New Zealand Security Magazine - October-November 2024
From the Editor
TSS becomes exclusive distributor of Paradox in New Zealand
Celebrating New Zealand’s Unsung Protectors: New Zealand Security Awards 2024
Green Buildings: 4 ways an Access Control System can boost your sustainability scorecard
Tougher sentences to improve transport safety
A last minute amendment to NZ’s gang legislation risks making a bad law worse
Force Multiplier: Targeting gangs to minimise social harm
Insider Threat: Intelligence snapshot for New Zealand organisations
NZSIS Security Threat Environment Report: More Work Required
World-leading research into systemic bias points the way for policing in community
NZSA CEO’s September newsletter
Police announce phased plan to reduce mental health service
Celebrating New Zealand’s Unsung Protectors: New Zealand Security Awards 2024
Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority enforcing the Act
ASIS International announces 2024 ASIS Awards of Excellence recipients
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.
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.
Kia ora and welcome to the October-November 2024 issue of New Zealand Security Magazine! It’s awards season, and this year saw Tamaki Makaurau Auckland play host to the big event – we cover all the winners in this issue of NZSM!
Firstly, a big thanks also to our wonderful advertisers who continue to partner with us despite uncertain economic times. Our advertisers are committed to our industry. Through their sponsorship of this magazine they play an important role by contributing to a vibrant and informed security sector. Our gratitude for this fourth issue of NZSM for 2024 extends to our supporters and leading manufacturers and distributors TSS (Trade Security Supplies), Loktronic , HID , Hikvision , and simPRO . We’d also like to recognise our association and academic content partners for this issue, the NZSA and Massey University’s Centre for Defence and Security Studies
NZSM was again proud to be a category sponsor at this year’s New Zealand Security Awards, and it was an absolute honour to be at the Crowne Plaza to celebrate the amazing finalists and award winners. Congratulations to all of you, and especially to Steve King from Advanced Security Group (NZ) Ltd who was awarded both the Install and Service Electronic Sector (Corporate) Technician of the Year and the 2024 Security Professional of the Year Award!
Also inside, Police Minister Mark Mitchell writes that sweeping operational, legislative, and sentencing reforms will empower police and place victims at the heart of the justice system. More beat police, a focus on gang disruption, new restrictions around patches and gatherings, and tougher sentencing settings are intended to enable Police to target gangs despite considerable resourcing constraints.
The NZSIS has be en busy publishing reports recently, including their latest Security Threat Environment Report. Short on evidence, methodology, and analysis, writes Massey University Associate Professor Damien Rogers , it isn’t the NZSIS’ best effort. NZ Police has also released or been the subject of several recent reports, including a world-leading research project into police systemic bias, which features inside.
There’s plenty more great reading inside this issue of NZSM, including a great article by ICARAS Security Consulting’s Jamie Williams on the insider threat risks facing New Zealand organisations, and a selection of the latest PSPLA complaint decisions.
Also, if you haven’t already, consider subscribing to our regular eNewsletter THE BRIEF It’s a great way to keep up-to-date with the latest. If you’re not already an NZSM subscriber, make sure you visit www.defsec.net.nz to sign up! Lastly, from the team here at NZSM, congratulations to all nominees, finalists and award winners at the New Zealand Security Awards, and congratulations to the NZSA for again putting on a great event!
Nicholas Dynon, Auckland
DEFSEC
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TSS becomes exclusive distributor of Paradox in New Zealand
It’s been a big couple of months for Trade Security Supplies (TSS). The distributor became exclusive with Paradox on 15 August, and in September opened its Christchurch office and welcomed new team member Brent Stokes.
Exclusive Paradox distributor
It’s official: TSS is now the exclusive distributor of Paradox alarms in New Zealand! The announcement was made on 15 August, only months after TSS set up shop in March this year as a Paradox supplier.
“We have a dedicated focus on Paradox,” Managing Director Andrew Moss told NZSM. “While many distributors are big on accumulating brands, I’m doubling down on specialisation so that we deliver unrivalled service to our Paradox customers.”
“TSS is fully stocked up on all Paradox products, and feedback on our Paradox focus has been great,” he said.
Meet the TEAM
“We’ve had a huge uptake in customers, and when I look at our people it’s easy to understand why. Our team’s got more than 100 years of combined Paradox experience
“There is no better Paradox team. They’re passionate about alarms, and they’re passionate about Paradox.”
Hundreds of Paradox customers have already signed up with TSS, but Andrew says there are more installers throughout the country who stand to benefit from TSS’ seamless set-up process.
“If you haven’t yet, get in touch with us. We pre-approve Paradox installers for credit, so onboarding is a piece of cake,” he said.
Hinting that Paradox’s biggest product release is just around the corner, Andrew suggested that it’s a good time to be signing up to receive exclusive updates.
“Reach out to us as the Paradox supplier. Contact one of our friendly team, or register online today! It’s a seamless set-up.”
Brent Stokes joins the team Brent Stokes joined the TSS team on 11 September to deliver Technical Sales based in Christchurch. A security industry stalwart, Brent will be well known to South Island installers.
“We’re stoked to introduce Brent Stokes as our new Technical Sales guru Andrew
027 443 6961
021 222 5590
021 222 9951
in our new Christchurch branch,” said Andrew. “Brent’s got the product knowledge and knack for solutions so he’s here to help assess, advise and deliver!”
“Knowledgeable and experienced, Stokesie is a hugely passionate Paradox man, and he rounds out our experienced core Paradox team of Richard Cutforth, Steve Mace, and Basil Sykes.”
Christchurch office opens Coinciding with Brent’s start, TSS officially opened its new Christchurch branch at 11a Carlyle Street, Sydenham on 16th September.
“It’s great to be opening our office in Christchurch,” said Andrew. We’re already out and about on the South Island, and looking forward to meeting customers new and old.”
South Island customers will now benefit from on-the-ground support on the Paradox and Uniview ranges.
For more information, visit: www.tssupplies.co.nz
0800 72 72 369
021 753 536
TSS’ new Christchurch office.
Green Buildings: 4 ways an Access Control System can boost your sustainability scorecard
Whether switching from PVC to bamboo cards or transitioning to a mobile access system, organisations should leverage opportunities to meet sustainability goals, writes Cristian Cotiga, Vice President of Product Management, Physical Access Control, HID.
As sustainability becomes a core priority for organisations of all sizes, from small businesses to multinational enterprises, facility owners, employers and other decision makers are challenged to take active steps toward environmental friendliness. While many people focus on building systems like HVAC and lighting, one way to enhance sustainability efforts that isn’t always top of mind is through a building’s physical access control system.
Buildings are responsible for an estimated 40% of carbon emissions globally, according to the World Green Building Council . Energy-efficient designs and systems, like the systems that control building access, can help minimise a facility’s carbon footprint, reduce waste, and optimise resources.
