Owner of Westpac’s Fraud and Financial Crime team. Sara has consistently demonstrated excellence within her role, while also actively promoting technology to young girls and breaking down barriers through her involvement in the ShadowTech.
S ara’s work in the fraud and scam prevention programme has had a profound impact on Westpac’s customers and the community generally. Her work and efforts have
helped mitigate fraud that could otherwise have seriously disrupted the lives of hardworking New Zealanders. By taking a holistic approach to staying ahead of fraudsters and skilfully harnessing the latest fraud prevention techniques and financial crime platforms, Sara has made a tangible difference in the lives of many and has contributed to community resilience against scams.
Responding to natural disaster events:
Jill Priest, FIRST Security
Jill Priest is recognised for her work as FIRST Security’s Bay of Plenty Branch Manager, based in Tauranga.
In this role, Jill is responsible for customers across the Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay and Gisborne. Jill’s holistic and community-minded approach to security and safety puts people first.
Jill has a widely recognised ability to establish meaningful connections with people from all walks of life. She leads by example during business-asusual and in supporting responses to natural disasters, including the direct aftermath to – and long recovery from –Cyclone Gabrielle.
Jill is a previous Women in Security Awards Aotearoa recipient, having won the 2021 ‘Leader’ category, and she was awarded Specialised Security Services Professional of the Year at the 2023 NZSA New Zealand Security Awards.
Nominations for the 2026 Women in Security Awards Aotearoa will open later this year and will be advertised on the Defsec New Zealand website and in Line of Defence Magazine. For more information about the WiSAAs, visit the WiSAA pages on the Defsec website.
Sara Stockley-Smith
Jill Priest
Women in Security Awards Aotearoa: Winners Announced!
High calibre category winners and highly commended finalists from across New Zealand’s security and resilience sectors recognised in the 2025 Women in Security Awards Aotearoa.
In its fifth year, Women in Security Awards Aotearoa (WiSAA) has once again proven a challenge for its judging panel with a high quality field of nominees from across New Zealand’s security and resilience sector.
Organised by Defsec New Zealand and supported by the New Zealand Security Sector Network (NZSSN) and several security sector industry and professional associations, the WiSAA initiative was established in 2020 to recognise women who are leading the way in protecting New Zealanders.
This year also saw the Awards partner with UN Women Aotearoa New Zealand to raise awareness around issues of security, safety, and resilience in the context of gender equality and women’s empowerment.
“It’s not only inspiring to read the nominations that have been submitted this year but also quite moving to say the least,” said judging panel representative and 2020 WiSAA alumna Ngaire Kelaher CPP PSP.
“The quality of the submissions have been exceptional and it reinforces why recognition opportunities such as the Women in Security Awards Aotearoa are vital to the sector – not only to provide a means to have these amazing individuals recognised but also to share their stories, uplift and inspire others, and celebrate the amazing work that is being done in Aotearoa.”
Nominees must be women, or identify as women, have more than
three years of experience in a security or resilience-related profession, and be actively practising in Aotearoa New Zealand or working overseas in a New Zealand-focused role. This year’s WiSAAs winners are spread across seven categories.
And the winners are…
1. Contributing to defence and international security: Associate Professor Anna Powles, Massey University.
2. Countering incivility and violent extremism: Kristina Kirk, Christchurch Call.
3. Safeguarding networks and people online: Andrea Leask, Netsafe.
4. Preventing crime and protecting communities: Danica Young and Sophia Bogiatto, New Zealand Police.
5. Securing organisations and infrastructure: Shirin Kiff, Transdev.
6. Combatting fraud and
misrepresentation: Sara StockleySmith, Westpac.
7. Responding to natural disaster events: Jill Priest, FIRST Security.
“The nominees in the 2025 cohort continue to demonstrate the high calibre of security and risk practitioners across Aotearoa New Zealand,” said Andrew Thorburn, WiSAA co-founder and NZSSN representative.
“These nominees and their stories also provide evidence of how relevant and important these awards are,” he said.
Highly commended finalists in this year’s awards include Su Kaur, Jacinta Mooney, and Angelina Riley from FIRST Security, and Amber Gillies and Teresa Smith from Vault Security.
According to the organisers, this year’s WiSAA category winners and highly commended finalists have been notified of their achievement, and several of them were presented with their award certificates as part of their organisations’ International Women’s Day events.
Robbie Jones joins the Wesco Anixter Enterprise Team in New Zealand
Robbie Jones has joined Wesco Anixter (formerly Atlas Gentech) in the position of Enterprise Solutions Specialist, based in Wellington.
Robbie Jones has joined the Wesco Anixter Enterprise team of subject matter experts to deliver internal and external project support to partners and end user clients.
He comes to his new role with more than 15 years of experience in manufacturer sales, technology integration and strategic operational advisory roles, including in physical security procurement and specification writing for New Zealand Government organisations.
Robbie most recently served as Technical Sales Representative for a technology manufacturer in the Central Region, where he was also an internal lead advisor on high security projects.
“I’m excited to join Wesco Anixter and assist in strengthening value-added relationships with system integrators, consultants, and end users across New Zealand,” said Robbie.
“This role gives me the opportunity to develop truly bespoke solutions with global leading brands across intruder detection, access control and video technologies,” he said.
“It will be great to work within a global organisation that supports regionally relevant value-added supply chain services and ‘all of business’ technology outcomes, whilst at the same time providing me with further professional development across the security risk management discipline.”
It is anticipated that Robbie’s extensive security risk management
background will equip him to deliver best in class support in the evolving landscape of converged physical, personnel and information (cyber) security.
“Key factors in accepting this position included the professional development Wesco Anixter offers in conjunction with their leading global technology partners,” he explained. “Their mission to connect, power, and protect the world resonates with me and it’s something I want to be a part of.”
“The security and operational success of our customers lie within our collective ability to maintain trusted, long-term partnerships,” said Andrew Thorburn, Wesco Anixter’s Enterprise Security and Risk Manager.
“Our agile team is committed to supporting our partners, end users, and consultants through a value focussed, threat-driven, risk-based, and operationally focussed approach,” he said.
“Robbie has demonstrated that he can engage with all organisational stakeholders and embodies our promise to continually bring problem solving and innovative thinking needed to address clients most important challenges and by delivering solutions that move us all forward. I can’t wait to support Robbie on his personal development journey and learn of his and our clients’ successes.”
Robbie joined the Wesco Anixter team in New Zealand as of Monday the 10th of February.
Inner Range strengthening commitments to Integriti
Inner Range announces expanded investment in its flagship enterprise solution, growing integration ecosystem and pursuing AI and cloud innovations.
Inner Range has announced a significant expansion of resources to enhance its flagship enterprise solution, Integriti.
“In recent months, we have created a new team of software engineers dedicated to expanding the capabilities of our Integriti (unified or enterprise) technology platform,” said Gabriel Daher, VP and MG of Inner Range.
“One key focus of our expanding investment is our extensive ecosystem of integrations, ensuring that Integriti seamlessly connects with the industry’s leading technologies to deliver unmatched functionality and futureproof flexibility.”
