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 June-July 2025 issue of New Zealand Security Magazine! In this issue we greet the winter months with some great reading, including a wrap-up of recent industry appointments and acquisitions as well as the latest security solution launches and updates.
Among the updates, we cover Axis’s new environmental sensors, Dahua’s expanded WizColor product offerings, ICT’s new TSL Access Reader, Gallagher’s launch of OneLink with Command Centre v9.30, and Inner Range’s new cloud services platform - IR Connect.
In our feature articles, we’re joined by Wesco Anixter’s Robbie Jones, who notes that while digital threats tend to dominate headlines, New Zealand’s public sector is facing a quieter, more insidious crisis: a breakdown in the management of its physical electronic security systems.
From outdated access cards to mismanaged surveillance infrastructure, he writes that many government agencies are relying on aging, insecure technology to protect sensitive facilities—without the technical expertise needed to properly oversee it.
We also explore HB167 author Dr Carl A. Gibson’s recent comments that a revised HB167 could be released within weeks. Security consultants and security risk management professionals generally have waited a long time for an updated edition of the landmark HB167 handbook. A once-in-a-generation event!
Inside, I also provide my comments around the Privacy Commissioner’s recent finding that the live FRT model trialled last year in 25 Foodstuffs North Island supermarkets is compliant with the Privacy Act. Given that this finding was released just weeks after the publication of an OPC annual privacy survey indicating that 41% New Zealanders are concerned by FRT in retail stores, there appears to be something of a gap between legal opinion and public opinion on the matter.
I know my thoughts on FRT in retail run contrary to those of many of my security industry colleagues, but it appears that the OPC is sending out mixed messages in relation to the deployment of FRT by retailers –on the one hand highlighting the New Zealand public’s deep misgivings over having their facial biometrics being collected in stores, and on the other hand giving retailers the legal go-ahead to do so. It’s a bit confusing – for the public and retailers alike.
There’s all this and much more to explore in this issue of NZSM. Also, if you haven’t already, consider subscribing to our to-your-inbox eNewsletter THE BRIEF . It’s a great way to keep up-to-date with the latest. Details on the Defsec website.
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.
The physical security of agencies in New Zealand’s public sector is in a state of dangerous neglect, writes Robbie Jones, Wellington-based Enterprise Solutions Specialist at Wesco Anixter.
Robbie Jones is an Enterprise Solutions Specialist at Wesco Anixter and a specialist in government security.
While digital threats dominate headlines, experts warn that New Zealand’s public sector is facing a quieter, more insidious crisis: a breakdown in the management of its physical electronic security systems. From outdated access cards to mismanaged surveillance infrastructure, many government agencies are relying on aging, insecure technology to protect sensitive facilities—without the technical expertise needed to properly oversee it.
Old systems, new threats
Many government buildings still use legacy physical access control systems— platforms that are no longer updated or supported. These systems often have unpatched vulnerabilities and operate on outdated protocols, leaving backdoors into wider networks.
It’s not uncommon to find access panels with default passwords, surveillance systems exposed to the internet, or intruder alarms that haven’t been tested in years. The assumption that these systems “just work” has left them dangerously neglected.
Cards that can be cloned in seconds
Perhaps the most glaring issue is the continued use of 125kHz proximity cards to gain access to premises—a decades-old technology that can be cloned in seconds using inexpensive tools. With no encryption or authentication, they provide little resistance to anyone with malicious intent.
In many agencies, there’s no central control over who gets access cards
or when they’re revoked. Lost or duplicated cards often go unnoticed, and even modern smart card systems are frequently misconfigured or paired with outdated readers.
The CIO conundrum
Responsibility for these systems often defaults to Chief Information Officers (CIOs), whose expertise lies in enterprise IT—not physical security.
“Most CIOs understand cloud infrastructure and software contracts, not the nuances of door controller protocols or access credential design,” says a security consultant familiar with the issue. As a result, crucial decisions are made without the depth of knowledge required—leaving vendors to design and deploy systems with little oversight.
No enforced national standards, no oversight
Unlike countries such as the US or the UK, where strict government security standards apply, New Zealand lacks a unified approach to physical security. Agencies are left to interpret requirements on their own or via a consultant with the same lack of knowledge due to the lead governing agency being critically understaffed.
All this is leading to inconsistent practices and vulnerable infrastructure, while also creating an “I know more than you culture” within government circles. Some in positions of influence
have no place advising on what’s right or wrong with the government security space as they think they know more than they actually do—and this can cause a new set of issues.
Procurement by familiarity, not fitness
The problem is compounded by procurement practices that favour familiar vendors over functional solutions. Systems are often chosen based on historical use or existing relationships rather than what’s best suited to an agency’s needs.
This “vendor lock-in” stifles innovation, drives up long-term costs, and limits interoperability. Some agencies continue renewing outdated systems simply because they always have—even when better options exist.
Consultants: Cutting corners, not risk
Another blind spot is the heavy reliance on security consultants who may not fully understand the unique demands of government operations. Instead of tailoring solutions to each agency’s needs, many propose onesize-fits-all options that are quick to deliver but poorly suited to complex environments.
Typically, this means consultants picking security products based on ease or “that’s what they use” rather than capability. This leads agencies down a rabbit hole for the next guy to fix.
While electronic security needs to move at a quicker pace to keep up with IT, consultants also need to reeducate themselves on products that best suit the end user and not be led by manufacturers looking for a quick sale without the end user being front of mind.
These shortcut solutions often fall short in scalability, integration, and long-term resilience.
Call for reform
Many security practitioners I have talked to suggest that the solution may start with building internal capability. Government agencies need trained specialists who understand both cybersecurity and physical systems. They also suggest:
• Standardised security frameworks
• Regular audits and testing
• Open, interoperable systems
• Procurement reform focused on risk, not convenience
• Dedicated roles for physical security—not just CIOs
In today’s threat landscape, access control and CCTV systems aren’t just hardware—they’re networked technologies vulnerable to the same exploitation as any server or database.
Without change, the weakest link in New Zealand’s national resilience may not be a firewall—but a door left unlocked by outdated tech.
Judged by a panel of independent experts from across the New Zealand security industry, the finalists of the 2025 New Zealand Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) have been announced.
The New Zealand OSPAs, returning for its fourth year, has attracted an excellent number of quality submissions and the judging panel faced a challenging task narrowing down the entries to select only the very best.
“We are delighted to return to New Zealand once again and the support we have received is very encouraging,” said founder of the OSPAs Professor Martin Gill.
The finalists are:
Outstanding In-House Security Manager/Director
• Herman David – Grand Millennium Auckland Hotel
• Rod Fraser – IAG
• Shirin Kiff – Transdev Australia & New Zealand Wellington
• Ellie Moriarty – SkyCity Entertainment Group
Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director
• Anna Barragan – Global Security Solutions Limited
• Nicholas Dynon – Optic Security Group
• Farish Khan – FIRST Security
• Rana Taimur Anwar – P4G Security
• David Tombs – Armourguard Security
• Matt Wood – October Protection
Outstanding Security Team
• Princes Wharf Security Team – Global Security
• RBNZ Team – FIRST Security
• Freight Screening Team – Secureflight
• Auckland Security Team – SkyCity
• Transdev Armourguard Security Team
Outstanding Contract Security Company (Guarding)
• Armourguard Security
• FIRST Security
• Global Security Solutions Limited
Outstanding Security Training Initiative
• Ajax Systems Academy
• NZ Certificate in Business (Introduction to Team Leadership Level 3) – FIRST Security
• Michelle Macdonald – Secureflight
Outstanding Security Installer/Integrator
• Advanced Security Group
• Retail Crime Prevention Programme Team – Optic Security Group
Outstanding Security Partnership
• Asset Upgrade Project – Optic Security Group and Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
• New Zealand Committee Members – Profit Protection Future Forum
Outstanding Security Officer
• Douglas Chance – Allied Security
• Shaun Laifone – Global Security
• Philip Larmer – Global Security
• Dion Perrett – Armourguard
Outstanding Female Security Professional
• Vaneasa Conner – Armourguard
• Amber Gillies – Vault Security
• Su Kaur – FIRST Security
• Michelle Martin – FIRST Security
• Teresa Smith – Vault Security
• Chelsea Wallis – Optic Security Group
Outstanding Young Security Professional
• Lacey Hart – FIRST Security
• Harrison Laird – Armourguard Security
• Abdullah-Al-Karim Samim – Armourguard Security
• Ruth Tongotongo –Beca Applied Technologies
Lifetime Achievement
• To be announced on the day
Winners will be announced on Friday 27 June 2025 at an evening gala dinner as part of the ASIS New Zealand certification celebration at the Pakuranga Hunt room, Ellerslie Event Centre, Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland. To find out more and to book tickets click here . The New Zealand OSPAs is supported by sponsors Guardhouse and Edith Cowan University.
Long-awaited HB167 Security Risk Management update ‘about to drop’
Security consultants and security risk management professionals generally have waited a long time for an updated edition of the landmark HB167 handbook. According to one of its authors, the big day is arriving.
HB167 author Dr Carl A. Gibson reported via LinkedIn earlier this month that the publication proof for a new HB167 has dropped and is now awaiting approval by the Standards Australia MB025 technical committee for security and resilience.
According to Dr Gibson, it was 2005 when he and Mike Rothery (Commonwealth Attorney General’s Department) had a conversation in a Thai restaurant in Canberra about the challenges of applying the joint Australian and New Zealand Risk Management Standard AS/NZ 4360 to security.