Security professionals are increasingly recognising the value of making buildings more eco-friendly, according to the HID 2024 State of Security and Identity report . Over half (56%) of respondents say that sustainability is a top priority for 2024, while 80% say they have seen the importance of sustainability increasing for customers.
In New Zealand, the sustainability impetus has recently been escalated with legislated climate-related standards that took effect in January 2023. The new laws require large publicly listed companies, insurers, banks, non-bank deposit takers and investment managers to make mandatory climate disclosures.
After an initially educative approach to implementing the new requirements, the Financial Markets Authority may well take a more compliance-oriented approach from 2026. Similar changes are afoot across the ditch in Australia, and there will no doubt be trickle down effects.
As you consider ways to boost your organisation’s overall sustainability efforts, here are four considerations for how your physical access system can help boost your green scorecard.
1. Pulling the plug on plastic PVC and other plastic materials have long been used to manufacture so many of the cards we use day to day, from credit cards to gift cards to access cards. PVC production requires energy, often from burning fossil fuels, leading to greenhouse gas emissions. We also have a better understanding that this type of plastic doesn’t biodegrade in the environment. In fact, these materials can take up to 500 years to decompose
on their own, and while doing so, can release toxins into the environment. Replacing plastic cards with cards made from environmentally friendly materials can help reduce negative impacts while decreasing energy consumption and waste. Bamboo access cards, like HID’s Seos® Bamboo credentials, are a recent innovation that provides a PVC-free, sustainable alternative to cards made mostly out of plastic — one that’s just as secure and reliable.
To verify sustainable sourcing, look for bamboo cards certified by an independent organisation, like the Forestry Stewardship Council® (FSC®). Credentials made using this renewable resource can contribute toward an organisation’s sustainability goals, including those seeking certifications such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM®) and Zero Waste to Landfill.
If you’re considering bamboo access cards, it’s important to know that they are not designed for use cases that require photo credentials or other printed elements. Users should avoid keeping them in humid or wet environments. Also, look for a vendor with a program to support
recycling of the plastic cards as they are deprovisioned and replaced.
Other eco-friendly alternatives are also becoming available, including a paper-based credential for short-term use and a polylactic acid-based (PLA) card made from biologically sourced material.
It is worth noting that in New Zealand the Ministry for the Environment is planning to consult on regulations to support e-waste product stewardship in 2025.
2. Making the case for cardless
Some scenarios may always require use of a physical card, like one made from bamboo. In other cases, mobile access systems take sustainable solutions one step further, allowing people to access secured doors, networks and more through their mobile device rather than PVC cards. Every mobile credential issued translates into one less piece of plastic in landfills.
In our Cradle-to-Grave Life Cycle Assessment , where we compared mobile access to ISOProx PVC credentials, mobile access has substantially less negative environmental impact than ISOProx PVC cards, by every measure – from global warming potential to ozone depletion.
Choosing mobile security
credentials reduces resources related to manufacturing, distribution and even provisioning. For example, a PVC card might be manufactured in Asia, shipped to the U.S. for printing, then shipped again to a company’s headquarters in Europe — all before it gets into the hands of the end user.
In addition to PVC production and card distribution, there are environmental costs associated with card provisioning. According to BRANZ , a typical New Zealand commercial building consumes energy at the rate of 100–300 kWh/sqm per year. When you factor in the energy consumption, along with the need to be producing and replacing potentially many thousands of PVC cards over 10 years, the carbon footprint is significant.
In contrast, security administrators can create and provision mobile credentials from a cloud-based portal, eliminating carbon emissions as well as resources like plastic and ink typically used in physical card manufacturing.
As organisations go increasingly digital — and in some cases fully digital — mobile access can contribute to less reliance on plastic and a lower carbon footprint. In addition, this solution offers the convenience both system administrators and end users, like employees, are beginning to expect in a
digital-first world.
When selecting a card-free access system, it’s essential to work with a vendor who designs customer-driven features that make the transition easy, flexible, scalable, and as cost-efficient as possible. The right vendor will support your efforts for the full life cycle of the mobile access system, from considering your current assets to scaling system integration to monitoring that ensures your credential flows are seamless.
3. Getting real with real-time location systems
Leverage existing mobile access control systems for real-time location systems (RTLS). In this approach, facilities and employers use accurate positioning of people to manage a building more sustainably.
Data from the access system can be integrated into existing smart building technology, which can analyse the pseudonymised data and guide a decision to, for example, reduce ventilation in an empty part of a building. This real-time intelligence and analytics can support sustainable decision making around office space utilisation, underuse monitoring, and asset and energy management.
Customers who are implementing a mobile access system and smart building system should look for
solutions that include RTLS functionality, which may not require significant additional infrastructure investment. However, it’s important to work with experienced partners who can guide you through the integration of existing systems.
With a solid RTLS system in place and the appropriate building management system integration through APIs (Open Application Programming Interfaces), organisations can implement strategies to better use the resources that facilities require, such as HVAC, lighting, cleaning, and water. As a result, organisations can operate more effectively with a mindset on sustainability practices.
Optimising building energy use can be evidenced by frameworks such as the NABERSNZ star ratings, which is an independent system backed by the New Zealand government.
4. Energising sustainability by reining in energy use
Whether the credential is mobile or bamboo or PVC, physical access control card readers operate on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and/or near-field communication (NFC). Readers need to be active constantly to control access to doors, elevators, turnstiles and more. This results in constant energy consumption, which can impact sustainability efforts, particularly in organisations that require hundreds, or even thousands, of readers.
Transitioning to readers that consume less energy can improve a building’s sustainability. Look at a reader’s environmental product declaration (EPD) for transparency around its energy usage. The EPD will also provide a holistic view of the reader’s life-cycle environmental impact, from manufacturing to disposal, so you can make informed decisions about how a particular reader will impact green initiatives.
Access readers with EPDs can help contribute toward LEED certification. Likewise, third-party certifications, like GreenCircle, can provide assurance that a reader provides the life-cycle qualities that assure its eco-friendliness.
In addition, the longevity of the reader’s service life on the wall can also
be an important consideration for the environment — and your sustainability efforts. A reader that lasts only three years requires much more energy and materials to replace than one that lasts 10 years.
Choose a reader manufacturer proven to design high-quality, lowenergy readers that stay in commission for long periods and provide futureproofing, allowing administrators to upgrade readers in the field as security technology evolves.
Energy consideration isn’t just for onsite components like readers. Digital aspects of a physical access system, like cloud computing, aren’t inherently “green.” For example, the data centres that make cloud computing possible have an environmental impact. From cables to cell towers to air conditioners and computer servers, this infrastructure can have a significant impact on waste as well as water and energy usage.
Some manufacturers like HID are conducting studies to determine and document how much energy is consumed by their cloud services for solutions such as mobile access. With information from these studies, it will be easier to make informed decisions
even about using mobile physical access systems and the impact on your own environmental goals.