“Integriti is a key component of Inner Range’s long-term technology roadmap,” Daher added. “Integriti Enterprise Software is at the forefront of Inner Range’s technology roadmap.”
“Our ongoing investment is focused on advancing the latest innovations, including AI, cloud connectivity, and intelligent automation. Positioned at the core of our unified technology platform, Integriti continues to evolve,
ensuring we deliver the most cuttingedge, seamlessly integrated security solution on the market.”
Stay tuned for what’s coming next, where Inner Range’s Director of Products, Steve Mitchell, will reveal details on upcoming integrations and an exciting major release of Integriti Enterprise Software in the second half of 2025 – setting new benchmarks for unified security solutions.
Alarm installers, are you leaving money on the table?
Re-selling alarm monitoring builds a more attractive business and earns you more money, writes Re-selling alarm monitoring builds a more attractive business and earns you more money, writes Alarm Watch CEO Wade Coneybeer.
If you’re an alarm installer who doesn’t currently resell alarm monitoring, you’re leaving money on the table. Beyond just the initial install, alarm monitoring provides a steady stream of recurring revenue, strengthens customer relationships, and makes you look good.
One of the biggest advantages of re-selling alarm monitoring is the ability to generate consistent, repeating income. Unlike a one-off installation job, monitoring creates a revenue stream that grows over time.
Alarm monitoring providers offer wholesale rates to alarm installers, allowing them to set their own margins and invoice their customers directly. This is a fantastic way to build financial stability, especially during slower
periods or economic downturns, such as during COVID.
Many alarm installers lose touch with their customers after the initial installation. Re-selling ongoing alarm monitoring keeps your brand visible and maintains a relationship with your clients. They’ll see your logo regularly, know who to call for technical support, and come to you when they need upgrades or system expansions.
This keeps your service front of mind, making it easier to generate additional business while also increasing customer retention. Clients who stay engaged with your services are less likely to switch to another provider, increasing loyalty.
By monitoring the systems you install, you get notified of any system faults. Instead of waiting for a customer to notice the beeping keypad and call you, monitoring gives you the
Wade Coneybeer is CEO of Alarm Watch.
opportunity to proactively reach out and schedule service calls like replacing the battery or improving the exit delay time.
This results in more technical work, helping to keep your techs busy. Plus, if a customer moves house or upgrades their system, you’ll be the first person they call, ensuring another install and ongoing monitoring.
The power of alarm monitoring is in the numbers. Even with a small client base, the income quickly adds up:
• 25 clients at $20 profit per month = $500 per month ($6,000 per year)
• 50 clients at $20 profit per month = $1,000 per month ($12,000 per year)
• 100 clients at $20 profit per month = $2,000 per month ($24,000 per year)
• 250 clients at $20 profit per month = $5,000 per month ($60,000 per year)
This ongoing income stream provides financial stability, reduces reliance on new installations, and creates long-term value for your business.
When it comes time to sell your business, a monitoring database adds significant value. Businesses with recurring revenue models are far more attractive to buyers. Predictable cash flow reduces business risk and
increases valuation multiples, making your company more appealing when it comes time to sell.
Some installers don’t think long term, but a few clients each year start to add up. When it’s time to sell, the value of your monitoring database becomes clear.
Monitoring database buyers typically pay a multiple of the monthly invoice amount when purchasing monitoring accounts. Historically, this multiple has ranged from 15 to over 30 times the monthly fee.
For example, if you charge $40 per month per client:
• A 15x valuation means each account is worth $600
• A 20x valuation means each account is worth $800
• A 28x valuation means each account is worth $1,120
Over time, even a modest number of monitoring clients can lead to a substantial payout when you decide to sell your business. But beyond the eventual sale value, the ongoing profit from monitoring adds up significantly.
If your profit per client is $20 per month, that’s $240 per year. With the average client staying for seven years, that equates to $1,680 in total profit per client—before even considering the resale value. A few clients every year quickly becomes worth asking
the simple question “Do you want monitoring?”
If you bring in just 10 new monitoring clients per year, after 10 years, you’ll have 100 clients:
• With each client generating $20 profit per month, that’s $2,000 per month or $24,000 per year in recurring profit
• If you decide to sell, those 100 accounts at a 20x valuation would be worth $80,000 in a lump sum payout
• When you add the ongoing profit earned over time, the total value of those 100 clients easily exceeds $250,000
That’s the power of combining steady income with a valuable business asset. Even a small number of monitoring clients quickly turns into serious money.
Many alarm installers face challenges from clients who prefer self-monitoring. While self-monitoring has a place in the market, making it the default option means saying goodbye to your recurring income. Self-monitoring has several downsides: Clients must live on their phones, constantly checking alerts. Most notifications get lost in the noise, increasing the risk of missing actual threats. Insurers don’t recognise self-monitored systems for discounts.
If you focus on selling selfmonitoring over professional monitoring, you’re cutting yourself out of long-term revenue. Instead, position professional monitoring as the primary option and offer self-monitoring only when it genuinely suits the customer’s needs.
One of the biggest advancements in alarm monitoring is video verification services. These services are breathing new life into professional monitoring by allowing both the monitoring operator and the customer to view live camera footage during an alarm activation. This significantly reduces false alarms and unnecessary guard callouts.
Re-selling alarm monitoring builds a more attractive business and earns you more money. If you’re not already offering alarm monitoring, it is really easy to change that!
Resources on foreign interference to support ethnic communities
The Ministry for Ethnic Communities has released resources to support people in New Zealand who may be subject to foreign interference.
Foreign interference is listed as a core national security issue in New Zealand’s National Security Strategy 2023-2028. It has the potential to impact government and electoral systems, the economy, academia, media, communities, sensitive technology and information, and national infrastructure.
Interference activities by foreign states and their supporters tend to be coercive, corrupt, deceptive, or secretive, and they can make communities feel unsafe and infringe on their rights.
The Ministry for Ethnic Communities, as part of an allof government work programme to tackle foreign interference, has released resources in 24 languages with information about foreign interference in New Zealand, rights in New Zealand, how to report foreign interference, and keeping safe online. The resources also include information about the draft Crimes (Countering Foreign Interference) Amendment Bill and examples of foreign interference including case studies from the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS).
“Foreign interference impacts the safety and security of everyone in New Zealand,” Ethnic Communities Minister Mark Mitchell said.
“Some of our Ethnic Communities in New Zealand are receiving unwanted attention from foreign states aiming to suppress their protected rights and freedoms, including their right to freedom of expression.
Some ethnic communities have raised concerns about foreign interference with New Zealand government agencies.
“In my role as the Minister for Ethnic Communities, I want to acknowledge that our Ethnic Communities’ resilience is a national security asset to all of New Zealand,” said Mr Mitchell.
“The New Zealand public being alert to the threat of foreign interference is a strength. We want to encourage more open conversations and vigilance. We can all help keep New Zealand safe by telling NZSIS or Police about any concerning behaviour or activity.
“I am committed to delivering practical support that will help our communities to withstand foreign interference and to ask for help when they need.”
“This first release of resources will shine a light on foreign interference. There is more work to be done,” says Mr Mitchell.