“With neither of us having a notebook with us, we eventually (after many hours) left the restaurant with about a hundred napkins and a tablecloth covered in dense notes and conceptual diagrams,” he wrote.
“I spent the following couple of weeks transcribing and translating (my handwriting) and developing a proposal for a new Standards Handbook, that was eventually published in 2006 as HB167 Security risk management.”
The task of revising the document started almost a decade later, but it would take several more years and a pandemic before a Working Group was established with Standards Australia and the process of rewrites started.
Last year, Dr Gibson states, a draft Handbook was released for detailed peer review, which received about 450 reviewer comments. “After several months of meetings, the comments were finally resolved, and the almost as long process of professional editing by Standards Australia and the back and forth with the Working Group was underway and a Final Draft was finally agreed upon.”
“We now have a copy proof Handbook sitting in the hands (well at least virtually) of members of the MB025 committee of Standards Australia, with their approval required by 6 June (yes, this year!). The Handbook will then be published later this month, and should be available to the public, probably in early July.”
He comments that the new HB167:2025 will be the largest and most comprehensive risk-related Standards publication ever, including 162 pages of practical guidance and 48 figures to help explain key concepts and processes.
“The Working Group has pushed a number of boundaries
in risk thinking over the last few years, and HB167 will be one of the foundation documents for the recently formed Working Group of OB007 that a few months ago started the process of developing a new Standards Australia practitioners’ guide on managing risk.”
Dr Gibson points out that everyone involved in the writing of HB167 and the peer review, did so on a voluntary basis, their contributions amounting to “hundreds of thousands of dollars in time, travel, and other expenses in the development and sharing of such knowledge over the years.”
Global Security Barometer 2025 identifies big challenges for industry
Released in April, the International Security Ligue’s Global Security Barometer 2025 reveals changes necessary for the security industry to meet future challenges in an evolving threat environment.
A survey of top executives at the world’s leading security services companies, the results of the Global Security Barometer 2025 (GSB 2025) suggest an urgent need for improved integration of security functions, heightened risk awareness, better critical infrastructure preparedness, and stronger security cultures across regions.
According to the study, leading security executives, for example, believe that the world’s critical infrastructure is only half as prepared as it needs to be against terrorism and highconsequence threats.
The study also sheds light on critical challenges facing the global security services industry, highlighting issues around public perception, regulation, labour markets, marketplace maturity, and cooperation with public law enforcement. According to the International Security Ligue, this highlights a crisis in security markets where cost often trumps quality in procurement decisions.
“Many of these challenges have plagued the industry for decades, which is exactly why the Ligue has undertaken this effort to examine them, to see what progress we have made, to identify work that still needs to be done, and to reconvene top minds in the industry to chart a path forward,” said the Ligue’s Director General Stefan Huber.
A call for unified action
Among its conclusions, GSB 2025 emphasises that strengthening global security in an increasingly complex threat landscape requires a unified, strategic approach that leaves no weak links:
• Organisations must adopt comprehensive risk management strategies, break down internal silos, and foster a proactive security culture.
• Governments should develop supportive regulatory frameworks, broaden definitions of critical infrastructure, and foster crossborder cooperation.
• Private Sector needs to invest in advanced security solutions, train personnel to handle multidimensional threats, and build trust within communities.
“Security isn’t a one-and-done solution — it’s an ongoing process demanding continuous investment and collaboration,” said Huber. “Security is a shared responsibility and must be integrated throughout organizations and society to enhance business performance, improve economies, and to build resilience against unforeseen threats.”
Stark Contrasts: Trust in private security officers
The study reveals significant disparities in how private security officers are perceived worldwide. While they enjoy moderate respect on a global
scale, regional differences are striking. India, for example, stands out with the highest level of regard, whereas the United States falls below the global average.
“Negative public opinions toward private security officers aren’t about hurting feelings; they undermine the officers’ legitimacy and can place societies at risk,” said Stefan Huber. “When trust dwindles, so does the effectiveness of those tasked with safeguarding communities.”
“Governments hold a pivotal role in shaping this perception. By developing robust regulatory frameworks, promoting transparency, and enhancing the visibility and professionalism of private security officers, they can foster a more positive public image.”
According to the Ligue, the private security industry has made strides in improving its reputation through heightened professionalism and community engagement, but these gains are fragile. Unscrupulous companies, for example, can quickly erode hard-won trust, emphasising the need for consistent standards and vigilant oversight.
“Implementing rigorous and meaningful training and certification processes would ensure that officers are well prepared to handle various situations and establish a baseline of professionalism that the public can trust,” noted Sandi Davies, CEO, International Foundation for Protection Officers, one of the
experts who contributed to the report.
“Encouraging accurate media portrayals is also crucial; balanced and fair reporting can significantly enhance the sector’s image and effectiveness,” added Huber.
Need for better collaboration between law enforcement and private security
While there is substantial room for improvement in how effectively public law enforcement and private security services collaborate, the study’s results reflect a promising foundation upon which to build stronger partnerships.
The median Barometer score for police and private security cooperation is 67.5, the highest score of issues examined in the survey (tied with public opinion of private security officers).
North America leads with a median score of 80, indicating robust collaboration, while cooperation is seen as sub-standard in several regions including the Asia-Pacific, where a median score of 50 indicates a critical need for stronger collaboration.
Embracing
a shared security model
According to the Ligue, resource limitations are stretching police forces thin worldwide. Faced with force reductions, service limitations, outdated equipment, and the elimination of special programs, law
enforcement agencies are “rethinking strategies”.
“Simultaneously, criminal networks are growing in sophistication and urban challenges like minor crimes, homelessness, public drug use, and mental health crises are increasing, placing additional burdens on public officials and law enforcement,” stated a Ligue report on the study.
“These forces are highlighting the benefits from a shared security model, one that relies more heavily on private security resources to affordably maintain security in public spaces and address less serious issues of disorder. This shift isn’t about displacing police officers but optimising resources to enhance public safety effectively.”
“As security challenges become more complex, creative thinking and collaboration between public law enforcement and private security are not just beneficial—they’re essential,” explained Stefan Huber.
“The relationship between the private security industry and public law enforcement is patchy, underdeveloped, and a wasted opportunity,” said Professor Martin Gill, Director of Perpetuity Research and Consultancy International.
“The logic of all those responsible for protection to work together is compelling, and the drawbacks in not collaborating are considerable for both sides—and it is the public that loses out, and the offender that gains.”
Organisations don’t know the security risks they face
Results from the study indicate that security strategies vary greatly across organisations worldwide, from ad hoc approaches based on intuition to datadriven methodologies. Globally, states the Ligue, organisations are only twothirds along the continuum towards a full understanding of the security risk environment.
The GSB 2025 global median rating for security risk awareness was 66.3, with North America receiving the highest rating (77.5) and Africa rated lowest at 42.5, indicating significant room for improvement. Europe and Central & South America and the Caribbean received scores of 70.
“The GSB underscores the critical need for organisations to enhance their understanding of security risks and adopt agile, comprehensive risk mitigation strategies,” said Stefan Huber.
Accommodating the increasing impact of geopolitics is also now required, says Dr. Jean-Marc Rickli, Head of Global and Emerging Risks at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy.
“The proliferations of risks for companies in a growing polarized world requires the appointment of a dedicated board member, the Chief Geopolitical Officer, that can understand how geopolitical developments will affect the companies and therefore defuse any potential risks.”
Inner Range releases new cloud services platform - IR Connect
Inner Range announces the global deployment of new cloud connected services platform IR Connect, leveraging generative AI, advanced analytics and IoT ecosystems.
The new IR Connect platform offers a “hybrid” architecture combining the convenience and flexibility of a SaaS with the security of an on-premise solution.
“Our customers critical operational data remains securely on-premise, while the cloud provides the remote connectivity to securely control, configure and review the Inner Range on-prem system,” said Inner Range Director of IoT Jason Hartley.
“Inner Range always puts Security First, which means we completely understand how important data sovereignty and security is to our customers,” he said. “This is why Inner Range has taken the Hybrid approach as opposed to a pure cloudbased SAAS or VSAAS model that exposes the customers’ data to cyberattacks.
Our hybrid approach ensures enhanced data sovereignty and security for our customers, minimizing exposure to cyberattacks unlike pure cloud-based models.
According to Inner Range, single to large scale multisite deployments can all be managed through the same cloud connected service.
“Whether managing a single site, or a multi-site deployment, IR Connect has been engineered for scalability, with robust support for role-based access, encrypted communications, and real-time event monitoring, IR Connect empowers the management
of complex security environments with confidence,” said Mr Hartley.
The new platform will deliver remote firmware upgrades over the wire for IR Connected devices.
“IR Connect ensures that as soon as the Inner Range connected device goes online, the installer is prompted to update the firmware to the latest version ensuring that the customers system has all of the latest features and security enhancements at hand over,” said Mr Hartley.
“IR Connect introduces an updated API framework, facilitating quicker and easier integrations with third-party subsystems,” he continued.
“This will now allow Inner Range to increase the number of integrations, either natively developed or intuitively enable 3rd party developers, to increase the capabilities of our entire ecosystem to offer more choice and more flexibility to our customers.”