Sustainability has gone beyond buzzword
In the discussion about access systems and sustainability, there is one more point to consider. Generation Z, born between 1995 and 2010, is often credited with making decisions based on their concern for the planet. As the environment’s health becomes more of a priority for all age groups, putting sustainability into action can have a positive impact on every stakeholder, from employees and visitors to potential investors and the community. What’s more, solutions like sustainably sourced bamboo cards or mobile access serve as daily visual representations of an organisation’s commitment to sustainability.
Organisations should leverage every opportunity to meet their sustainability goals. Whether you switch from PVC to bamboo cards or transition to a mobile access system, you can leverage the access system to measurably boost those efforts while ensuring secure access to physical and digital places.
Tougher sentences to improve transport safety
The Government is introducing a new aggravating factor for offences against public transport workers, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have announced.
“In recent months, there has been a worrying increase in abuse and attacks on public transport workers. We want to send a strong message that any attacks on bus drivers, taxi drivers, and anyone working on a public transport train or ferry will not be tolerated,” Mr Goldsmith said.
“Building on the Government’s sentencing reforms package, this change will help ensure there are 20,000 fewer victims of violent crime by 2029 and reducing serious repeat youth offending by 15 percent.”
“All those working on public transport deserve to feel safe while delivering an important service to their communities. These hardworking New Zealanders often work alone with little to separate them from their passengers,” Mr Brown said.
“Our Government is responding to these terrible incidents by introducing tougher consequences for those who engage in this cowardly behaviour.”
The Government is investing $15 million through Budget 2024 to deliver practical improvements to bus driver safety and working environments.
“Attacks on bus drivers and passengers have become far too common as New Zealand has faced an unprecedented crime wave. Industry has been calling for better, safer work environments for bus drivers, and our Government is delivering.
“Local authorities will soon be able to apply for funding for safety improvements, including retrofitted safety screens and real-time CCTV monitoring. Funding will also be made available to provide better restroom and break facilities for drivers.
“It is important we have the bus drivers required to deliver efficient and reliable public transport services so
Kiwis can get to where they want to go, quickly and safely. These practical improvements are critical to improving working conditions so we can recruit and retain drivers,” Mr Brown said.
The Government is working with the public transport sector to develop new national guidance on managing passenger safety.
“Following a horrific attack on a young student travelling on a bus in July, I asked officials to look at what can be done to ensure greater safeguards for passengers and drivers on buses while the Government continues to restore law and order.
“Each bus operator is currently responsible for setting its own procedures for responding to attacks or altercations onboard. As a result, inconsistent processes are plaguing the system within the same city, let alone across the country, ultimately putting passengers and hardworking bus drivers at risk.
“Our Government is working with the sector to develop new national guidance on managing passenger safety and responding to incidents to ensure greater consistency and to improve bus safety,” Mr Brown said.
Hon Paul Goldsmith, Justice Minister Hon Simeon Brown, Transport Minister
A last minute amendment to NZ’s gang legislation risks making a bad law worse
New gang laws contain bad ideas, and they also breach New Zealand’s constitutional standards and processes, writes Kris Gledhill, Professor of Law, Auckland University of Technology.
The government’s new gang legislation – now split into the Gangs Bill and the Sentencing Amendment Bill – is expected to pass its third reading soon. But a last minute amendment, added after public consultation closed, has raised more questions about legislative overreach.
Broadly speaking, the legislation will make gang membership an aggravating factor at sentencing, and criminalise the display of gang insignia in public. It also allows the police to order gang members in public to disperse, and to apply for a court order banning communication between members for three years.
The recent amendment would prohibit possessing gang insignia in a private setting by issuing gang insignia prohibition orders.
While the government has argued the new rules will act as an effective deterrent to gang membership, it is not clear how these laws will stand up to New Zealand’s own Bill of Rights Act.
Making membership a crime
People join gangs for various reasons. For some, it is a matter of family connections, for others gang membership may arise from being marginalised from society.
The Royal Commission on Abuse in Care highlighted that abuse was also a pathway into gang membership. And a 2018 report highlighted that the overuse of imprisonment feeds gang recruitment.
Kris Gledhill is Professor of Law at Auckland University of Technology.
Under existing sentencing rules judges are required to take into account any connection between offending and gang activity. As an aggravating factor, it can lead to a longer sentence.
But the new Sentencing Amendment Bill will instead require a judge to take into account gang membership.
This is problematic for two key reasons. Firstly, it assumes offending which has no link to a person being in a gang is somehow worse because of their membership.
Secondly, it suggests people should be punished for being in a gang without them being prosecuted for that gang membership. This is unnecessary. It is already a serious offence under section 98A of the Crimes Act 1961 to participate knowingly in an organised criminal group.
Insignia behind closed doors
The new gang insignia prohibition order has a three-strikes element to it. If a person is convicted of publicly displaying gang insignia three times in five years, the court will be required to ban them from possessing or controlling gang insignia for five years. Breaches will be criminal, meaning
police will have various powers to search.
The last-minute amendment also “prohibits […] gang insignia being present at the person’s usual place of residence”.
In essence, it will make it illegal for repeat offenders to live in the same place as gang insignia is displayed –regardless of whether the insignia is theirs or belongs to someone else on the property.
Breaching the Bill of Rights
The Attorney-General advised parliament the government’s approach to banning insignia in all public places breached the right to freedom of expression under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990.
In short, the right to freedom of expression is not limited to inoffensive expression. Rather, a constitutional democracy requires people to tolerate some offensive behaviour.
In Morse v Police, which involved a protester burning the New Zealand flag in sight of an Anzac Day parade, the Supreme Court found the Bill of Rights required courts to give legislation the meaning which “least restricts” human rights.
In 2011, the High Court also ruled a gang patch ban in all public places in Whanganui was an overreach in Schubert v Wanganui District Council.
A more tailored approach needed
As the Attorney-General noted, there could be a more tailored offence that protects the public from intimidation by gangs. It could, for example, be illegal to wear gang patches in places such as schools and hospitals. This reflects the current law in the Prohibition of Gang Insignia and Government Premises Act.
The new non-consorting orders also have various preconditions that allow the courts to uphold the right to assemble while still establishing restrictions.
Similarly, the police have to take various factors into account when issuing a dispersal order (telling two or more people to leave a certain area), including whether the order is necessary to prevent unreasonable disruption of the public. This allows rights, including the right to assemble, to be respected.
But aside from some limited exceptions, such as reasonable use for artistic purposes, the insignia ban has no language protecting the fundamental rights on which democracy is based.
Since the new rules seem to require courts to breach human rights supposedly guaranteed by the Bill of Rights Act and our international treaty obligations (most obviously the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights), it can be expected that lawyers and judges will explore ways around them.