The Ministry for Ethnic Communities plans to engage with ethnic communities to learn about their experiences of foreign interference, how it impacts them and what support they need. It plans to release additional resources and guidance later in the year.
Communities seeking to formally report foreign interference can report it to the NZSIS via the NZSIS website. Personal information and contact details don’t have to be provided.
Community Resources are available on the Ministry for Ethnic Communities website.
NZSA CEO’s March Newsletter
In this monthly update, NZSA CEO Gary Morrison covers a Special General Meeting, Intruder Alarm Systems standard review, Ministerial Advisory Group on Retail Crime, School Gateway Programme, and more.
Gary Morrison is CEO of the New Zealand Security Association (NZSA). A qualified accountant, Gary was GM of Armourguard Security for New Zealand and Fiji prior to establishing Icon Security Group.
Whilst our economy may be struggling with inertia, the same can’t be said for the security industry where we seem to have started the year at full speed. Hopefully you will find the commentary below beneficial in keeping you briefed and informed on some pretty important developments and initiatives that are currently in play.
SGM (Special General Meeting) to approve NZSA Constitution changes
In our last newsletter I referred to our implementation of a new strategic plan that is built around three key strategic objectives:
1. Enabling a stronger, smarter, and more effective security industry.
2. Advocating for an accountable, safe and thriving security industry.
3. Listening to, understanding, and promoting our industry and stakeholders.
Aligned with the objective of enabling a stronger, smarter and more effective security industry, we will place more emphasis on lifting standards within the industry and on the member Accreditation (audit) process.
Next month we will be holding an online SGM (Special General Meeting) where we will seek member approval to changes in our constitution (rules) that will include the introduction of a Provisional Corporate Member class and the requirement for all classes of Corporate members to conduct an
annual self-audit process against the NZSA Codes of Practice.
Information on the proposed changes will be communicated early next month and we encourage all corporate members to review the content and to have your vote on approving or declining the recommendations being put forward.
AGM – Seeking new Independent Chairperson and Board Member
Whilst the 2025 AGM (Annual General Meeting) is still some five and a half months away, we will begin the process of replacing our Independent Chairperson, Gray Paterson, within the next few days with listings on the Appoint and Institute of Directors sites and with the intent of having our new Independent Chairperson commencing in the role at the AGM on 19 August. Gray was appointed as our first Independent Chairperson in 2020 and is standing down on completion of his second term. He has been instrumental in lifting the performance and professionalism of our board, and in ensuring a strong and robust approach to both governance and strategy.
Minimum Wage changes 1st April
Members are reminded that as of 1 April 2025, the minimum wage will increase to $23.50 gross per hour. This is an increase of $0.35 from the current rate of $23.15.
NZSA Member Survey
Late last year we contacted our members and asked for them to participate in an online survey. We received an exceptional response and
over January and February our small interview team conducted interviews with close to 25% of our corporate members.
Please refer to the following section for a summary of the key out-takes and to access the Detailed Analysis and Recommendations Report.
AS/NZS Standards Review –Intruder Alarm Systems
The NZSA is a strong advocate for the use of Standards, Guidelines and Codes of Practice in providing clear, consistent and accessible guidance/ direction on what constitutes good practice.
For the New Zealand market, the AS/NZS (Australian and New Zealand Standards) have most influence, and it is critical that they are regularly reviewed and updated so as to maintain relevancy.
The NZSA was recently contacted by Standards NZ seeking funding for the upcoming review of joint standard AS/NZS 22011.1:2007 Intruder Alarm Systems, Part 1: Client Premises – Design, Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance. The cost has been estimated to be in the vicinity of $24,000 and unless the funding costs are underwritten, Standards NZ will not seek involvement and NZ representation on the review committee will be precluded (in Australia all costs are covered by Standards Australia).
This Standard is fundamental to the Electronic Security Sector and requires urgent review given the technology and
service changes that have transpired since 2007.
On that basis the NZSA has agreed to fund 50% of the cost, alongside Gallagher who are contributing 25%, and to give certainty to Standards NZ to proceed, we have agreed to underwrite the remaining 25% whilst we seek further industry support.
If you are interesting in contributing towards the cost, please contact either myself on gary@security. org.nz or Shaayal Suku on Shaayal. Sukul@mbie.govt.nz.
We will also keep members advised on any significant changes to the Standard as part of the review process.
Ministerial Advisory Group Retail Crime – Powers for Security Officers
Mid last year the Coalition Government announced the formation of a Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) tasked with tackling retail crime and ensuring there are 20,000 fewer victims of violent crime by 2029 and reducing serious repeat youth offending by 15%.
The members of the group were appointed in September under the Chairmanship of Sunny Kaushal.
Since that time the NZSA has met with the MAG on a number of occasions and provided a number of submissions on a number of areas, including the use of FRT (Facial Recognition Technology), the Trespass Act, the Crimes Act and powers of security officers and the Arms Act.
NZSA members have been invited to attend a Ministerial Update and we are expectant of positive announcements on the powers extended to security officers and the protections provided to them.
Details of the announcements will be made available to our members and stakeholders.
Protection for Frontline Workers
As mentioned in the item above, the NZSA has been a strong advocate for the provision of stronger protections from assault for security officers and other frontline staff.
It is important that government, and society as a whole, sends a strong message that any assault, be it verbal or physical, on a frontline worker is unacceptable, and will not be tolerated.
Other jurisdictions around the world have enacted tough sentences for this type of offending and we are very hopeful that similar measures will be adopted here in the very near future.
PSPLA Report
In November last year the PSPLA convened a Stewardship Group meeting that brought together key industry stakeholders and representatives to discuss the current status of the licensing regime and to help in identifying the work still required to ensure the PSPLA and the empowering Act are fit for purpose given the significant changes in the security industry and the growing demands on private security businesses and their workers.
Some key take-outs from the stewardship report include (Note – not everyone who has a valid certificate or licence is currently working in the industry):
• 31,000 certificate of approval holders
• 1,530 temporary certificate holders
• 730 Individual licence holders
• 1,529 Company licence holders
• 11,654 Applications processed in the 23/24 year (up 12%)
• 5,916 Temporary CoAs issued in the 23/24 year
• 4,841 CoAs issued in 23/24 year
• 369 Objections to licence applications filed in 23/24 year (same as year prior)
• 186 Complaints filed in 23/24 year (up 40%)
• 62 CIPU Investigations completed in 23/24 year (including 5 convictions and 6 with charges pending)
• Only 62% of applications for CoAs have a full CoA granted
The NZSA is pleased to be a leading participant within the Stewardship Group and we look forward to further engagement as we progress proposed changes to the Act.
PSPLA Licensing Decisions
One of the initiatives implemented by Trish McConnell, Registrar for the PSPLA, is the publication of all complaint decisions on the PSPLA website.
This has bought a high degree of transparency to the complaints process and also evidences the work performed by the licensing authority, and the CIPU team (Criminal investigations and prosecutions unit) within the DIA, however it also means that those decisions are open to reporting by the mainstream media.
One recent example of this was the reporting of a case involving Sultan Alfathly, an individual known to have close association with the HeadHunters gang, and the decision by the Registrar not to revoke his CoA, despite a complaint being filed by the Police.