In coming weeks, Inner Range reports plans on releasing a fully connected range of video surveillance products that will create an extremely cohesive eco-system for unified security installations for entry to enterprise projects.
“In summary the IR Connect platform gives our customers all the security benefits of an on-premise system but the convenience of a secure, encrypted cloud connection at anytime from anywhere in the world,” he said.
“This connection provides the end customer with a single, intuitive pane of glass that provides a window into their unified Access Control, Video Surveillance and Security System.”
The new IR Connect cloud platform and mobile application will be formally released on 02 June 2025, which will be closely followed by their new Range of IR Video surveillance products.
Appointments and Acquisitions June 2025
In this digest of recent personnel appointments and business acquisitions from across Aotearoa, ICT appoints new CEO, Gallagher promotes for NZ Sales GM, and FIRST acquires Senjo Security.
New CEO for ICT
ICT has announced Andy Bane as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Mr Bane has over three decades of expertise in leadership, innovation, and scaling venture-backed startups.
Founder and former CEO Hayden Burr is transitioning into a new role as Chief Innovation Officer. ICT describes the move as a “strategic leadership shift [that] leverages both Andy and Hayden’s unique skill sets, providing the best of both worlds to benefit the company, our partners, and our customers.”
“Hayden and the ICT team should be proud of what they have built the past 20 years,” said new CEO Andy Bane. “I’m inheriting an impressive foundation with a differentiated product portfolio, a global customer base, and a dedicated team.”
“I look forward to working alongside this talented group to expand our reach, continue to find ways to best serve our customers and to build on the company’s legacy of innovation and customer success.”
“After more than 20 years leading ICT, I’m excited to pivot to a role that will enable me to think deeply about future needs, and where things are headed… to think not only about product innovations, but also all the ways we can evolve as a company to better meet the needs of our partners and customers,” said outgoing CEO Hayden Burr.
Meanwhile, Mario Cannon has been appointed new Regional Sales Manager, and Aidan Simons has been promoted to NZ National Sales Manager.
Wayne Scott promoted to Gallagher Security NZ Sales GM role
Gallagher Security has announced the promotion of Wayne Scott to the role of General Manager of New Zealand Sales after more than seven years with the Hamilton-based company.
Mr Scott began his career at Gallagher in 2018 as a Business Development Manager for the Lower North Island before progressing to
Sales Manager and most recently Operations Manager.
His latest promotion comes in the wake of the departure of Brad Small as Regional Sales Manager New Zealand & Pacific Islands, who has joined Red Badge Group in the position of GM Sales & Marketing.
“We’re a team of incredibly capable, passionate people who care about our customers and our industry, and I see my new role as one where I can empower our team to be the best they can be,” said Mr Scott.
“We’re not just about opening and closing doors anymore,” he said. “Our value lies in the relationships we build and the outcomes we enable for our customers. That’s the foundation our team is built on, and it’s a legacy I’m looking forward to continuing.”
“Wayne embodies Gallagher’s core values of helping each other grow, building lasting relationships, and committing to a better tomorrow,” said Gallagher Security Chief Executive Mark Junge. “He has a vision for what this team can achieve,
ICT Founder and former CEO Hayden Burr is transitioning into a new role as Chief Innovation Officer
Andy Bane as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Wayne Scott, General Manager of New Zealand Sales
and I can’t wait to see how he makes this role his own.”
Mr Scott started as General Manager of New Zealand Sales on 05 May and is based in Wellington.
FIRST Security expands national footprint into the Taupō region
FIRST Security announced on 13 May the acquisition of Senjo Security, a leading security provider in the Taupō region. Senjo Security has over two decades of experience in servicing a range of businesses and organisations throughout the region.
In line with their commitment to invest in local communities across Aotearoa New Zealand, the acquisition will see previous owner, Mike Downard continuing with the business, with all local staff to be retained by FIRST Security.
“Mike and Leon have built an excellent, hard-working team, providing the leading security service in the region for over two decades,” said FIRST Security CEO Tim Covic. “Our goal is to uphold that quality of service to our clients as well as provide a seamless transition.”
“With our national infrastructure, we now can introduce FIRST Security’s innovative and cutting-edge technology, products, and services to the local community, a first for the region, making them feel just that much safer.”
“With the additional capability and resources we are able to add through the FIRST Security network, we will now be able to provide an even stronger offering for customers locally,” said Co-Owner of Senjo Security Mike Downard. “We are pleased this
RISK & RESILIENCE SUMMIT NEW ZEALAND
move will also bring with it further investment into our community with the expansion of the team and service offering.”
“It has been a privilege to provide security services to the Taupō community, and we are confident that FIRST Security will continue to deliver the same level of excellence we have always strived for,” he said.
FIRST Security employs around 2,000 staff and operates 24/7 with a fleet of 120 patrol vehicles, 365 days a year, New Zealand-wide.
Security technology launches, releases, and updates
In this round-up of security technology news, ICT launches new TSL reader, ADT and Yale release smart lock with fingerprint control, and Axis announces its first-ever environmental sensors.
Gallagher launches OneLink with Command Centre v9.30
OneLink will enable Gallagher Controller 7000s to connect to a base Command Centre server via the cloud without the need for VPN’s or extended corporate networks.
“OneLink is a major step forward in how organisations secure remote locations,” said Gallagher Security, Chief Product Officer Meredith Palmer. “By connecting controllers to Command Centre via the cloud, we’re removing traditional barriers and extending powerful, enterprise-grade security to anywhere it’s needed.”
Beyond OneLink, Command Centre v9.30 introduces a suite of enhancements and integrations.
With v9.30 users can access a Warranty Report Generator, capable of instantly identifying outdated devices while an Automated Credential Management feature ensures expired
credentials can be set to automatically delete. Expanded integrations include support for IDEMIA VisionPass SP and Vortex ground sensors.
“As one of the most feature rich platforms on the market, our Command Centre releases continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible. We’re committed to innovating and uncovering new ways we can unlock even greater value for our users through the power of our solutions and our integration capabilities,” says Meredith
Command Centre v9.30 claims to enable faster setup and troubleshooting, and reduced downtime via the Network
Connectivity Tool, simplified controller configuration, enhanced card coding capabilities, Z20 sensor support for the Controller 7000 product range, and improved controller update, minimising disruption.
ICT launches new TSL Access Reader
Integrated Control Technology (ICT) announced on 26 March the release of their new TSL Access Reader.
Combining slimmed-down aesthetics with new functionality, ICT says that the TSL reader delivers a dynamic solution for property managers, security professionals, and building operators seeking a futureproof system for secure and efficient building access.
The TSL is available in three sizes with a choice of black or white finishes and optional keypads. Its Quick Connect Plug and appbased configuration promises fast installation, with live over-the-network firmware updates for future formats, functionality, features, and security enhancements.
The new release also supports a wide range of existing credential types, along with Bluetooth® and NFC capabilities, while Secure Access Module (SAM) handles all credential encryption tasks and key management.
The reader is IP65-rated for harsh environments with vandal-resistant options for enhanced security.
“The new TSL Access Reader provides our customers and their end-users with a seamless blend of style, user-friendly customization, technology and advanced capabilities,” said Armando Morles, Product Manager at ICT.
Hexagon unveils new physical security portfolio
Hexagon’s Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division has announced the expansion and rebranding of its portfolio of physical security solutions to HxGN dC3.
The new name, which stands for Detect, Command, Control and Collaborate, reflects the company’s approach to protecting people, property and assets by supporting the entire lifecycle of an incident to minimise its impact.
Since acquiring physical security solution provider Qognify in April 2023, Hexagon has been extending and integrating its offerings into a newly expanded Hexagon portfolio.
New to the portfolio is the AIenhanced HxGN dC3 LidarVision (formerly Accur8vision), a 3D surveillance system based on volumetric LiDAR detection technology that secures entire areas in addition to the fence line. It has the ability to track intrusions in low light and classify objects using Hexagon’s proprietary AI neural network, DeepTection.
It is joined by HxGN dC3 Video (formerly Qognify VMS), an openplatform VMS, and HxGN dC3 Orchestrator (formerly Situator), an enterprise-class physical security information management (PSIM) software.
“Hexagon is reinventing physical security with a suite of integrated software solutions for enterprise organizations,” said Mladen Stojic, president of physical security for
Hexagon’s Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division. “With HxGN dC3, Hexagon empowers these organizations to safeguard their worlds.”
Verkada introduces new dual-head camera
Verkada has announced its new dual head camera and enhanced alerting capabilities on its Command platform, along with a wide range of updates.
Verkada is expanding its multisensor line with a new dual head camera, the CY53-E Two-Camera Multisensor. With two viewing angles from a single install point, an advanced onboard processor, and 2.55x optical zoom in each sensor, the camera is set to reduce blindspots with increased visibility and AI-based analytics and alerts.
Verkada has also introduced enhanced alerting capabilities that enable users to integrate Verkada Guest, LPR, Alarm events, and Helix events into Verkada’s Alert Inbox, enhancing their ability to monitor, assess, and respond to critical issues.
“Each new product and feature that we introduce is purpose-built to serve our customers’ evolving needs,” said Brandon Davito, Senior Vice President of Product and Operations at Verkada.
“Whether it’s our new two-camera multisensor to monitor entry and exit points more effectively or our customisable, cross-product alerting capabilities, every addition to Verkada’s platform is designed to support efficient enterprise deployments today and scale with our customers into the future.”