As New Zealand does not have a supreme law constitution, our fundamental rights and traditions are safe only if the politicians in power at the time are willing to respect them. On examination, the new gang laws clearly contain bad ideas. But they also breach our constitutional standards and processes.
This article was originally published in The Conversation on 06 September 2024.
Force Multiplier: Targeting gangs to minimise social harm
Operational, legislative, and sentencing reforms will empower police and place victims at the heart of the system, writes Hon Mark Mitchell, Minister for Police, Minister for Corrections, and Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery.
Hon Mark Mitchell MP is Minister of Police, Minister of Corrections, and Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery. He is a former Defence Minister and previously a New Zealand Police officer and private security contractor.
Police do incredible work with the time and resources they have, but their capacity is limited. To keep up with ever increasing demand, Police need to be smart about targeting the areas that will have the most impact on crime and safety.
Despite being less than 0.25% of New Zealand’s population, Criminal Gangs in New Zealand are responsible for 18% of all serious violent crime, 19% of all homicides, and 25% of all kidnapping and abductions. They commit 30% of all non-cannabis drug supply offences, and 29% of drug manufacturing and distribution offences. The social harm they cause is measured in the hundreds of millions. They are a blight on our society, causing
harm everywhere they go, and causing law-abiding citizens to feel unsafe.
The opportunity for Police, is that by targeting a small group of gang members, a massive amount of harm can be prevented. Police know this and are keen to get started. The coalition government is supporting them to do just that.
This includes investing in Police to deliver an additional 500 frontline Police Officers. Alongside boosting the number of Police on the beat across the country, Police have allocated 77 of the new Officers to newly established Gang Disruption Units. The Units will be located in areas where we see the highest levels of gang activity, with dedicated teams focused on suppressing and containing the misery gangs cause.
Mongrel Mob was founded in1962 in the Hawke’s Bay. Image courtesy of RongoKeene/ Wikimedia Commons.
We also have a large legislative programme that will give Police more powers and tools to go after gang members who break the law.
Last week saw the passing of the gang patch Bill banning the display of gang insignia in all public places, meaning by the end of November, gang members won’t be able to flaunt their patches and intimidate Kiwis.
It will also stop gang members from gathering in public. Police will be able to intervene when a gang meeting is disrupting members of the public by issuing dispersal notices, so that they can’t associate with one another for seven days. This will be supplemented by new non-consorting orders, which can stop gang members from engaging with each other for up to three years.
We’ve campaigned on this for a long time, and now we are walking the talk and delivering.
We’ve also just introduced a new package of sentencing reforms – so that criminals face proper consequences for their crimes. These reforms will cap sentencing discounts that judges can apply at 40 percent and prevent the use of remorse discounts for repeat offenders.
It will also introduce a new aggravating factor for those who offend against sole charge workers – like dairy owners or service stations, and for those who live stream or post their crimes online or exploit children by aiding them to offend.
It’s a big suite of reforms – also encouraging the use of cumulative sentencing for offences committed on bail, in custody or on parole, implementing a sliding scale for early guilty pleas with a maximum sentence discount of 25 percent, reducing to 5 percent for a guilty plea entered during the trial. Finally, it will also amend the principles of sentencing to include any information provided to the court about victims’ interests.
These changes begin to reset our justice system to rid New Zealand of lawlessness and put victims – not criminals, at the heart of the system. When we deliver on these aims we can meet our target to ensure there are 20,000 fewer victims of violent crime, and a 15 percent reduction in serious youth offending by 2029.
Image courtesy of Stuartyeates/Wikimedia Commons
Head Hunters Motorcycle Club was founded in 1967 in Auckland. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Insider Threat: Intelligence snapshot for New Zealand organisations
Distrust in government, financial distress, emerging technologies, and the evolving nature of work are contributing to the risk posed by insider threats in New Zealand, writes Jamie Williams, ICARAS Security Consultants’ Security Risk Management Lead.
Jamie Williams is Security Risk Management Lead at ICARAS Security Consultants.
Recent Incidents
Police Data Breach (2023): A manager for the crime reporting line in Auckland accessed confidential police files and shared them privately, leading to their publication on social media. This incident underscores the risks associated with unauthorised access to sensitive data by trusted employees in law enforcement.
Operation Selena (2021): A joint Customs and Police investigation resulted in at least 24 people being charged, including individuals connected to ports and airports, for drug smuggling activities.
Auckland Police Officer Data Breach (2019): A police constable pleaded guilty to illegally accessing the police’s National Intelligence Application (NIA) system for dishonest purposes over 13 months. The NIA contains nearly two million New Zealanders’ sensitive personal information, including criminal histories.
Health NZ Te Whatu Ora Data Breach (2023): A former employee allegedly accessed and leaked sensitive COVID-19 vaccination data. The unauthorised data publication affected at least 12,000 people, primarily COVID-19 vaccinators.
Ports of Auckland Drug Smuggling (2021): A container with 30 kg of methamphetamine was smuggled through the port with the assistance of insiders, highlighting the vulnerability of maritime borders to insider threats. This incident underscores ongoing
efforts by criminal to recruit “clean skins” with access to restricted areas.
Air New Zealand Baggage Handlers
Methamphetamine Smuggling (20202022): Multiple incidents involving baggage handlers at Auckland Airport smuggling large quantities of methamphetamine were uncovered, with one case involving 118kg hidden in a flight’s bulkhead. These cases demonstrate the persistent risk of insider threats in airport security and the potential for large-scale drug trafficking operations.
Note: These incidents represent publicly disclosed cases from open sources.
Threat Assessment
Overall insider threat level: HIGH. It is highly likely that most medium to large organisations in New Zealand will face some form of insider threat incident within the next 12 months. There is a realistic possibility that at least one major insider threat incident with national implications will occur in a critical sector within the next 24 months.
Negligent insiders pose the most frequent threat. It is probable that the shift to remote and hybrid work models has increased the frequency of unintentional data exposures by employees. Many of these incidents likely go undetected or unreported, masking the true scale of the problem. Organisations with inadequate security training programs are at substantially higher risk.
Malicious insiders, while less common, are assessed as probable to cause the most severe damage when incidents occur. Financial gain remains the primary motivation, followed by revenge or ideology. The current economic climate and potential job insecurities could increase the risk of employees turning to malicious insider activities.
There is a realistic possibility that conspiracy-motivated insiders represent an emerging threat type, particularly in sectors dealing with sensitive or controversial information. The spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories online is contributing to this threat. Sectors such as healthcare, scientific research, and government agencies are at higher risk. Traditional insider threat detection methods may be less effective against this type of insider.
It is highly likely that organised crime groups will continue attempting to recruit insiders, especially in border control and transportation sectors. Economic pressures may make some employees more susceptible to recruitment. Sectors with access to valuable goods or sensitive information (e.g., ports, airports, financial
institutions) remain primary targets. The evolving nature of work and AI technology is likely to introduce new vectors for insider threats. AI technologies present both new opportunities for threat detection and novel challenges in insider threat management. There is a realistic possibility that malicious insiders could leverage AI tools to enhance their capabilities, making their activities more sophisticated and harder to detect.