We understand that there was some complexity behind the decision,
including Police filing their objection three weeks late, however from an industry perspective it is very damaging to our reputation and our credibility when individuals with close gang affiliations can be allowed to work in the industry.
We have raised this issue with the Registrar and will push strongly for greater controls and standards as part of the review of the Act.
ACC Premiums
Late last year the government announced that it has approved changes to ACC’s levy rates and the levy system for the next three years. The first of these changes will come into effect on 1 April 2025.
As we reported in our December newsletter, this will have a significant impact onto the protective security sector. Whilst the changes will see an average increase of 14% over the three year period, the use of weighting factors will mean an increase of 42.6% over the three years for protective security providers (guards, patrols, event security and CIT).
Correspondingly, electronic security providers are facing an increase of 4.5% over the three years.
The NZSA, alongside many industry associations, made extensive submissions on this but without success.
OSPAs Awards Event
Nominations are now open for the 2025 NZ OSPA’s (Outstanding Security Performance Awards) and I’m pleased to be a Judge for this year’s awards.
The OSPAs are an international event and there are 15 categories open for security professionals, organisations and teams across New Zealand. Winners from eligible categories at the 2025 NZ OSPAs will also automatically qualify for the Global OSPA’s in 2026. Entries must be submitted by 8 April.
It is important to note that the OSPAs do not replace or supplant the NZ Security Awards hosted by the NZSA and the awards function to be held on 26 September this
year at the Grand Millennium in Auckland.
We support all initiatives and events that recognise the fantastic work performed by those in the security industry and look forward to celebrating the winners from both the OSPAs and the NZ Security Awards.
Find out more and submit your entries by 8 April here.
School Gateway Programme
The NZSA is proud to be partnering again with The Learning Place (TLP) in promoting School Gateway Security Placements.
The Gateway Programme allows students to gain real-world security experience by working one day a week for a limited time in a professional security setting.
TLP provides a three-day Secondary School Security Course that covers 20 NCEA credits in security training, including the CoA Unit/ Skill Standards, and then collaborates with participating employers to provide the students with practical workplace experience.
The benefits to participating employers include supporting the development of skilled future employees, contributing to the growth and professionalism of the security industry, strengthening company ties with the local community and schools, and potential recruitment opportunities.
Employers who are interested in participating in the Gateway Programme are encouraged to contact Trudy Quirk on trudy@ thelearningplace.co.nz
NZSA Membership Subscriptions
As a membership organisation we place extreme value on retaining and attracting members and are very mindful of the costs of the current economic climate. Therefore we have only increased membership subscriptions by a nominal amount of 2.5% to cover the increased costs of inflation (please note we did not put through an increase last year).
As always, we welcome all comments and feedback on NZSA or industry issues and activity.
Latest security life savers recognised
Security personnel are often first responders to incidents and emergency situations, and the actions that they take can directly lead to the saving of lives.
The New Zealand Security Association’s Saved a Life Medal programme recognises our industry’s security personnel who face the daily potential of making critical decisions or taking action to save a life or property.
Actions that qualify for the award of a Saved a Life Medal include:
• Assisting or removing a person, or persons, from life threatening situations
• Providing care to a person, or persons, that has resulting in their surviving life-threatening injuries
• Preventing a person, or persons, from causing life threatening harm to others
• Preventing a person, or persons from causing life threatening harm to themselves
• Identifying and removing risks that if unmitigated, could have caused life threatening harm to others
Nominations for the Saved a
Life Medal can be made at any time via the NZSA website. The NZSA welcomes nominations from employers, customers, work colleagues, emergency service providers and members of the public who can verify that the actions of a Security Officer, or a Security Team, directly contributed to the saving of a life.
All nominations are assessed by the NZSA executive, and recipients of the Saved a Life Medal are recognised and profiled in the bi-monthly NZSA newsletter and on the NZSA social media platforms, and they also receive an inscribed award.
Recipients of the Saved a Life Medal are also honoured with a roll call at the annual New Zealand Security Awards event.
The most recent recipients of the NZSA Saved a Life Medal include:
Saved a Life Medal:
Joseph Sapatu-Bell
Security Officer Joseph Sapatu-Bell is employed by FIRST Security and was on duty at the Henderson Train station in December 2024 when he was required to respond to a lifethreatening incident.
At approximately 00:21 hours Joseph heard a loud bang outside of the station and went to investigate. As he exited the station, he saw a white Honda van leaving the scene and
a young male (later identified as being 14 years old) lying on the road covered in blood and with his distressed family gathering around him.
After checking the boy’s vital statistics, Joseph immediately contacted the Ambulance and Police services, as well as notifying AOR Station Control. He then stayed at the scene, trying to calm the family and ensure the injured boy was not moved, as he was unaware of the injuries that he had sustained.
On arrival of the Police, Joseph provided a formal statement whilst Paramedics resuscitated the injured boy in the ambulance. He then assisted Police in cordoning off the immediate area and restricting access.
Whilst a shocking incident, Joseph’s quick action ensured the boy survived his injuries and Police were able to use the details he provided in making a quick arrest of the driver of the vehicle.
Saved a Life Medal:
Agi Paungatama
Security Officer Agi Paungatama works for FIRST Security on the AOR Train Network contract.
At approximately 1:50am on 28 September 2024 Agi was on duty at Middlemore Train Station when he observed one of the Middlemore Hospital in-house security officers running towards the pedestrian bridge above the station.
Sensing the urgency of the situation, Security Officer Agi made his way to the overbridge where he found a young girl
Pictured above: Joseph Sapatu-Bell
on the roof of a shed and attempting to self-harm. The area was directly above live electric wires and a train about to depart the station.
Security Officer Agi quickly climbed onto the shed and managed to secure the girl from behind and ensured her safety with a combination of calming words and restraint techniques. After spending some time calming the girl, Agi along with several of the hospital security staff were able to escort her from the immediate area and the hospital staff then took her back to the hospital for further assistance and observation.
Saved a Life (Highly Commended) –
Colin Nimmo
On 30 December 2024 Armourguard Security Officer
Colin Nimmo was working at the Upper Hutt Railway Station. Approximately 11.50pm he noticed that a member of the public, who appeared to be very intoxicated, had jumped onto the tracks and was attempting to wave down an approaching train.
Recognising the immediate danger and with the assistance of a nearby train cleaner, Colin yelled at the individual to climb back onto the platform and then ran down the platform towards the train to alert the driver of the situation.
Thankfully the individual managed to return to the platform and the train was able to safely dock.
Saved a Life (Highly Commended) –
Barry Houia
On Friday 6 December 2024, Armourguard Security Officer
Barry Houia, a Day Guard at the Wellington Railway Station, demonstrated exceptional composure, initiative, and quick thinking during a medical emergency.
Responding to a radio call for assistance, Barry arrived at the platform where an elderly woman, Carol, was unwell. Barry calmed the immediate by-standers and then engaged in conversation with Carol to ascertain her symptoms, which he astutely identified as potentially linked to type 2 diabetes – a condition he recognised from personal experience.