Dahua expands WizColor product offerings
Dahua Technology has released the newest addition to its WizColor product offerings, expanding its capabilities with five new categories: WizColor + 4K, WizColor + PT, WizColor + Vari-focal, WizColor + HDCVI, and WizColor + 4G.
WizColor + 4K offers 4K resolution with enhanced detail preservation, superior nighttime clarity with minimised image noise and blur, and AI-ISP optimisation for vivid and natural image colours.
WizColor + PT ensures all-round security with its multi-directional monitoring and flexible PT adjustment capabilities, making it ideal for various SMB surveillance needs.
WizColor + Vari-focal’s zoom capability enables clear visibility of distant details even in low-light environment. These products also offer comprehensive surveillance of both panoramic and detail views, as well as adjustable focal length to change the camera’s field of view, enabling a singlelens camera to monitor multiple areas effectively.
WizColor + HDCVI’s High Definition Composite Video Interface technology enables long-distance HD video transmission over a wide range of application scenarios at a budgetfriendly cost.
In addition to enhanced colour and low-light performance, the solution is equipped with LDC technology that corrects the overall image distortion to make the monitored scene consistent with the real scene.
WizColor + 4G eliminates the need for additional illumination in the monitored scene during nighttime, thereby extending the device’s operational longevity and fostering a more environmentally friendly approach to surveillance.
Johnson Controls expands industry-specific solutions Johnson Controls (JCI), which celebrates its 140th anniversary in 2025, has unveiled solutions designed specifically for the non-acute healthcare and correctional facilities industries.
The company’s non-acute bundled solution combines security and fire prevention technologies to help modernise healthcare facilities, improve safety and enhance overall patient and staff experience:
• Video Surveillance & Access Control – Strengthening physical security and facility oversight with AI and data analytics.
• Weapons & Gunshot Detection – Leveraging a cloud-based security solution to enhance threat prevention.
• Fire Safety Innovations –Suppression systems such as connected sprinkler systems and emergency lighting that can improve safety.
“By integrating advanced security, fire prevention and technologies that connect building systems, Johnson Controls is helping to create safer, more resilient non-acute healthcare environments,” said James Burke, vice president, product sales & lifecycle solutions at Johnson Controls.
“Our latest bundle leverages industry expertise and advanced
technology to streamline operations, optimise staffing resources and can enhance patient and staff safety in outpatient clinics, urgent care centres, long-term care facilities and more.”
Additionally, JCI is expanding its correctional facilities offerings to address the growing challenges of outdated and often overlooked buildings, helping communities ensure that they have the necessary infrastructure to enhance security and emergency response.
“Nearly one-third of correctional facilities are over 50 years old and are in critical need of key upgrades –from security systems to mechanical equipment,” said Greg Parker, vice president, lifecycle solutions at Johnson Controls.
“Not only can these upgrades enhance overall conditions and safety for facility personnel, inmates and visitors, but the utility bills can also be lower due to overall operational efficiency.”
ADT and Yale collaborate on fingerprint control ADT in collaboration with Yale and the Z-Wave Alliance, has announced the launch of the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Z-Wave for ADT+.
The Z-Wave 800 Series smart lock is the only smart lock on the market with fingerprint control and the first to leverage the newly introduced Z-Wave User Credential Command Class. This
innovation allows users to unlock and disarm their ADT+ security system using just their fingerprint.
ADT is also rolling out a major update to the ADT+ app, introducing Home | Away functionality, which leverages geofencing to provide realtime household awareness and automate security settings based on user presence.
“ADT, alongside our partners at Yale and the Z-Wave Alliance, is setting a new standard for smart home security,” said Omar Khan, Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer at ADT.
“With the introduction of the User Credential Command Class and updates to ADT+, we’re not just launching a new lock—we’re redefining how security systems and smart locks work together. This is a leap forward for home security, combining convenience and protection in a way that has never been done before.”
The Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Z-Wave 800 Series is designed to integrate seamlessly with ADT+ for an elevated security experience, offering multiple unlocking methods, including the new fingerprint recognition for biometric-based security, keypad code entry, traditional physical key access, virtual key control through the ADT+ app, or Trusted Neighbor’s Auto Unlock feature.
“The Touch Lock represents a major leap forward in how smart locks and
The Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Z-Wave for ADT+ allows users to unlock and disarm their ADT+ Security System using just their fingerprint
security systems work together,” said Gilles Drieu, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at ADT.
“Developed in close collaboration with Yale and the Z-Wave Alliance, the introduction of the User Credential Command Class enables secure, biometric access while setting a new benchmark for interoperability across the smart home industry.”
Milestone Systems acquires brighter AI
Milestone Systems announced the acquisition of brighter AI effective 01 April 1 2025. Berlin-based brighter AI provides anonymisation solutions for video data based on deep learning technology to protect people’s identities in public.
One of the biggest challenges in developing AI solutions is finding and accessing sufficient data that can be used. This challenge is significant in video data, where it is particularly difficult to find data that does not contain sensitive personal information. Brighter AI’s anonymisation technology delivers regulatory-compliant data, providing a solution to this challenge.
The addition of brighter AI is set to strengthen Milestone’s offerings for video management software, video surveillance as a service and video analytics.
“brighter AI is a perfect match for Milestone. Their proven technology is top-notch and will give us a wider offering to existing and future technology partners and customers,” said Milestone CEO Thomas Jensen.
“The anonymisation tool for video technology will also enhance our focus on responsible technology. Even more important, our two company cultures are highly compatible. Having known brighter AI for a while, as we have an established collaboration on Project Hafnia, I have complete faith that this will be a great benefit for all.”
First environmental sensors for Axis
Axis Communications has announced the AXIS D6210 Air Quality Sensor and AXIS D6310 Air Quality Sensor, the company’s first environmental sensors.
The new sensors integrate with existing Axis solutions to monitor multiple indoor air quality parameters, enabling efficient and appropriate response to indoor air quality issues, including vaping and smoking, and the proactive management and optimisation of air quality in almost any indoor environment.
AXIS D6210 and AXIS D6310 monitor indoor air quality by detecting vaping and smoking, and air pollutants such as particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, and carbon dioxide, in addition to measuring relative humidity and temperature.
AXIS D6210, available in the first half of 2025, can be integrated with certain other Axis IP devices, including a number of cameras and a strobe siren, without the need for additional IP addresses, switch ports, or power. The indoor air quality sensor is installed between the connected device, for instance an Axis camera, and the power source, adding extra functionality to the connected device.
It can be located up to 100m from the IP device or power source. Using the same IP address means that the sensor and connected device are set up for easy system management.
AXIS D6310, available by the end of 2025, is a standalone IP network device, and can therefore be added independently to an existing Axis solution.
Towards a sustainable identity: the challenge of plastics in identity documents
The integration of recycled polycarbonate and sustainable plastics into identity documents is a sign that industry is becoming more sustainable, writes Grégory Magnasco, Marketing Director, Linxens Government.
As the ecological transition becomes a global priority, the industry of identity cards and documents is also being called to rethink its practices. Historically focused on security, physical durability, and technological innovation, the industry is now addressing its environmental footprint.
Traditionally, identity cards, passports, and other secure documents are made from synthetic materials, often virgin, materials chosen for their robustness and ability to incorporate advanced security features. Polycarbonate has become the gold standard due to its longevity, tamper resistance, and compatibility with laser personalisation. However, the technical excellence of these materials should not overshadow a major challenge: their environmental impact.
Polycarbonate: durable but imperfect
Unlike other plastics, polycarbonate has a long lifespan, making it a responsible choice when considering the product’s lifecycle.
A polycarbonate identity card can last more than ten years without significant degradation, reducing the need for frequent renewals and therefore conserving resources. Nevertheless, its production relies on fossil resources and generates a considerable carbon footprint.
A new path forward
Researchers at the University of Bath have developed an innovative chemical recycling process for common plastics such as polyesters and polycarbonates, which works at room temperature. Unlike mechanical recycling, which degrades the material with each cycle, this new method could enable “infinite” recycling.
The process uses zinc complexes and methanol to quickly break down plastics and recover reusable components such as bisphenol A and DMC. This technique also works on other plastics such as PLA and PET, paving the way for the creation of new high-value materials, particularly for biomedical applications.
A step towards a circular economy for identity materials
The good news is that alternatives are emerging. The development of recycled or partially recycled polycarbonates is opening the door to a circular industry. Many stakeholders are investing in research to integrate post-industrial or post-consumer materials into card production without compromising security or quality.
Pilot initiatives, particularly in Europe, are already testing the use of recycled plastics in short-lived documents such as access badges and transport cards, with promising results. The next challenge is to extend these innovations to highly secure documents, overcoming technical and regulatory barriers.
Eco-design as a new standard of trust
Simply adopting recycled materials is not enough. The entire value chain must be reevaluated: reducing unnecessary layers, optimising printing and personalisation processes, enhancing end-of-life recyclability, and even integrating collection systems.
A deep transformation is underway: digital and physical identity is becoming a marker of ecological responsibility. States, institutions, and manufacturers that commit to this path are sending a strong message: security is no longer incompatible with sustainability.
A matter of innovation
By combining technological innovation, security standards, and environmental responsibility, our industry can become a model for the transition toward more responsible and more exemplary identity solutions.