Mental health struggles and financial distress are likely exacerbating insider threat risks. A 2022 survey found that nearly half of Kiwis said distrust was their default emotion. This distrust, particularly in government and media, is driving some individuals to alternative information sources, some of which may promote conspiracy theories that foster further distrust.
Government efforts to counteract conspiracy information may inadvertently reinforce conspiracy beliefs in some individuals, potentially increasing the risk of insider threats. It is assessed as highly likely that organisations dealing with sensitive or controversial information will need to
develop strategies to address the impact of widespread distrust and conspiracy beliefs on their insider threat risk profile.
Recommendations
Implement comprehensive insider threat programs: Develop programs that address both intentional and unintentional risks, including regular risk assessments, employee training, and technological solutions for monitoring and detection. Ensure these programs are adaptive to emerging threats and changing work environments.
Enhance security awareness and organisational culture: Foster a security-conscious culture with rolespecific training on emerging threats, including conspiracy-motivated insiders. Encourage reporting of suspicious activities without fear of reprisal. Include education on key indicators of potential insider threats, ensuring employees know what to watch for and how to report concerns.
Leverage AI and advanced technologies: Develop strategies to leverage AI for threat detection while implementing safeguards against AI-related vulnerabilities. Invest in AI-powered anomaly detection systems and implement strict access controls for AI systems and training data.
Strengthen access controls and monitoring: Implement the principle of least privilege and regularly audit access controls, particularly in remote and hybrid work environments. Establish robust off-boarding procedures for departing employees, including immediate access revocation and monitoring of data transfer activities prior to departure.
Establish collaborative informationsharing mechanisms: Partner with trusted organisations and relevant government agencies to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the insider threat landscape beyond publicly reported information Address employee well-being and concerns: Enhance mental health
support and financial counselling services. Develop communication strategies that address employee concerns and foster trust, particularly in sectors dealing with sensitive or controversial information
Conduct regular threat assessments: Regularly evaluate the organisation’s insider threat risk profile, considering broader societal trends such as trust in institutions and the prevalence of conspiracy beliefs. Include assessments of behavioural indicators and work pattern anomalies that might signal potential insider threats.
Implement a “See Something, Say Something” policy: Encourage employees to report unusual behaviours or security violations, emphasising that early reporting can prevent major incidents and help colleagues who might be struggling.
Tailor strategies to the New Zealand context: Develop approaches that address the unique challenges of New Zealand’s workplace culture, including the tendency to minimise security risks and the “it doesn’t happen here” mentality.
Continuous improvement and adaptation: Regularly review and update insider threat mitigation strategies to address evolving threats, technological advancements, and changes in work practices.
Methodology
Insider threat levels are assessed by evaluating the current intent and capability of individuals with authorised access to potentially harm the organisation. Notably, insider threats inherently possess an elevated capability due to their existing access, raising the baseline threat level.
The assessment thus focuses heavily on gauging intent (desire and confidence) and the specific extent of access and knowledge. In the New Zealand context, this evaluation considers local socio-economic factors, cultural nuances, and recent events that might influence insider motivations,
alongside historical incidents and expert insights.
This report provides a snapshot of the general insider threat landscape, guiding organisations to conduct more detailed, tailored evaluations based on their unique risk profiles and operational environments.
Insider Definition
An insider, in the context of organisational security and threat assessment, refers to an individual who has or has had authorised access to an organisation’s networks, systems, data, or physical facilities. This access is typically granted due to the individual’s role as an employee, contractor, or business partner. Key aspects of this definition include:
• Current or Former Access: An insider may be a current member of the organisation or someone who previously had access rights
• Legitimate Authorisation: The insider’s access is or was officially sanctioned by the organisation, distinguishing them from external threat actors.
• Privileged Knowledge: Insiders possess intimate knowledge of the organisation’s operations, systems, and potential vulnerabilities.
• Varied Roles: This includes fulltime and part-time employees across all levels, temporary staff, contractors, consultants, and even trusted third-party vendors or partners.
• Physical and Digital Access: The insider’s access may encompass both physical spaces (e.g., offices, secure areas) and digital assets (e.g., networks, databases)
• Potential for Harm: Due to their position of trust and access, insiders have the potential to significantly harm the organisation, either intentionally or unintentionally.
Insider threats can manifest in two main categories:
1. Malicious Insiders: Intentionally misuse access for personal gain or to harm the organisation.
2. Unwitting Insiders: Unintentionally pose risks through negligence, accidents, or manipulation.
The insider’s unique position of trust and access makes insider threats particularly challenging to detect and mitigate, requiring specialised strategies distinct from those used to counter external threats.
Disclaimer
This insider threat assessment provides a quick snapshot of the current New Zealand environment and should be considered as a general guide. The threat landscape is dynamic and can change rapidly. Each organisation will face unique challenges based on its specific sector, size, assets, and operational context.
The intent of this assessment is to:
• Provide an understanding of the current insider threat landscape in New Zealand
• Offer examples of what organisations should be preparing for
• Serve as a model for how organisations can approach their own insider threat assessments
Organisations in New Zealand are strongly encouraged to:
• Conduct their own detailed insider threat assessments
• Regularly update these assessments to reflect changes in their specific environment
• Tailor their mitigation strategies to address their unique risks and vulnerabilities
Remember, while the baseline threat from insiders is elevated due to their inherent access, the specific level of risk will vary significantly between organisations and should be evaluated on an individual basis.
This article was originally published on the ICARAS Security Consultants website on 22 August.
NZSIS Security Threat Environment Report: More Work Required
Short on evidence, methodology, and analysis, the NZSIS’s latest threat report is not its best effort, writes Damien Rogers, Associate Professor of International Relations and Security Studies at Massey University.
Damien Rogers is Associate Professor of International Relations and Security Studies at Massey University.
It’s good to see the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) release its report on New Zealand’s Security Threat Environment earlier this month. While they get an A+ for presentation, there is a lot more work to do on its substantive elements.
The report describes four important security problems confronting New Zealand today: foreign influence; espionage; insider threat; and terrorism and violent extremism. It then illustrates the ways in which each of these security problems might impact on New Zealanders and our democratic institutions.
This is a promising start, but rather than decontextualise these problems and render them in the abstract, the report needed to put the evolution of these problems in a broader historical context because their causes and intensifiers are complex, dynamic, and worth knowing.
The report also needed to evaluate the likelihood of associated harms and the magnitude of their impact, as well as differentiate among them to show why they are national security priorities. It needed to take a step back, identify, and account for the major events and ongoing trends in contemporary world affairs that might make these problems more likely to materialise or more harmful to New Zealanders if realised.