Barry was able to confirm this through Carol’s emergency phone alert and then utilised his first aid training to provide immediate care. With the assistance of by-standers Barry was able to source sugary items including lollies and a can of coke, which helped stabilise Carol until paramedics arrived. Barry was able to brief the ambulance team, ensuring a seamless handover and prompt transfer to hospital for further care.
Pictured L-R: Agi Paungatama and Nick Gibbs, GM Strategic Services
Pictured L-R: David Tombs (General Manager), Colin Nimmo, Christopher Gray (Wellington Operations Manager), Armourguard Security
Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority enforcing the Act
Already in 2025 the PSPLA has posted 31 decisions it has made so far this year relating to objections against licence/CoA applications and complaints against licence/ CoA holders.
As noted in NZSA CEO Gary Morrison’s March newsletter, there were 369 objections to licence applications filed with the PSPLA in the year 2023/24, 186 complaints filed, and 62 CIPU team (Criminal Investigations and Prosecutions Unit within the DIA) Investigations completed, including five convictions and six with charges pending.
The 186 complaints represent a 40% increase on the previous year.
Reasons for complaints can include a security operator not having a licence or CoA for the class of work they’re doing, not wearing a visible identification badge while working, not giving the name and address of their employer, not completing training, breaking a condition of their licence or certificate, and misconduct or gross negligence.
Additionally, there are reasons covered under section 62 or section 63 of the Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Act 2010 (PSPPI Act), which include things like criminal convictions, driving disqualifications and licences that have been cancelled or suspended in the past.
The grounds for making an objection include the applicant’s character, circumstances or background, as well as the things
covered under the abovementioned section 62 and section 63 of the PSPPI Act.
The following is a small selection of recent PSPLA decisions (acronyms rather than full names used:
[2025] NZPSPLA 032 – 28 March 2025
According to the Police, SM was guilty of misconduct and no longer suitable to hold a CoA because he (i) breached the PSPPI Act by not displaying his security identification badge so that it was reasonably visible while he was working as a security guard, and (ii) is subject to a warrant for arrest for unpaid fines of over $6,000.
The Police stated that on 08 February 2025 Mr M was working as a crowd controller at a bar and wearing his security ID with the photograph side facing towards him so that the required information wasn’t showing.
The Registrar stated that Mr M had held a CoA for almost twelve years “and should be fully aware that he is required to wear his security ID so that it is reasonably visible while he is working as a crowd controller.”
Police provided evidence that there was a warrant out for Mr M’s arrest due to failure to pay fines for multiple vehicle and driving infringements. Mr M had made little if any effort to pay any of these fines.
The Registrar found that Mr M contravened section 67 of the Act by failing to wear his security ID properly. In addition, as he was subject to a warrant for continually failing to pay fines, she found Mr M guilty of misconduct and no longer suitable to work as a security guard.
The Registrar reprimanded Mr M and suspended his CoA for two years. She stated that Mr M may apply to have the suspension revoked and his certificate reinstated at any time by filing evidence that he has started paying off his fines and had the fines warrant cancelled. He must also provide a written undertaking that he will comply with the requirement to wear his security ID so that the photograph side is reasonably visible.
Trish McConnell, PSPLA
[2025] NZPSPLA 023 – 28 February 2025
A member of the public laid a complaint against Mr MS regarding an event on 19 January 2025. The complainant stated that whilst working in traffic management, Mr MS was engaging argumentatively with a member of public and used a raised voice and swore. When confronted by the complainant, he allegedly became defensive and hostile, swore and called her racist.
She stated Mr MS’ customer interaction and people skills are poor and that he reacted in an unnecessarily hostile manner, and submitted that he is guilty of unsatisfactory conduct or conduct that is unbecoming of a security worker pursuant to section 74 of the Act.
The Registrar noted that at the time of this incident Mr MS was not working in a security role, although he was wearing his COA. She further
noted that there was no supporting evidence for the complaint, such as correspondence from Mr MS’s employer, the original person he was in a discussion with or his manager, and that Mr MS had held a CoA since 2022 apparently without incident.
However, the registrar accepted the complainant’s version of events on the basis that there was no response from Mr MS contradicting the allegations.
The Registrar stated that using swear words in interactions with members of the public whilst wearing a CoA “is not conduct a reasonable member of the public is entitled to expect from a reasonably competent certificate holder.”
In making a finding of unsatisfactory conduct against Mr MS, the Registrar considered that it is appropriate to reprimand him given that he was not working in security at the time.
[2025] NZPSPLA 024 – 28 February 2025
On 20 December 2024 Mr S was convicted of assault, impeding breathing, threatening to kill, operating a vehicle carelessly and driving with excess breath alcohol. He was sentenced to 1 year of Home Detention and disqualified from driving for six months. Police are asking for Mr S’s certificate and an associated company licence to be cancelled.
As Mr S’s convictions include convictions for offences of violence, the Registrar stated that there are mandatory grounds for disqualification under s 62 of the Act. Therefore, unless waiver from the grounds for disqualification is granted, Mr S’s convictions are a mandatory ground for the cancellation of his certificate. Mr S neither applied for waiver nor provided any other information to show that he is still suitable to hold a certificate.
Mr S’s offending was serious, as can be seen from the sentence he received,” stated the Registrar. “I do not consider that someone who has used this level of violence within a family situation is suitable to work as
a security guard, particularly while they are serving a lengthy sentence of home detention.”
The Registrar cancelled Mr S’s certificate of approval it is accordingly cancelled. The associated security company was removed from the Companies Register in September 2024, and as the company is no longer registered or operated, its security licence was also cancelled.
[2025] NZPSPLA 026 – 05 March 2025
In August 2023 Police made a complaint against MSM as he was facing two charges of ill treating or neglecting a child under 18. The offending occurred while Mr SM was working in a security related role at a youth residence.
Other than suspending Mr SM’s certificate of approval the complaint was put on hold until there was an outcome on the charges.
Mr SM was convicted on both charges on 26 February 2025 and sentenced to 100 hours community work on each charge. These convictions are mandatory grounds for disqualification under the Act.
Police are asking for Mr SM’s security certificate to be cancelled as they say his offending shows that he is no longer suitable to work as a security guard.
Mr SM’s certificate expired on 26 February 2025, and he has not applied to renew it. The Registrar, therefore, closed the complaint without any other penalty being imposed on the condition that if Mr SM applies for a new CoA in the next two years the police complaint will be transferred to the new application and treated as an objection.
[2025] NZPSPLA 029 – 12 March 2025
The police made a complaint against THR as he had recently been the primary aggressor in a family harm incident. At the request of the victim charges were not laid against Mr R although he had punched the victim in the face several times.
Mr R did not attend the hearing, nor did he file any written response, references, or other information in
reply to the police complaint. Attempts to contact Mr R following the hearing were unsuccessful.
“The evidence before me establishes that Mr R has anger issues which become more serious after he has been drinking alcohol. This is not a desirable characteristic for a security guard,” stated the Registrar.
“Mr R’s security work requires him to respond calmly to any provocation and to de-escalate tense and volatile situations and not create them. If Mr R wants to continue to work in security, he needs to learn to control
his temper and not respond with violence.”