NZSA CEO’s May Newsletter
In this monthly update, NZSA CEO Gary Morrison covers Ministerial Advisory Group Retail Crime, NZSA Board Cadet Appointment, NZSA Independent Board Chairperson Appointment, 2G and 3G Network Shutdown, 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.
SGM (Special General Meeting) Vote Outcome
I’m pleased to advise that we received unanimous support from those members who voted and the proposed changes to our constitution (rules) were approved.
The key change involves our Membership classes, and the introduction of an annual SelfAudit for Corporate and Accredited Corporate Members.
With immediate effect, approved applicants for NZSA Corporate Membership will now be recognised as Provisional Corporate Members and must, within the period of six to twelve months following acceptance, successfully complete the NZSA Self-Audit as evidence of operating in compliance with Good Practice Guidelines and NZSA Codes of Practice.
On completion they will be recognised as NZSA Corporate Members but those who fail to complete the Self-Audit may have their membership terminated.
The requirement to complete the Self-Audit on an annual basis will now also be a requirement for current Corporate Members and Accredited Corporate Members (being those who have been audited by the NZSA).
The Self-Audit will take members approximately one to two hours to complete and is supported by the attachment of evidential documents. The self-audit comprises core elements and requirements from the NZSA Codes of Practice and is intended to encourage and support continuous business improvement for NZSA members.
On completion, members will be required to submit the Self-Audit document for review by the NZSA independent auditors and where applicable, the auditor may provide feedback or guidance to the member.
Another important change to the constitution is the recognition of Probationary Applicants. This applies to businesses who have been referred to the NZSA by the Registrar of the PSPLA as needing guidance and support in meeting good practice guidelines as a condition of retaining their company security license.
This recognises that the removal of a licence by the PSPLA may result in the loss of employment for workers within that business and that there may be genuine reasons for the business failing to meet licensing conditions. The NZSA will work with and assist these businesses in addressing identified shortfalls and in lifting their standards, and potentially acceptance as a Provisional Corporate Member.
Ministerial Advisory Group Retail Crime – Powers for Security Officers
Since our last report the government has announced that it will be amending the Crimes Act 1961 to give all citizens greater ability to arrest or detain thieves stealing from retail stores and committing other crimes.
As noted in the media at that time, the NZSA is fully supportive of updating the Act and the intent behind the proposed changes, however it is critical that the legislation is carefully drafted and provides clear definitions
and protections specific to security officers, retailers and the general public.
Consistent with this, it is the NZSA’s position that security personnel entrusted with utilising enhanced security powers must have completed advanced training delivered by qualified and approved trainers and possess a “Specialist or Advanced Security Officer” endorsement on their CoA (this approach has been supported by the PSPLA).
Whilst MoJ (Ministry of Justice) has commenced work on the amendments to the Crimes Act, there will be the need for ongoing consultation with stakeholders (including the NZSA and our members) and it is unlikely that there will be any changes to the legislation until mid-2026.
In the meantime, we have maintained regular engagement with the Ministerial Advisory Group and provided input and guidance into the use of FRT (Facial Recognition Technology) and suggested changes to the Trespass Act.
NZSA Board Cadet Appointment
The Board Cadet programme was launched last year and provides an exciting opportunity for an employee of one of our members to join the NZSA Board as a Cadet for a two-year term.
As a Cadet they will be fully immersed in board activity, but their role is non-voting.
The programme allows the candidate to gain knowledge and experience on the operation of boards and to upskill themselves for future board placements. The NZSA board also benefits from increased diversity and having a pathway for future board membership.
Following recent advertising we are currently interviewing five short-listed candidates and expect to announce the successful candidate within the next few weeks.
NZSA Independent Board Chairperson Appointment
As announced in our last newsletter, our current Independent Chairperson, Gray Paterson, will be standing down at the upcoming AGM after five years in the role.
Gray has been instrumental in lifting the performance and professionalism of our board, and in ensuring a strong and robust approach to governance and strategy, so finding a worthy replacement will be a challenge.
Our listings on the Appoint Better Boards and Institute of Directors sites have now closed and we will be working through the thirty plus applicants over the next few weeks, with the intent of interviewing shortlisted candidates
through May and having the successful candidate confirmed and in place for the AGM on 19 August.
As an observation, the quality of the applicants for the position has been exceptional and provides a resounding vote of confidence from skilled board directors into both the governance and financial position of the NZSA, it’s Executive and Board.
New Work-Based Learning Model
In late April the Minister for Vocational Education announced the government’s decision to introduce an industry-led independent workbased learning model as outlined on the Tertiary Education Commission’s website here.
The industry-led independent model was consulted on earlier this year, but has a modified transition phase, designed to give industry a greater role in determining the future of the work-based learning system.
To enable the transition to this new model, Industry Skills Boards (ISB’s) will be established on 1 January 2026 to ensure the qualifications needed by employers across the country are available to all providers. The ISB’s will replace the WDC’s (Work Development Councils) and from 1 January, all apprentices and trainees currently enrolled with EarnLearn will transfer to an ISB for up to two years.
We appreciate this is all very confusing and continues the uncertainty that has resulted from the Labour governments ROVE (Review of Vocational Education) with the disestablishment of the ITO’s and creation of Te-Pukenga (EarnLearn) and WDC’s.
There is still a lot of detail to be provided but the potential outcomes look positive.
For learners in the Electronic Security sector, we envisage minimal change with training continuing to be provided by ETEC whereas for the Protective Security Sector, the Level 3 and 4 training will over time move from EarnLearn to industry-led PTE’s (Private Training Enterprises).
Through our Special Interest Groups, we will continue to engage with our existing WDC’s (Ringa Hora and Waihanga Ara Rau) and look to influence the best possible outcomes for security industry apprentices and trainees as the new ISB’s are set up.
Updates will be provided as we receive further information.
Partnership with ShopCare
We are pleased to announce a partnership with ShopCare that will allow our members free access to their respective expertise and resources.
ShopCare is a Charitable Trust that is dedicated to improving the health, safety and wellbeing of retailers and their supporting supply chains across New Zealand, including security providers to the retail sector.
Particularly of relevance to NZSA members, ShopCare provides a number of free online training modules addressing violence and aggressive behaviour (VAB), managing the psychosocial impacts of VAB, and building cultural competency in the workplace.
NZSA members can access these training modules on shopcare.org. nz/training or join the ShopCare community on shopcare.org.nz/join-us.
NZSA Submission re Government Procurement
We recently submitted a paper to MBIE as part of the government’s consultation process for proposed changes to the Government Procurement Rules, including removal of requirements for contractors to meet the Living Wage.
Our submission was largely supportive of the proposed changes however we did recommend placing additional weighting on the importance of industry body membership and also for the retention of requirements to meet Living Wage.
The issue of Living Wage is somewhat contentious and members I talked to had differing views, however most supported retaining the requirement for contractors to government to meet Living Wage given the risk of driving prices down if removed.
Our submission did however also recommend significant changes to how the Living Wage is calculated, and importantly having responsibility sit
with MBIE (currently a function of the Family Centre Social Policy Research Unit) and using pre-determined measures.
New Zealand Security Awards –Nominations and Event
Details of this years’ awards event are covered later in this newsletter but a reminder to lock the date into your diary (Friday 26 September at Grand Millennium Auckland) and to start giving thought to worthy candidates under the various award categories with nominations opening 1 July.
2G and 3G Network Shutdown
We remind members of the pending 2G and 3G network shutdowns and the impact on communication devices that more than 7 years old. Devices affected include:
• 2G Radionet Falcon and Enterprise modules
• 3G Permacon modules (white PM45 devices but not the white PM24 CATM1 devices)
• 3G T4000 modules
• 3G Paradox PCS modules
• 3G DSC TL modules
• 3G AJAX alarms (early modules)
• 3G Bosch 3000 and 6000 modules
• 3G Connect module
• 3G Arrowhead module
If uncertain, we recommend talking to your supplier to get manufacturer model numbers.
NZSA Membership Renewals
Thank you to all of our members who have renewed their membership for the 25/26 year.
Whilst we have a small number of members yet to confirm payment, it looks like our renewal rate will be in the high 90% range which is consistent with previous years and very high when compared to other industry associations.
Hopefully that reflects positively on our focus on providing value for our members.
As always, we welcome all comments and feedback on NZSA or industry issues and activity.
Keep safe and well.
NZSA Special Interest Groups (SIGs) Updates
NZSA provides updates in relation to the Security Consultants, Security Training and Professional Development, and Electronic Security SIGs.
Security Consultants SIG
The Security Consultancy Special Interest Group (SCSIG) continues to have strong representation and enjoy good discussion. The group has recently been focussed on the New Zealand Crowed Places Strategy and how best NZSA can support this initiative as was the original plan.
As a result, NZSA have co presented a number of Crowded Places training sessions with NZ Police and will be sponsoring an up-and-coming national training event. The SCSIG is also assisting NZ Police with strategy for implementation.
The group has also discussed a range of other topics and will shortly be developing a plan to ensure effort is placed into areas which will best benefit NZSA and its member.
If you have any Security Consultant areas of interest which you feel deserves NZSA focus please contact Jonathan Howe on Jonathan.Howe@beca.com or Gary Morrison on gary@security. org.nz.
Security Training and Professional Development SIG
One of the key work workflows in progress within the Training SIG is the development of training resources and assessment material for use with the three new NZQA Skill Standards that will be used as part of the Certificate of Approval (CoA) mandatory minimum training requirements.