As well, it needed to consider, and describe for New Zealanders, all the possible responses to these four problems and their likely outcomes before justifying the courses of action chosen by the NZSIS to treat them. Finally, the report needed to evaluate the extent to which the NZSIS has the operational capabilities and resources required to manage these problems.
While methodology is mentioned, the report doesn’t describe the analytical process that informs its assessment. This means it cannot be tested by independent experts. The report mentioned it relied on academic research, but no sources are listed. It also stated academics and subjectmatter experts were consulted but does so without naming them.
This obfuscation deserves remedying because the New Zealand Government now refers to sociologists, demographers, and indigenous educationalists as though they were security experts when, clearly, they are not.
The appointment of co-directors to He Whenua Taurikura is a case in point. One wonders how exactly two academics, without bone fide expertise in Terrorism Studies or Security Studies more broadly, were invited onto the selection panel in the first place but then ended up in taking the roles they were seeking to fill before gaining control of the research funding.
New Zealand’s Security Threat Environment
An assessment by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
case studies are an interesting feature. However, they aren’t case studies. They are, in fact, vignettes.
Collectively, these vignettes tell a story about China and Russia as threats to New Zealand and to the international order. But nowhere in this story is it acknowledged that China and Russia are singled out here as top security priorities because they challenge US hegemony.
Nowhere in this story is it acknowledged that the international order, which New Zealand diplomats and security professionals so desperately want to preserve, creates and sustains the deplorable conditions needed for Israel to attack civilians in Gaza, massacring over 40,000 Palestinians. This grisly and macabre consequence of the US-led rules-based international order is simply written out of the story.
Some of the report’s judgements are questionable too. Let me quote one example: “The NZSIS maintains its assessment that the most likely form of violent extremist attack would be an individual who has self-radicalised, taken steps to avoid detection, and acted alone.” This isn’t a judgement reached by analysing data and assessing trends. It is merely an obvious reckoning made in hindsight. This sparks a concern that the ‘generals’ here
are preparing for the last battle they lost.
Overall, the report is too descriptive, insufficiently analytical, and missing too many key elements needed for a comprehensive and authoritative assessment. If my postgraduate students turned this into me to grade, I’d give it a C+ and encourage them to try much harder.
While the report lacks evidence to support its claims, the series of
The report uses key concepts like ‘strategic competition’ and ‘IndoPacific’ which are US terms that our diplomats and security professionals have seemingly adopted without question. The story reads like it is supposed to reflect and endorse US foreign policy. This raises important questions about the integrity and independence of New Zealand’s foreign policy when its military and intelligence services are so closely integrated with, and in some cases embedded in, the US national security apparatus.
Ultimately, the report’s credibility depends on the NZSIS’s ‘next steps’ since its Director-General, Andrew Hampton, says it is “a starting point for a healthy conversation on keeping each other safe and secure.”
In addition to transparency, the intelligence and security agencies need to actively foster an informed citizenry capable of making their own judgements on security problems and on the performance of their intelligence and security agencies. They also need to start investing in the expert knowledge on New Zealand security that would obviously deepen their understanding of the problems they are obliged to manage.
What the NZSIS will do next, however, remains to be seen.
World-leading research into systemic bias points the way for policing in community
A world-leading research project into police systemic bias, Understanding Policing Delivery (UPD), has released the first suite of seven reports in the three-year programme.
The research has seen New Zealand Police, an Independent Panel, a team of external researchers and a 30-strong Operational Advisory Group of frontline officers work collaboratively to better understand fairness and equity as part of policing in New Zealand.
The first seven reports published on 21 August as part of Phase One used existing information analysed through the lens of ‘fairness and equity’.
Researchers looked at who Police stop, how they engage with them, and decision-making processes on using force and prosecution.
The Independent Panel’s report has made 40 recommendations, some of which Police are already progressing, and some of which will be further informed by Phase Two recommendations due for release later this year, which will draw on additional data and take a closer look at how communities and Police interact daily across a range of services.
“Ultimately, this is about meaningful system change through learning opportunities both in training and on the job,” said Independent Panel Chairperson, Professor Khylee Quince. “Our recommendations cover the gamut from Police training, operations to service delivery,”
Panel recommendations include creating a ‘systems review’ learning approach to shine light on good practice, innovation and positive outcomes.
Importance of trust
Police Commissioner Andrew Coster commissioned the Understanding Policing Delivery programme in 2020 at a pivotal time as Police jurisdictions around the world came under close public scrutiny following the George Floyd killing, the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement, and, in New Zealand, the Waitangi Tribunal Justice System Inquiry and Abuse in Care Inquiry.
The Commissioner invited Tā Kim Workman to Chair an Independent Panel, mandated to monitor Police data and systems and to provide advice back to Police.
“The legitimacy of policing has been questioned by people in many countries, including New Zealand, so this project is a fundamental contribution to the future approach of policing,” said Professor Quince said. “It was created to serve the needs of all our communities.”
Evidence confirmed that how Police officers conduct themselves has an influence on public trust and confidence in the Police – either to strengthen trust or to weaken it.
“If policing is not delivered in a fair and equitable way to all citizens, no matter their ethnicity, disability,
sexuality or other characteristics, it requires us to investigate the root causes and make recommendations for meaningful, systemic change,” Professor Quince said.
The Panel worked in partnership with the Police while guiding and commissioning the research according to kaupapa Māori methodology.
The study examined recruitment and training practices, data collection methods, and the contents of the Police operations manual. The approach was supported by the Police Association and the Police Officers Guild.
“Police come to work every day to make a difference to the safety of all our communities and this work helps to ensure our systems and processes are set up to support them to do just that,” said Commissioner Coster.
“We know that community trust in Police is fundamentally important to our ability to do our jobs. Having that trust encourages more people to report crime, more to provide evidence, and more to support prevention.
“That’s especially important for those communities currently on the wrong end of most justice sector statistics from victims to offenders, and from use of force to prosecution.”
Areas for improvement
The Commissioner acknowledged that the research highlighted a number of areas where there are opportunities for improvements to Police systems.
Findings indicated a number of unsatisfactory and inequitable experiences of Police by Māori, including high levels of TASER deployment, complaints about use of force and warrantless searches. Māori voiced dissatisfaction about the impact police interactions in their homes had on children, feeling unsafe with Police and frustration at inappropriate Police responses to family harm incidents.
“We welcome this level of scrutiny and expectation as an important part of Police being accountable to the
community, and ensuring we retain and build trust from the community,” he said.
“Everyone finds dealing with issues of ‘fairness and equity’ difficult and policing is no different,” noted Dr Catherine Leonard, Managing Director of Ihi Research and Development, one of the appointed researchers.