The Registrar accepted the police suggestion that conditions be imposed on Mr R’s CoA and that he be issued with a formal warning. She further ordered that Mr R undertake an anger management training and attend advanced de-escalation training within nine months of the date of the decision.
Failure provide evidence that he has successfully completed this training by 30 November 2025 could result in his certificate being suspended until such time as he meets these conditions.
Survey: 36% believe AI can improve physical security but only 7% use it
Fifth annual research report by remote video monitoring provider Pro-Vigil finds that 36% believe AI can improve physical security, but 54% “don’t know”.
Published in January, Pro-Vigil’s “The State of Physical Security Entering 2025” research report The fifth annual report found that while 36% of respondents agree that artificial intelligence (AI) can improve physical security, only 7% have actually adopted it in their physical security strategy.
42% of business owners were concerned about using AI in their physical security strategies with the top concerns being that someone could use it maliciously or for privacy violations (16%) or how the data would be used (16%).
While these numbers are better than in years’ past, it shows that AI still has awareness gains to be made before more organisations adopt it.
To better understand the physical security threats businesses are facing, and what they’re doing to combat them,
Pro-Vigil surveyed operations leaders across a range of industries including construction, dealerships (car/truck/ boat/RV), retail, manufacturing, and more.
For the purposes of the report, physical security is defined as the act of protecting physical locations and assets (e.g. buildings, lots, construction sites, tools, machinery, etc.) from adversaries who seek to commit physical crimes.
In addition to AI, key findings from the survey include:
Increase in Physical Security Incidents
Overall, respondents indicated a slight increase in physical security incidents (12%) over 2023, with 91% reporting incidents either increased or stayed the same in 2024. They cited damage to assets (25%), project delays (22%) and impact to inventory (20%) as the top impacts.
Rising local crime rates (23%) was by far the top concern for respondents. The state of the economy came in second at 15%.
Nevertheless, 42% of respondents stated that they had not experienced a security incident in 2024.
Spotlight on Surveillance
When asked how their security strategy changed last year, 47% of respondents indicated they installed security cameras, and 12% implemented RVM solutions. Another 19% installed fencing, with both new alarm systems and access control systems commanding 11%.
Organisations indicated they use existing video monitoring infrastructure for other needs, including monitoring worksite conditions (39%).
Looking Ahead
More than half (53%) of respondents said they are more worried about crime than a year ago. Nearly a quarter (23%) predict physical security incidents at their business will increase.
The report is available on Pro-Vigil’s website.
Founded in 2006, Pro-Vigil provides AI-enabled remote video monitoring (RVM) solutions to organisations in North America. Unlike typical RVM services that require customers to make up-front capital investments in equipment and installation, Pro-Vigil delivers Video Monitoring as a Service, where customers simply pay a monthly fee for monitoring services.
Business groups and unions say no to citizen’s arrest reform
The Government is looking to reform the Crimes Act by giving businesses more powers to detain those stealing from them, but business and employee groups are against it, writes chief editor Nicholas Dynon.
Nicholas Dynon is chief editor of NZSM, and a widely published commentator on New Zealand’s defence, national security and private security sectors.
The Government announced its proposed reform to the Crimes Act in late February off the back of recommendations provided by the Ministerial Advisory Group for Victims of Retail Crime, a group established by Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Associate Minister Nicole McKee on 11 July 2024.
Citing statistics pointing to significant increases in retail crime over the past five years, Mr Goldsmith took aim at what he sees as limitations in the existing legislation around citizen’s arrest powers.
“Currently, no one, including retailers and security guards, is protected from civil or criminal liability if they arrest and detain a
person stealing goods valued at less than $1,000 during the day,” said Mr Goldsmith. “The operation of the Crimes Act 1961 hinders people from stopping offending as it occurs right in front of them.”
Proposed reforms include amending the Crimes Act so that citizens can intervene to stop any Crimes Act offence at any time of the day, clarifying that restraints can be used when reasonable when making an arrest, and changing the defence of property provisions to the Crimes Act so it is clear that reasonable force may be used.
“This initial package of reforms, put forward by the Ministerial Advisory Group for victims of retail crime, will give Kiwi businesses additional tools to deal with those that are robbing them of their livelihood and economic growth,” said Mr Goldsmith.
It is the first of a suite of initiatives put forward by the Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) that the Government says it will be implementing.
But it’s a rocky start for the five-member MAG, comprised of Shakespeare Hotel Director Sunny Kaushal (Chair), Michael Hill National Retail Manager Michael Bell, liquor retailer Eight PM founder Ash Parmar, Foodstuffs North Island General Manager Membership and Property Lindsay Rowles, and Retail New Zealand CEO Carolyn Young. MAG member and Retail CEO Carolyn Young has already spoken out against the MAG’s recommended citizen’s arrest reforms.
Retailers strongly opposed
In a 26 February media release titled, “Retail NZ says citizens’ arrests will worsen violence in stores”, Retail NZ voiced “grave fears” around the proposals “to empower citizens’ arrests, including the use of physical restraints.”
Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young says the majority of Retail NZ members are strongly opposed to the proposals, stated the media release. Ms Young is a member of the MAG but does not speak on its behalf.”
“As part of Retail NZ’s efforts to combat retail crime, we have been exploring whether extending powers of detention beyond Police would be a solution. The great majority of members we have consulted have made it clear that only Police should have powers to detain offenders,” Ms Young said.
It is highly likely, states Retail NZ’s media release, that the risk of violence would increase if retail staff, security guards or members of the public attempted to detain offenders.
“As employers, retailers must do everything they can to keep staff safe under the Health & Safety at Work Act. Most retailers train their staff to prioritise their own safety rather than try to recover stolen goods. We cannot condone retail workers putting themselves into dangerous and volatile situations,” Ms Young says.
According to Ms Young, it is unlikely that retail staff or members of the public would have the techniques needed to handle a violent offender, and it is unlikely that Police response times would improve sufficiently to meet the requirements of the proposed Crimes Act amendments.
“We understand that all retailers are frustrated with the level of crime in their stores. However, we believe that
preventative measures, alongside the ability to recover goods and effective trespass laws will be more effective and safer for workers.”
MTA says workers will be placed in danger
The Motor Trade Association has also come out strongly against the proposed changes, stating that the MTA’s service station members are frequent targets of often violent retail crime, but few will support the move.
“There is, unfortunately a risk that this measure will end up placing staff in physical danger, and escalates the risk of confrontation and conflict,” said MTA Chief Executive Lee Marshall.
“Businesses have a duty of care to their employees and obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act and while detaining offenders may now become more legally permissible, most employers will undoubtedly forbid it from the outset,” he said.
“The solution can’t be to put the onus on the business owners themselves, and certainly not on employees.”
MTA wants greater police patrolling of at-risk sites and disqualification from discount for remorse at sentencing for offenders who glorify their crime on social media.
“Police functions under the Policing Act are very clear – and service stations across the country need police to come closer to meeting those obligations,” Mr Marshall said.
According to Mr Marshall, crime is ultimately a symptom of systemic causes, and that government must focus on addressing these causes if it is to make a lasting impact on offending.