These Skill Standards will eventually replace the current unit standards that a new guard must have as part of their CoA application with the PSPLA.
We have established a project team led by Arnie Tulloch and made up of interested parties drawn from security companies, security training providers, security trainers and relevant subject matter experts.
The project goal is training material that meets the national curriculum and a common set of assessments. This will ensure consistent outcomes for new guards and their employers, irrespective of where they completed their training or who provided it.
The project is well underway, and we are hopeful of having the resources and assessment materials ready for use by the third quarter of this year.
We welcome enquiries from industry participants who would like to participate in the STPDSIG contact Andy Gollings on andy@redbadge. co.nz.
Electronic Security SIG
As part of the NZSA Electronic Security Special Interest Group (ESSIG), a working group was formed to present key Electronic Security topics in 2025 to the Insurance Brokers Association of New Zealand (IBANZ).
The ESSIG team delivered a presentation titled “People, Technology, and Best Practices for Electronic Security in 2025.” The online session was educational in nature, providing an overview of the role of NZSA and highlighting the core pillars of the security industry:
People – the importance of skilled advisors and installers.
Technology – the evolution of security systems, with particular focus on the emerging impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity considerations.
Best Practices – Working with standards and specifications in mind, and where to find these.
The session was very well received, and future collaborative events between NZSA and IBANZ are planned to continue promoting best practices and industry alignment.
Into the month of May we are looking at topics such as privacy associated to Biometrics and AI.
We welcome member participation and invite those who may be interested to contact either Mike McKim on mike@channelten.co.nz or Gary Morrison on gary@security.org.nz.
Supermarket trial of FRT: Privacy Commissioner Inquiry results announced
New Zealand’s Privacy Commissioner has announced the trial by Foodstuffs North Island of live facial recognition technology to have been in compliance with the Privacy Act, but improvements needed.
New Zealand Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster
Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster has found that the live facial recognition technology model trialled in 25 Foodstuffs North Island (FSNI) supermarkets is compliant with the Privacy Act.
His Inquiry report released today, however, shows that any business considering or using FRT needs to make sure it sets things up right to stay within the law.
“While the use of FRT during the trial was effective at reducing harmful behaviour (especially reducing serious violent incidents) it has also shown that there are many things that need to be taken into account,” said Mr Webster.
“FRT systems have potential safety benefits, but they do raise significant privacy concerns, including the unnecessary or unfair collection of people’s information, misidentification, technical bias which can reinforce existing inequities and human bias, or the ability to be used for surveillance”.
“These issues become particularly critical when people need to access essential services such as supermarkets. FRT will only be acceptable if the use is necessary and the privacy risks are successfully managed”.
The Privacy Commissioner’s Inquiry into Foodstuffs North Island’s trial use of live FRT set out to understand its privacy impacts, its compliance with the Privacy Act, and to evaluate if it was an effective tool in reducing serious retail crime compared
with other less privacy intrusive options.
Privacy safeguards make the difference
The Inquiry found while the level of privacy intrusion was high because every visitor’s face is collected, the privacy safeguards used in the trial reduced it to an acceptable level.
“Foodstuffs North Island designed the privacy safeguards used in the trial with feedback from my Office,” said the Privacy Commissioner. “This has provided some useful lessons for other businesses which may be considering using FRT.”
Key privacy safeguards in place during the trial included:
• Images that did not result in a positive match were deleted immediately, as recommended by OPC – this meant there was very little privacy impact on most people who entered the trial stores.
• The system was set up to only identify people who had engaged in seriously harmful behaviour, particularly violent offending.
• Staff were not permitted to add images of children or young people under 18, or people thought to be vulnerable, to the watchlist.
• There was no sharing of watchlist information between stores.
• During the trial, the operational threshold that triggered an FRT alert was raised from 90% to 92.5%
likelihood of the images matching, reducing the chances that people would be misidentified while managing down the “computer says yes” risk.
• Match alerts were verified by two trained staff, ensuring that human decision making was a key part of the process.
• Access to the FRT system and information was restricted to trained authorised staff only.
• Images collected were not permitted to be used for training data purposes.
• Systems were reviewed and improved during the trial where misidentifications or errors occurred.
Improvements needed
“There is still some work to do to increase the safety and effectiveness of FRT software use in the New Zealand context, as FRT technology has been developed overseas and has not been trained on the New Zealand population,” he said.
“As a result, we can’t be completely confident it has fully addressed technical bias issues, including the potential negative impact on Māori and Pacific people. This means the
technology must only be used with the right processes in place, including human checks that an alert is accurate before acting on it.”
“Some improvements will also need to be made by FSNI before the use of FRT is made permanent or expanded to more stores. These focus on ensuring the documented processes and system settings are updated to match what happens in practice, including ongoing review of the use of FRT to make sure its use is justified as an effective tool for reducing serious harm offending.
“I also expect that Foodstuffs North Island will put in place monitoring and review to allow it to evaluate the impact of skin tone on identification accuracy and store response, and to provide confidence to the regulator and customers that key privacy safeguards remain in place.”
“The trial findings will help other businesses to ask the right questions about whether FRT is necessary and appropriate for them and to understand what they would need to do to set FRT up and run it in a privacy protective way.”
Minister welcomes result
The Government has welcomed the report , with Justice Minister Paul
Goldsmith calling it “great news”.
“[The report] found the technology is effective at reducing harmful behaviour towards retailers, especially serious violent incidents,” he said. “This is great news for businesses that are considering using the technology as a means to protect their livelihoods.”
He added that the report notes that privacy concerns must be carefully safeguarded.
“I expect our Ministerial Advisory Group will continue to look at this technology as an option to be used more widely and engage with the sector on it. I’ll be encouraging the MAG to take this report into serious consideration.”
The FSNI FRT trial started on 8 February and ended on 7 September 2024 and was conducted in 25 supermarkets. During the trial, 225,972,004 faces were scanned (includes multiple scans of the same person). 99.999% of these deleted within one minute, and there were 1,742 alerts of which 1,208 were confirmed matches. OPC is currently developing a Biometric Processing Privacy Code, which applies to biometric information, including a photo of someone’s face used in a Facial Recognition System. The new Code is expected to be published in mid-2025.
Facial Recognition in Supermarkets: It’s legal, but do New Zealanders really want it?
The Privacy Commissioner has concluded that the live FRT model trialled by Foodstuffs North Island is compliant with the Privacy Act, but New Zealanders remain uncomfortable with the use of the technology by retailers, writes 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.
It’s been an interesting few weeks for observers of facial recognition and privacy in Aotearoa, if not a little confusing.
On 04 June, Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster released his finding that the live facial recognition technology (FRT) trialled by Foodstuffs North Island (FSNI) in 25 of its supermarkets is compliant with the Privacy Act.
The 74-page inquiry report provided reasonable detail relating to the finding, listing the privacy safeguards put in place during the trial that reduced the privacy risks of the FRT deployment to “an acceptable level”. It also identified improvements that would need to be made before deployment of the technology by FSNI can be made permanent or expanded.
It’s a big win for FSNI and for various organisations championing the use of FRT in retail, including Retail NZ, members of the Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) for Victims of Retail Crime, and advocates of the tech among security vendors and service providers.
It’s also an outcome welcomed by Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith, who lauded the result of the Privacy Commissioner’s report as “great news” and now expects the MAG to “continue to look at this technology as an option to be used more widely”.
Yet it’s not such great news for the 41% of New Zealanders canvassed in a survey published by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) just three weeks previously who stated that they are ‘concerned’ or ‘very concerned’ about the use of FRT in retail stores to identify individuals.
Ironically, the OPC has crunched the legislative data on the supermarket trial and found it to be compliant, yet it’s also crunched the public sentiment around retail FRT and found it to be unequivocally deficient.
So, although it may be legal, is FRT in retail stores something that New Zealanders actually support?
OPC privacy survey reveals massive misgivings
The survey of over 1,200 New Zealanders found that 41% of respondents are ‘concerned’ or ‘very concerned’ about the use of facial recognition technology (FRT) in retail stores to identify individuals. A total of 25% are neutral on the topic, 31% are either not so concerned or not concerned at all, and 3% are unsure. 49% of Maori respondents indicated concern over FRT in retail.
Removing the responses of respondents who were either unsure or uncommitted (neutral) in relation to their thoughts on FRT in retail, the results indicate a significantly
higher proportion of respondents are concerned about the use of the technology in retail (41%) compared to those who are not (31%).
For comparison, in last year’s survey, 49% of respondents stated that they were concerned or very concerned about the use of facial recognition technology in retail stores. 22% were neutral, 25% were either not concerned or not really concerned, and 11% were unsure. Those aged 30-44 were more likely to express concern about retail use of facial recognition (55%), and women and Maori were more likely to say they were concerned.
These headline figures indicate a marginal decline in concern over the past year, but without understanding the underlying data or survey framing, it is not possible to confidently draw insights from this.
What insight we can confidently draw from both surveys is that the proportion of New Zealanders concerned about the use of FRT in retail is significantly greater than the proportion who are not.
OPC and Foodstuffs data contradictory
This year’s OPC survey results come six months after the results of a survey commissioned specifically by FSNI to gauge public support of its 25-store trial.
As part of the trial, the supermarket cooperative commissioned the survey to gauge how “New Zealand consumers feel about the use of facial recognition (FR) in retail settings”. Among its results, the survey claimed that 66% of respondents were accepting of the use of FRT, “even if the impact it has on reducing harm from incidents of retail crime is minimal.”