“The Police and the Operational Advisory Group have been consistently open to learning, willing to engage in challenging conversations about
Understanding Policing Delivery
Independent Panel Report 1
August 2024
equity and exploring Police practices. This is the first step in addressing longstanding issues identified in Police/ community partnerships,.”
According to the Chair of the Independent Panel, taking on learnings and delivering on the interim recommendations to build trust with Māori and communities is the next step for Police.
“These problems are well documented and understood already, however Police have been brave enough to ask the question - what more can they do to make sure their actions and decisions don’t exacerbate the outcomes further for those individuals who are often at the lowest points in their lives?
“We wish to mihi the courage shown to date by the Police,” Professor Quince said.
Recommendations being actioned
The programme specifically focused on Police systems, not individual officer behaviour and was sense-checked by officers against the realities of dayto-day policing, and there are early signs of that the UPD is working operationally.
“We are encouraged that Police have already committed to progressing eight of the 40 recommendations over the next six months,” stated the report’s executive summary.
“The relational model that we have developed with Police, and the inclusion of police officers and employees in the research process means that some of the insights have already been contributing to organisational learning and improvements towards fairer policing, outside of the formal recommendations.”
“There is no point making recommendations if they’re not received, owned and actioned using an appropriate implementation and monitoring mechanism, which includes independent community oversight,” said Professor Quince.
“The outcome of the entire process has proven the high value of taking a relational approach anchored in whakawhaungatanga. This has turned into being an essential part of the solution.”
NZSA CEO’s September newsletter
In this abridged September update, NZSA CEO Gary Morrison covers the ASIAL conference and exhibition, NZ Security Awards, NZSA AGM and Strategic Plan, Ministerial Advisory Group for Victims of Retail Crime, 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.
It has certainly been a busy last few weeks with my attending the ASIAL Conference and Exhibition in Sydney, judging 120 plus nominations for the NZ Security Awards, facilitating the NZSA AGM, and working with our board on putting the final touches to our three-year Strategic/Business Plan.
ASIAL
This was my first time attending ASIAL since 2019 and I came away with some very mixed impressions.
The conference itself was somewhat underwhelming with a maximum of approximately 100 attendees in a large room that could hold 300 to 400, and several speaker sessions with less than 20 attendees.
A number of the speaker sessions had significant relevance to the New Zealand situation including industry licensing, labour shortages (particularly security technicians and monitoring operators) and raising procurement standards, and it was evident that Australia’s introduction of the SOCI Act (Security of Critical Infrastructure) has raised the importance and relevance of the private security sector in managing their critical infrastructure assets.
There was also a heavy focus on Generative AI, particularly from an ethical and legislative perspective and several speakers provided caution about the growing influence of China across the Asia Pacific region and Australia’s
lack of supply chain planning and resilience. These sessions tended to have lower attendance numbers despite having qualified and respected presenters.
One particular point of interest for New Zealand security providers is the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and the challenges that the organisers face in meeting the security resourcing requirements – estimated to be in excess of 17,000 workers for a two-week period. To put that into perspective, Queensland currently has approximately 20,000 licensed security officers and a labour shortage.
It is likely that ASIAL will play an important role in facilitating a multiprovider type structure as utilised for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, with staff probably operating under a special licence class, and I have already signalled that we would be keen
on seeing how our New Zealand based members could potentially assist with resourcing.
Similar to Facilities Integrate in Auckland, the ASIAL Exhibition is now known as Integrate Security and includes both Security and AV providers.
This year’s show had over 100 security exhibitors and the same number of integrate exhibitors, making for a packed, colourful and very busy hall.
Talking to a number of our members over the couple of days, they all found the exhibition worth attending both from the perspective of viewing new products and technology, and for the connections made.
It was very evident that ASIAL continues to be well supported by New Zealand based security providers and users, and whilst the conference seems
to have lost some appeal, the exhibition looks like it will continue to be a “go to” event for us.
New Zealand Security Awards
The finalists for the 2024 New Zealand Security Awards have been announced and I would like to offer my congratulations to all nominees and finalists.
This year we received in excess of 120 nominations across the 19 award categories and the quality of the nominations continues to improve every year. That makes for an interesting challenge for the judges, particularly in the most highly contested categories such as Security Administrator, Security Officer and Security Supervisor/Operations Manager, which received 11, 16 and 17 nominations respectively, and with most being of a very high standard.
A number of the categories were incredibly close in the scoring, but it was very pleasing to see that all four judges were very consistent in their approach and the allocation of their scores which ensured near unanimous agreement on the finalists, and the yet to be named winner, for each of the categories.
It has also been great to see the breadth of industry support with nominations coming from 31 different companies, and the finalists representing 23 different companies.
I’m certainly looking forward to the awards event on the evening of Friday 20 September at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Auckland, catching up with many of our members and industry stakeholders, and celebrating excellence within our industry.
My special thanks to our judges Ngaire Kelaher (ASIS NZ), Lincoln Potter and Colin Pascoe (both Independent Consultants).
2024 NZSA AGM
The AGM this year was held on 27 August and thanks to those members who attended.
At the meeting we appointed two new board members in Alison Kingdon (ADT Security) and JP Dignon (Northern District Security) replacing retiring board members Greg Kitto and Lance Riesterer, and existing board
members Nicola Smith, Teresa Seux and Shane O’Halloran were re-elected for further three-year terms. To view details and biographies for NZSA Board Members please see the NZSA website.
Members also approved the replacement of the existing NZSA Rules with a new Constitution that ensures we meet the requirements of the Incorporated Societies Act 2022.
NZSA 3 Year Strategic/Business Plan
During July we facilitated a twoday meeting for the NZSA Board and Executive team to formalise a Strategy and Business Plan for the next three years.
The plan is built around three key Strategic Objectives, being:
1. Lift standards and capability within the security industry.
2. Achieve legislative and regulatory changes that support industry growth, capability and the safety of our workers.
3. Ensure a responsive NZSA that is the legitimate voice for the industry.
We are close to finalising the plan, with timelines and budgets, and will communicate this to our members, along with the opportunity for feedback, in upcoming months.
Ministerial Advisory Group for Victims of Retail Crime
Ministers Goldsmith and McKee recently announced the formation of a Ministerial Advisory Group for the Victims of Retail Crime that will be tasked with reducing retail crime and serious youth offending.
This aligns closely with our lobbying for legislative and licensing changes that would provide suitably trained and qualified security staff with the legal right to retrieve property and detain offenders when, and where, it is safe to do so.
We have met with Sunny Kaushal, appointed Chair for the Ministerial Advisory Group, and have received a confirmation that the NZSA will be a key stakeholder working closely with the Advisory Group and will play a significant role in achieving the stated objectives and outcomes.
Once we have a better understanding of the scope of the Advisory Group, we will invite member participation in a working group that will help determine our position on key issues.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) Reform Consultation
The New Zealand Government has launched a consultation on proposed vocational education and training system reforms. These reforms aim to address financial challenges in the polytechnic sector, enhance regional responsiveness, and improve industry engagement in vocational education.