“We hope further recommendations [of the MAG] include sharing knowledge between sectors of preventative and de-escalative measures that work, giving employers the tools they need to minimise the chance of crime,” he said.
Union seeing eye to eye with business groups
“If the proposed changes to citizen’s arrests laws are any indication of what is to come, there will be serious implications for worker safety and employment rights in pursuit of minor savings for retailers,” said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff.
The changes will bring about an expectation that frontline workers will step in to prevent shoplifting and retail crime, suggests the NZCTU, and this will increase the risk of violence and undermines workers’ right to a safe and healthy workplace.
“We should be focusing on ways of work that remove hazards from the workplace, not create them,” said Mr Wagstaff. “Employers must work with employees on creating safe workplaces, and what the business will do to achieve that.
“There are serious employment and criminal law concerns for workers and the public by putting workers in harm’s way to save their boss a few bucks. Crimefighting is not within the scope of retail workers’ employment duties.”
Human rights group “deeply disappointed”
Criminal justice sector advocacy group JustSpeak stated it was deeply disappointed by the announcement on the proposed reforms to the laws regarding citizen’s arrest powers, characterising it “a dangerous
and irresponsible move by the Government”.
According to the group, the reforms would likely to lead to misuse through racial profiling and increase harm through violence, forcing employers and staff to take responsibility for defending their property, which typically they are not trained to do.
The reforms, states the group, could see an increase in weapons use in places of employment while failing to address the root causes of retail crime.
“We firmly believe that addressing the drivers of retail crime, in this case the increase in the cost of living, means ensuring all communities have what they need to thrive.”
Labour Party weighs in Labour police spokesperson Ginny Andersen also weighed in, adding her voice to the chorus of criticisms.
“National is not listening to the advice of their own police, who have consistently warned that letting Kiwis take the law into their own hands is unsafe, both for retailers and the public,” she said.
“Turning New Zealand into the wild west is not a crime prevention strategy, it’s dangerous and goes against our values as New Zealanders,” Labour justice spokesperson Duncan Webb added.
“A broad right of citizens to use force against each other is likely to lead to harm. The enforcement of the criminal law is the job of the police
who are properly trained and the suggestion that it is appropriate for citizens to do this in any but the most narrow circumstances can lead to tragic consequences.”
“The Government needs to do its job and focus on breaking the cycle of crime, not ask people to put themselves in harm’s way,” said Ms Andersen.
It’s a shaky start for the MAG, whose members are clearly not on the same page in relation to the changes that the group has proposed.
The government is now challenged with the prospect of backing a potential legislative amendment that has business and employee groups up in arms.
But the detail of the proposed changes is yet to come, and it’s perhaps there that burning questions around the changes could – and should – be addressed.
What training, for example, might a frontline worker be required to undertake – if at all – to qualify them to perform a citizen’s arrest? What arrangements might be required to be in place at a store to enable it to accommodate a citizen’s arrest? And what of the role and powers of appropriately trained Security Officers who are likely to be better equipped than retail workers to perform a citizen’s arrest?
Time will tell. And in the meantime, we await with some trepidation the next round of proposals from the Ministerial Advisory Group for Victims of Retail Crime.
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Behind The Swipes: Loneliness, scams and lies In New Zealand’s online dating scene
Loneliness casts a long shadow over New Zealand, with 85 percent of people experiencing it at some point according to a new survey from Norton.
In the digital age, Lovelorn Kiwis may unknowingly engage in risky behaviour. 31 percent of people on dating apps in New Zealand have been targeted by a dating scam, and yet many may underestimate their own vulnerability, as generational perceptions often lead people to believe others are more at risk than themselves.
This finding is part of the 2025 Online Dating Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report (NCSIR), examining consumers’ online behaviours when it comes to prospective partners, online dating, romantic interests, and loneliness.
The emotional vulnerability of online dating
A significant 18 percent of New Zealanders admit that feelings of loneliness lead them to take greater risks in online dating. Many engage with suspicious profiles or dismiss warning signs, hoping for a genuine connection. In fact, more than half of people on dating apps (54 percent) encounter suspicious profiles or messages weekly.
The report shows 64 percent more dating scam attacks were blocked in New Zealand in 2024 than the year prior, with 21,808 attacks blocked on average each month.
Kiwis are attempting to minimise their risks: 87 percent took some safety measures before meeting someone in person, such as looking up potential matches online, having a video or phone call, or informing friends or family about their plans. Others go further by sharing their location with trusted contacts.
However, even these measures are not enough to counteract the rising tide of deception. The report found that 46 percent of people admit they wouldn’t know how to respond if their identity were stolen, pointing to a critical gap between awareness and preparedness.
Dating apps – A hotbed for deceptive practices
A quarter of people on dating apps admit to lying about their age, and 54 percent report encountering age-related deception from others. Nearly one in five people (19 percent) have had their photos stolen and misused on fake profiles, potentially exposing them to identity theft and emotional harm.
Only 47 percent of people who currently use dating apps were able to correctly identify whether a profile photo was generated by AI despite 65 percent believing they could.
Generational perceptions add another layer to the issue. While 78
percent of younger people who use dating apps (44 and under) believe older generations (45+) are more susceptible to scams, 57 percent of older daters think the opposite, viewing younger daters as more at risk.
These contrasting views reflect a need for broader education across all age groups, demonstrating that anyone, regardless of age, can be targeted by and fall victim to increasingly sophisticated scammers.
The ever-present threat of dating scams
Dating scams remain an ever-present threat, with 31 percent of people on dating apps targeted and 38 percent of those falling victim.
Among victims of dating scams, the most common types are romance scams (53 percent), catfishing (38 percent), fake dating sites (37 percent), visa or immigration scams (30 percent), and sugar daddy/sugar baby scams (26 percent). These figures highlight the creativity of fraudsters.
For victims of dating scams, the fallout is harsh: 63 percent suffer financial losses, and 38 percent lose personal information.
Taking control of your online safety
Mark Gorrie, Managing Director APAC for Norton says that the average number of scam attempts per person last year in New Zealand was seven – equating to a scam attempt every second.
“It’s important to take proactive steps, use available tools and stay informed about potential threats,” she said. “Anyone, no matter their experience or background, can fall prey to sophisticated scammers.”
“Dating scams have become increasingly advanced, making it more difficult to recognise deceit and navigate the online dating scene safely.”
Recognising a catfish
Gorrie also shared some of the top warning signs that someone you’re talking to on a dating app might be a catfish: they avoid video calls, they don’t have many followers or friends, they act over the top (rapidly escalating the relationship or planning a joint business venture), and they have a very small online presence.
Other findings
The report also found that 28 percent of people said they would rather clean their closet than go on a first date, highlighting the mixed feelings and apprehension that come with modern dating.
50 percent of people who currently use dating apps believe that they’ve had a conversation with someone on a dating app that was written by AI, while 38 percent have reported a suspected scammer or catfish to an online dating platform.
49 percent of people believe that non-dating apps e.g. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok are more trustworthy spaces to form genuine connections.
The full results of the 2025 Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report can be accessed online.