Conducted on behalf of FSNI by branding and consumer insights consultancy One Picture, the survey of 1,007 shoppers also found that 79% of respondents would accept the use of FRT even if it only achieved a 0.7% reduction in harm, 86% would accept it if it achieved a 3% reduction in harm, and a staggering 89% would accept FRT if it achieved a 10% reduction in harm.
As I wrote last December, these results wildly contradicted the results of the survey conducted by the OPC earlier in 2024, and they were also inconsistent with established international data on FRT public acceptability published in several peer-reviewed survey-based academic research studies.
The results now also contradict the findings of the OPC’s latest survey.
Social licence for
FRT in retail remains low
Like other comparable jurisdictions, the available statistics indicate that the
New Zealand public remains divided in relation to their acceptance of FRT generally and the deployment of FRT by retailers in particular.
While the Foodstuffs trial is likely to have contributed to raising the public profile in New Zealand of FRT in retail and perhaps contributed in some part to differences between the 2024 and 2025 OPC survey results, it nevertheless does not appear to have shifted the public support dial in favour of FRT in stores.
On the contrary, despite FSNI’s contention that FRT in supermarkets “has strong public support”, the OPC’s most recent findings indicate the clear absence of widespread public support for FRT in retail.
The 25-store trial does not appear to have convinced New Zealanders generally of the value of offering up their biometric privacy so that retailers can derive loss prevention and security efficiencies via FRT.
In the meantime, FSNI has reported winning two categories at the 2025 New Zealand Retail Risk Fraud Awards “for its work trialling facial recognition and its commitment to crime prevention, staff safety, and working with law enforcement.”
The awards, which took place in Auckland in March, are organised by international retail events company Retail Risk, which organises free events for retailers that are paid for by sponsor/exhibitor vendors, which include providers of facial recognition solutions.
Given the impressive developments in facial recognition technologies in recent years, no one should reasonably doubt its efficacy. It is very effective at identifying potential matches for the purposes of loss prevention and other security-oriented applications. It is simply great tech. It is, in a word, revolutionary.
And now retailers can be confident that if they deploy it correctly it can also be compliant with privacy legislation.
Effective, absolutely. Legal, yes. But as the OPC’s own data makes clear, surveyed public sentiment suggests that FRT in retail is a long way from being acceptable.
Why organisations should prioritise physical security risk management
ICARAS Security Consultants lists five compelling reasons why physical security risk management should be central to organisations’ strategy.
In a world of evolving threats, from vandalism to workplace incidents, physical security risk management (SRM) is a cornerstone of organisational resilience. SRM involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks to your people, premises, and assets, ensuring your business remains safe and operational.
Far from a one-off task, SRM is a proactive strategy that empowers organisations to stay ahead of physical security challenges.
Here are five compelling reasons why physical SRM must be at the heart of your organisation’s strategy:
1. Stay ahead of regulatory compliance
New Zealand’s regulatory framework sets a high standard for physical security. The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 mandates robust measures to protect staff, customers, and visitors from harm, such as workplace accidents or violence. For government agencies, the Protective Security Requirements (PSR) outline strict protocols for securing facilities and assets.
Failing to comply can result in hefty fines, legal action, and reputational damage. A strong SRM strategy ensures your organisation meets these obligations, keeping you compliant and secure.
2. Safeguard your reputation
Your reputation hinges on safety. A physical security incident—whether it’s vandalism, theft, or a safety breach— can erode the trust of customers, partners, and investors. In today’s connected world, news of a break-in or workplace incident spreads quickly, leaving lasting damage to your brand.
SRM demonstrates your commitment to protecting people and property, reinforcing stakeholder confidence and preserving your organisation’s integrity.
3. Minimise financial fallout
Physical security breaches carry steep costs. Theft, vandalism, or workplace accidents can lead to direct losses, such as damaged property or stolen assets, alongside indirect costs
like legal fees and operational downtime. For instance, a 2024 New Zealand report highlighted that vandalism in the education sector alone cost millions annually.
SRM helps identify vulnerabilities—such as weak access controls or inadequate surveillance—before they’re exploited, saving your organisation from financial strain.
4. Ensure business continuity
A physical security incident, like a break-in or workplace violence, can halt operations, disrupt supply chains, and alienate customers. SRM equips you to anticipate threats, implement controls like secure access systems or staff training, and respond effectively if an incident occurs. A robust SRM plan minimises downtime, ensuring your business stays operational and resilient, no matter the challenge.
5. Gain a competitive edge
In a competitive market, safety sets you apart. Organisations that prioritise physical SRM signal reliability and care, building trust with customers and partners. Whether it’s secure premises or well-trained staff, demonstrating a commitment to physical security can give you an edge over competitors who neglect these priorities, making your business the preferred choice.
SRM: A continuous commitment
Physical security risk management is an ongoing process. Regular risk assessments, updated security measures, and staff training are vital to address emerging threats like rising vandalism or gang-related activity in New Zealand. By embedding SRM into your operations, you protect your people and assets while fostering stronger stakeholder relationships and a resilient business.
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Is Kenya’s president safe in a crowd? Security expert scans VIP protection checklist
Douglas Lucas Kivoi, Principal Policy Analyst at the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis, provides insights into what it takes to protect the African nation’s head of state.
Douglas Lucas Kivoi is Principal Policy Analyst, Governance Department, The Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA)
Protecting any president requires multiple layers of intelligence, physical security and rapid response security protocols. Exact operational details are classified, but there are global best practices in VIP protection.
The issue of presidential protection in Kenya has become particularly relevant following an incident in early May 2025 when someone in a crowd threw a shoe at President William Ruto during a public event, hitting his hand.
I have studied policing and security policies in Kenya for over 15 years, interacting closely with the country’s security protocols. In my view this incident exposed several critical security lapses around the elite officers tasked with protecting the president.
The security of the president is a critical issue in Kenya. The country is exposed to terror groups like the Somalia-based Al-Shabaab and other criminal networks in the region.
In 2021, a businessman embedded himself into the presidential motorcade and drove into then president Uhuru Kenyatta’s official residence . In 2017, an unidentified man who was said to have illegally accessed the highly protected state house grounds was shot dead by presidential guards .
There are multiple layers to Kenya’s protection protocols. They include National Intelligence Service officers, the Kenya Defence Force , Presidential Escort Police officers drawn from the highly trained General Service Unit , bomb disposal experts and regular
police officers. Their deployment depends on the nature of the presidential engagement.
While the shoe incident may be passed off as simply embarrassing, it should serve as a wake-up call to tighten security protocols around the president without necessarily compromising his public engagement with citizens.
What’s in place
Prior to any presidential visit across the country, security teams conduct a thorough reconnaissance of the destination. This includes coordinating with local policing agencies, clearing airspace, mapping secure transport routes and identifying nearby medical facilities in case of emergencies.
Presidential motorcade routes are pre-planned and a dry run is made. This often includes mapping alternative routes to avoid predictability should there be assailants along a presidential route. It is common to see some roads temporarily closed and security officers conducting sweeps for any threats or explosives. In areas deemed high risk, counter security sniper teams are covertly deployed in strategic areas.
Cases of attacks on presidential motorcades are rare in Kenya. However, in 2002 during presidential campaigns, angry opposition supporters stoned then president Daniel Moi’s motorcade. In November 2021, an angry mob hurled rocks at then deputy president Ruto’s motorcade.
The National Intelligence Service and Presidential Escort Unit covertly scout locations in advance, assessing potential security vulnerabilities. Crowd sizes, and entry and exit points for the head of state are mapped out in advance.
In cases where meetings are held in town halls or huge tents, attendees are screened using metal detectors and/ or physical searches. Uniformed and plainclothes security officers embed themselves in the crowd to monitor any threats.
The president and any dignitaries accompanying him have at least three layers of security. The inner ring consists of close protection officers who are always within an arm’s length of the president to physically thwart any threats. The middle ring has armed security guards who watch for, among others, sudden movements and abnormal behaviour within the crowd. The outer ring consists of regular police and paramilitary units from the General Service Unit who secure the outside perimeter.
The presidential motorcade is a coordinated convoy of heavily armoured vehicles. It includes lead and chase cars, communication units and emergency response teams. Traffic is managed by local traffic police officers to ensure unobstructed movement. Routes are kept confidential until necessary.
The president’s security may opt to use a decoy vehicle if there is a security threat, to confuse and derail potential risk sources. In all these cases, there is a contingent of specialised General Service Unit officers, called the Recce unit , that always accompanies the president.
Kenya’s presidential security precautions follow standard VIP security protection like those for heads of state across the world. However, in some neighbouring countries, for instance, presidents move in heavily armed military convoys. This has not been seen in Kenya.
If a potential threat is detected, the president is immediately shielded and whisked away to a secure vehicle or evacuated by air in high-risk events. In such cases, the Kenya Defence Forces secures the president.
Despite stringent security measures, incidents can occur. For instance, in March 2025 , a British tourist was fatally hit by a vehicle in Ruto’s motorcade. This prompted investigations and reviews on motorcade safety protocols.
Such events highlight the challenges of balancing presidential security with public safety, especially in densely populated urban areas.
Security failures
The shoe-throwing incident targeting Ruto highlighted five major failures in presidential protection protocols.
First, crowd screening and access control failures. The alleged assailant was very close to the president, suggesting an inadequate distance between the crowds and the president. The inner ring of security also failed to spot the perpetrator raising a shoe in the air to use as a projectile. This indicates weak front-row eye sweeps and scans by the president’s security.
Second, there was an apparent delay in security response. The elite officers around the president should have subdued the alleged attacker within seconds. It could mean most had their
eyes on the president or cameras, as opposed to scanning the crowds for any sudden movements.
Third, security allowed the president to stand too close to a crowd that hadn’t been screened. Best practices require a no-go zone of three to five metres for individuals who have not been scanned or screened.
Fourth, there was an apparent gap in intelligence and threat assessment. Aggressive or agitated people next to the president should draw the attention of security officers. Plainclothes security officers are usually deployed to monitor crowd behaviour. It isn’t enough to rely on uniformed officers.
Undercover agents are critical for flagging pre-attack signals, such as nervousness or repeated adjustments of positions.
Fifth, there was no clear evacuation plan for the president. After the incident, the president continued speaking. In high-risk scenarios, protocols often demand instant relocation of the president to a secure vehicle or helicopter, where the military takes over and airlifts him to safety.
What should change
Kenya’s presidential security detail may be forced to:
• increase standoff distance between the president and crowds
• deploy more plainclothes officers to blend in and monitor crowds around the president
• mandate stricter screening of those in close proximity to the president
• conduct more frequent security risks drills for rapid neutralisation of potential threats
The exact details of presidential security in Kenya are confidential. However, the overarching structure aims to provide comprehensive protection to the president while maintaining public safety and order during official engagements. No security protocol is 100% foolproof. But a balance needs to be struck between overly aggressive crowd control and accessibility.
This article was originally published in The Conversation on 09 May 2025.
Research indicates online threats cost New Zealanders
$1.6 billion in 2024
More than half the country experienced an online threat and 830,000 people experienced some financial loss, according to 2025 Cyber Security Behaviour Tracker.
The National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) annual survey, conducted by The Research Agency (TRA) indicates the financial loss suffered by New Zealanders due to online security threats is around $1.6 billion.
The research found 54% of adult New Zealanders had experienced an online threat in the last six months and 830,000 had experienced some financial loss, with the average amount lost per attack being $1,260.
“If these numbers are extrapolated across the adult population, it indicates that around $1.6 billion was lost last year,” said Mike Jagusch, the NCSC’s Director Mission Enablement.
These numbers are much higher than what is reported to the NCSC through its reporting channels.
“We know cyber security attacks are underreported. We also know that direct financial loss is only one of the many effects of cyberattacks. These incidents also lead to loss of time, loss of personal information and impacts mental wellbeing.”
“Overall, cyberattacks have a significant cost on New Zealand’s economy and on New Zealanders.”
According to the survey, New Zealanders are becoming increasingly confident in their ability to navigate cybersecurity, with 71% of respondents stating that they are quite or very confident with online security in their everyday lives. This is up from 67% in November 2023 and 63% in October 2022.
The research shows that almost everyone agrees it’s important to protect themselves online, and more than half took steps to protect themselves in the last six months.
“It is encouraging to see so many people engaged in new cyber security behaviour,” Mr Jagusch said.
These behaviours include using two-factor authentication on main accounts, changing default passwords on devices like Wi-Fi routers, and using a password manager.
“We also saw apathy was a common barrier among those who did not take cyber security actions.”
Apathy is also a key reason for not reporting incidents. The research showed there was a decrease in reporting cyber incidents.
“It’s easy to think nothing happens when you report,” said Mr Jagusch.
“Your reports help us to better understand the threats we face and helps us to shape our response.
“It also helps other New Zealanders keep safe from similar attacks and keep them from losing money.
The survey interviewed a nationally representative sample of 1,006 New Zealanders aged 18 years and over, and covered demographics, cyber security awareness, knowledge, barriers to change, behaviours and information sources.
Fieldwork ran from 25 November to 03 December 2024. The data was post-weighted to be representative of the New Zealand population in terms of age, gender, region, and ethnicity.
Better protections and compensation for scam victims
Banks are set to better protect Kiwi consumers from scams by introducing stronger safeguards and a compensation scheme.
New commitments introduced to the New Zealand Banking Associate Code of Banking Practice mean that if a bank fails to adequately warn and protect a consumer from a scam, they will reimburse the victim up to $500,000.
“This is an important win for bank customers, who have been advocating for some time for better recognition from banks of the role they play as the final gate between a consumer and a scammer,” said Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson.
“Last year the Government wrote to banks outlining our expectation that banks take greater responsibility for protecting Kiwi consumers,” said Mr Simpson. “I am pleased that banks have responded to this directive and are updating their Code of Banking Practice with five new commitments to better protect customers, including pretransaction warnings and identification of high-risk transactions.”
“Banks will also take a more active role in preventing scams, by participating in information sharing agreements across industry and government and educating people. Stopping scams before they happen is the best strategy.
“Online scams cause immense harm to our wider economy, as consumers lose confidence transacting online. The fear generated by scams runs directly counter to efforts to digitise our economy.
“While people still need to remain vigilant and take responsibility for their own online safety, these changes will enable consumers to check a payment is legitimate before transferring money.
“I expect banks to continue to prioritise security and adapt to the ever-evolving scams environment,” he said.
“I have made similar expectations clear to telecommunications companies and digital platforms and look forward to progressing a cross-industry approach with them.
The five commitments introduced to the New Zealand Banking Associate Code of Banking Practice include:
1. A Confirmation of Payee service for customers to check that the name of the person they are paying matches the account number, which has already commenced roll-out
2. Pre-transaction warnings to consumers based on the payment purpose
3. Identification of and response to high-risk transactions or unusual account transaction activity, and the ability to block or delay transactions in some cases
4. Providing a 24/7 reporting channel for customers who think they’ve been scammed, and responding to protect accounts
5. Sharing scammer account information with other banks to help prevent criminal activity, and freezing funds where appropriate
The updated Code comes into force on 30 November 2025, which is intended to allow banks time to get the protections in place.
Focus on unruly tenants improves behaviour
A Government directive to take firmer action against abusive Kāinga Ora tenants has led to improved tenant behaviour says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka.
In March 2024, Ministers instructed Kāinga Ora to end its Sustaining Tenancies Framework, which had allowed tenants to stay living in a Kāinga Ora home no matter how abusive or disruptive their behaviour.
“Living in a taxpayer-funded social house is a privilege,” said Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “The vast majority of social housing tenants are respectful of their home and courteous to their neighbours, but unfortunately they are let down by a small minority who threaten and abuse their neighbours or wilfully damage their home.”
“Our Government campaigned on focussing in on these unruly tenants, and new data shows our approach is leading to improved behaviour.”
According to Mr Potaka, 63 tenancies have been terminated for abusive, threatening, or persistent disruptive behaviour over the past 10 months. This compares to 11 tenancies
being ended for disruptive behaviour in the previous financial year, and just two in the financial year before that.
“Formal warnings for tenants whose behaviour is putting their tenancy at risk have increased by more than 600 per cent compared to the previous financial year, with 1,463 being issued in 2024/25 so far,” he said.
“Around 80 per cent of warnings – known as section 55a notices – have been first notices and 18 per cent were second notices. Third notices, which can trigger the end of a tenancy, made up just two per cent of warnings.”
“I’m also pleased to see that the time taken to address complaints to Kāinga Ora about tenant behaviour has reduced significantly. In January 2024 it took an average of 60 days to take action in response to a complaint. In April 2025 it had reduced to less than 12 days.”
“This data shows that the vast majority of disruptive tenants are
taking the notices seriously and changing their behaviour to prevent receiving a second or third notice. And where they don’t change their behaviour, we’re no longer putting up with it.”
“There are whānau who have been living in angst from their neighbours abusing the privilege of a taxpayer funded home, so we’ve taken swift action to get on top of it.”
“The Government is taking an approach that ultimately benefits everyone involved, by reducing negative behaviour through formal warnings and following through with real consequences in the rare circumstances that behaviour doesn’t improve.”
“I thank Kāinga Ora staff for their work to improve tenant behaviour, particularly noting that in doing so they have to navigate some very challenging situations. We look forward to further improvements in this space.”
REACH NEW HEIGHTS in Professional Excellence
ASIS accredited certifications can help you reach your career goals.
Validates your ability to conduct security investigations through the effective use of surveillance, interviews, and interrogations. Designed for those with 5 years of related experience.
WH Y EARN THE PCI DESIGNATION?
• Provides independent confirmation of your specialized skills in security investigations
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Be one of the many ASIS board certified practitioners who are leaders, mentors, and trusted strategic partners, serving both their organizations and the profession.
“PCI is an important element in the ASIS C ertification programme, dovetailing into both CPP a nd PSP for a comprehensive understanding of broader security industry objectives. An effective and reliable investigation depends on objectivity, thoroughness, relevance, accuracy and timeliness. PCI helps identify critical investigative outcomes, including evidence collection, case management, and the process of offender detection, iden tification, interview and prosecution. Good physic al security designs, together with robust policies and procedures are key elements in a successful investigation. The PCI certification p rov ides an insight into how these pieces interrelate."
- D avi d H orsburgh, MSc CPP PSP PCI
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• Build a strong, dedicated team committed to high standards and continuing professional development
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