The 2025 Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report was compiled from a study conducted online within New Zealand by Dynata on behalf of Gen from 05 December to 31 December 2024 among 1,008 adults. Data was weighted by age, gender, and region to be nationally representative.
Landmark UK anti-terror legislation gains Royal Assent
Martyn’s Law will deliver increased protection to people in the United Kingdom by ensuring public premises and events are better prepared in the event of a terrorist attack.
Premises and events across Britain will be better prepared to respond to attacks as landmark legislation known as Martyn’s Law gained Royal Assent and became law on 03 April.
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 will require public premises in the UK where 200 or more individuals may be present, to be better prepared and have plans in place to keep people safe in the event of an attack.
Larger premises and events where 800 or more people will be present will be required to take further steps to reduce their vulnerability to acts of terrorism – such as having CCTV, bag search policies or vehicle checks where appropriate.
Martyn’s Law is named in tribute to Martyn Hett who was tragically killed alongside 21 others in the Manchester Arena attack in May 2017.
According to the UK government, since March 2017, there have been 15 domestic terror attacks in the UK, while security services have disrupted 43 late-stage plots. Terrorists have targeted a wide range of people and places.
It is not always possible to predict where in the UK an attack might happen, or the type of premises or events that could be impacted – either directly (as the target of an attack) or indirectly (by being located near to the target of an attack).
Despite the unpredictability of
attack, individuals are more likely to take action that can reduce harm and save lives if they have considered what they would do, and how, prior to a terrorist attack occurring. The Manchester Arena Inquiry and London Bridge Inquests called for the introduction of legislation and guidance to protect the public.
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 is intended to improve protective security and organisational preparedness across the UK. It forms part of the UK government’s wider counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST.
Culmination of years of campaigning
Martyn Hett’s mother, Figen Murray, who has been the driving force in campaigning for this legislation in her son’s memory, was invited by
“Figen’s courage and determination in the face of such unimaginable loss is truly humbling and it is thanks to her campaigning that Martyn’s Law means her son’s legacy will live on forever,” said Prime Minister Starmer.
“Security is the… first duty of any government. Martyn’s Law will ensure everyone can enjoy public events more safely and ensure venues across the country have clear, practical measures in place to protect people,” he said.
“My son Martyn Hett was murdered alongside 21 innocent victims in the Manchester Arena terror attack on 22 May 2017, and whilst nothing will bring Martyn back, I am determined to ensure nobody endures what my family has experienced,” said Figen Murray.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Downing Street to mark the landmark moment.
Martyn’s Law is in memory of Martyn Hett who died in May 2017 during the Manchester Arena bombing.
Figen Murray also paid tribe to her co-campaigners Nick Aldworth, Brendan Cox, Nathan Emmerich, and her husband and children.
“Over the implementation period it is vital that the government and Security Industry Authority provide all that is necessary for publicly accessible locations to implement Martyn’s Law,” she said.
“We will continue to work with businesses and with the government to make sure premises have the support they need to prepare for the implementation of the act, said Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator for Protect and Prepare, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jon Savell.
According to Mike Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, the Act comprises appropriate and proportionate steps to protect the public from the threat of terrorism.
“We appreciate the government’s recognition of the challenges businesses face and the commitment to a 24-month implementation period, allowing time for preparation and adaptation,” said Mike Kill.
“As an industry we will continue working closely with the Home Office,
the SIA, and key stakeholders to provide clear guidance and support. Ensuring the safety of our night-time economy and public spaces remains our priority, and we fully support this crucial legislation.”
Giles Smith, Chief Executive of the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA), also welcomed the passing of the legislation.
“Providing a safe, welcoming environment for fans is the SGSA’s top priority and we support the objectives of Martyn’s Law,” he said.
Oversight, advice and inspection
The UK Security Industry Authority (SIA) will provide the regulatory functions set out in the Act, including investigating suspected noncompliance and, where appropriate, taking enforcement action. A core principle of the SIA will be to support, advise and guide those responsible for premises and events to meet the requirements of the legislation.
“As the new independent regulator, our role will be to educate, support, and guide those covered by the new duty into compliance,” said Michelle Russell, Chief Executive of the SIA.
“This is to empower them to strengthen
the protection and preparedness of premises and events across the UK and reduce the risk of harm from acts of terrorism.”
Where required they will also investigate and enforce compliance with the requirements, using a toolkit of powers and sanctions to address serious or persistent cases of noncompliance. This includes the power to issue penalties to those who fail to fulfil the requirements and to place restrictions on enhanced duty premises and qualifying events in the most serious cases.
When will the legislation come into effect?
The Act received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025 and it is expected that the implementation period will be at least 24 months.
The UK Home Office will publish statutory guidance during the 24 month implementation period. This guidance will assist those responsible to understand the requirements set out in the legislation.
For more information about Martyn’s Law, visit the UK Government Factsheet.
New research reveals ideology is “essential” to understanding terrorism
The UK Commission for Countering Extremism (CCE) has published research demonstrating that ideology plays a central role in driving terrorism.
Sacred Violence: the enduring role of ideology in terrorism and radicalisation by Dr Donald Holbrook forensically analyses 6,000 pieces of content consumed by 100 UK terrorists between 2004 and 2021.
The findings show that terrorists are deeply immersed in extremist ideology – consuming, debating and often producing their own material that justifies their actions.
“Terrorists take ideology deadly seriously. As government starts to grip the litany of challenges it faces on counter extremism, that means it must do so too,” said the UK’s Commissioner for Countering Extremism, Robin Simcox.
“This research provides clear evidence that ideology explains why terrorists fight, what they hope to achieve, and what they consider permissible in their struggle.”
According to Dr Holbrook’s research, terrorism and its permissive environment cannot be understood without reference to ideology. Over half the subjects in the study produced their own ideological content justifying their involvement in terrorism
The research found that terrorists display broad ideological interests. Islamist ideology tends to be more theological while extreme right-wing content is often more explicitly hostile and violent.
Half the extreme ideological material in Islamist terrorism cases originated in the West (i.e. the UK, USA, and Europe). The most
influential Islamist clerics among the terrorists studied were Anwar al-Awlaki, Abu Hamza al-Masri and Abdullah el-Faisal. Also popular was Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb.
Among the extreme right wing, music groups – from folk musicians to heavy metal bands – produced the highest volume of ideological content.
The most prolific authors of ideological content proved to be National Action, founded in 2013 and proscribed in the UK in December 2016.
The report’s findings suggest that counterterrorism and counter extremism policy within the UK must incorporate an understanding of ideology and its function in transitions to terrorism.
Dr Donald Holbrook is an Associate Fellow at the International
Centre for Counter Terrorism (ICCT). He also runs a research consultancy working with governments and lawenforcement on matters relating to counter-terrorism and countering violent extremism. He serves on the editorial board of the journal Terrorism and Political Violence.
The Commission for Countering Extremism (CCE) provides the UK government with impartial, expert advice and scrutiny on the tools, policies and approaches needed to tackle extremism. It supports the public sector, communities, and civil society to confront extremism wherever it exists; and promotes a positive vision around core, shared values.
Published 20 March 2025, the full report is available on the Commission for Countering Extremism website.
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