The key proposals include:
1. Polytechnic Restructure:
Restructuring the polytechnic network into independent regional institutions and a federation model.
2. Establishing an industry-led system for standards-setting and industry training: Two options for industryled standards-setting and training arrangements:
Option A: Establish a small number (possibly 8) of Industry Training Boards (ITB’s), similar to the old Industry Training Organisations (ITO’s) and the ITB’s arrange training for the industry.
Option B: Replace the Workforce Development Councils (WDC’s) with a small number (possibly 8) of more focused, industry-specific standards-setting bodies.
3. Changing the VET funding mechanisms.
We have some concerns with regards to all three proposals and in particular the overarching focus on returning the polytechnic institutions to profitability rather than ensuring quality outcomes for industry and learners.
We will continue to engage with the consultation process and promote a VET system that is responsive, innovative and fit for the future of work in the security industry.
Inaugural meeting of SCSIG (Security Consulting Special Interest Group) The inaugural meeting of the SCSIG was held early August with approximately 20 attendees.
The purpose of the group is to provide guidance on key consulting issues such as licensing, standards, training, good practice and career pathways.
Meetings will initially be held monthly (one hour duration) with attendance either via Teams or attending the Beca offices in Auckland and Wellington.
If you are interested in attending the next meeting on Thursday 5 September, please contact myself on gary@security. org.nz.
Member Survey re Security Technicians and the Green List
Those who employ Security Technicians are probably aware that we have made several submissions to MBIE and the Minister of Immigration seeking to have Security Technicians added to the Green List for approved residency.
Despite our demonstrating the industry need, and that Security Technicians are similarly qualified and skilled in comparison to other roles that are already approved, our submissions to date have been unsuccessful.
A big thank you to the 29 members who responded to our recent survey on this issue as we now have substantive data that validates the difficulties being faced by our members, and the financial impact of unperformed work due to labour shortages.
We intend to make a further submission this month that focuses on this data and the costs of failing to address this matter with urgency.
New Member Benefit Programme – Samsung
Look out for details of a new and revolutionary member benefit programme that will be launched in the near future and will provide our members, and their staff, with substantial discounts on the purchase of Samsung products.
As always, we welcome all comments and feedback on NZSA or industry issues and activity.
Keep safe and well.
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.
Police announce phased plan to reduce mental health service
Police will introduce new, higher thresholds for attending mental health callouts, with changes to be phased in from November 2024 and completed by September 2025.
Police Commissioner Andrew Coster announced on 30 August the commencement of a reduction in police resourcing of mental health calls for service, to relieve demand pressures.
Police have formally notified Health New Zealand authorities of the introduction of higher thresholds that will prioritise events where there is an immediate risk to life and safety. Events that fall short of the thresholds will not be attended by Police, but directed to more appropriate services.
“It is important to be clear that Police will still attend any jobs where there is an immediate risk to life or safety – that has not changed,” Commissioner Coster said.
“It is well documented that mental health demand is increasing and our challenges in meeting this demand are ongoing and impacting our ability to service other needs in our community.”
Mental health demand accounted for 11% of calls to the police Emergency Communications Centre in the year to May 2024.
“Police receives one mental healthrelated call every seven minutes, taking up about half a million hours of Police frontline time per year,” he said. “Of those events, only 5% had a criminal element and 11% of calls are coded P1 and are given a priority response.
“It has been clear to me for some time, that this is simply not sustainable
and prevents us from keeping other areas of the community safe. It impacts on our ability to deliver core policing services.
To alleviate the level of demand, Police will be phasing a reduction of resources to mental health events that do not have a crime or high level of risk attached to them.
“The programme of change will be rolled out over four phases beginning in November this year with Police introducing a higher threshold of risk before committing staff to responding to requests for mental health transportation, or attendance at mental health facilities,” said Commissioner Coster.
According to Commissioner Coster, from 1st November Police staff will conduct handovers with Health staff, and depart after a maximum one hour unless there is a risk to life or safety. This will eventually reduce to 15 minutes later in the year.
“Another area that has added to our demand is the lower threshold for searching for people reported missing from mental health facilities. We will need to work with Health agencies to better manage this with higher thresholds.
“We want those experiencing mental health distress to get the right help at the right time from the right people. They do not always want or need a Police car turning up or for Police Officers to sit with them for hours in emergency departments, further adding to the stigma of what is already a very difficult time.
“Immediately, there will be no changes, and we will continue to respond to mental health callouts as we always have. The changes will take a phased approach as we want to support our health partners by giving them time to adapt.”
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and Police Minister
Mark Mitchell have welcomed the announcement by Health NZ and NZ Police on their transition to a stronger mental health-led response for those requiring crisis mental health support.
“For too long, those seeking crisis support have often been met by a uniformed officer, which can cause further distress,” said Mr Doocey. “People in mental distress are not criminals. Those seeking assistance deserve a mental health response, rather than a criminal justice response.”
Phase 1: 1 November
• Voluntary handovers at emergency departments – Police will streamline the handover process for people wanting to undertake a mental health assessment voluntarily. Once handed over to Health staff, police will depart immediately.
• Mental Health transportation requests – will be subject to a higher threshold before Police agree to become involved.
• Police attendance at mental health facilities – will also be subject to a higher threshold.
Phase 2: January to March 2025
• 60 minute ED handovers – Police who have transported a person detained under the Mental Health Act for an assessment will remain for a maximum one hour before departing unless they consider there is an immediate risk to life or safety.
• Mental Health custody rules tightened – Police do not consider custody suites to be an appropriate place for mental health assessments to be conducted. Custody rules will ensure people in distress are not being assessed unnecessarily in Police custody.
Phase 3: April to June 2025
• Requests for assistance from health practitioners – Our new threshold will ensure Police are not directed unnecessarily to mental health work by practitioners.
• Missing Mental Health patients –Many of the missing person reports generated from mental health facilities and wards generate a more immediate response than other missing person reports. Police will work with agencies to establish a more appropriate model for managing these situations, including Police not being the first to begin searching for missing persons.
Phase 4: July to September 2025
• 15 minute ED handovers – Where police have detained a person under the Mental Health Act and transported them to an ED for mental health assessment, a handover process between Police and Health staff will occur, and Police staff will depart after 15 minutes, unless they consider there is an immediate threat to life or safety.
• Welfare checks from public and agencies – Police have been over responding to welfare checks where there is no risk of criminality or to life or safety. We are aiming to reduce demand on frontline staff but are conscious the issues are complex so we will continue to talk to partner agencies before making any final decisions.
“I want to acknowledge our Police staff who do an outstanding job with great empathy, but they are not trained mental health experts,” said Mr Mitchell.
“The shift requires a careful, measured approach and I am very supportive and assured of the joined-up efforts Police and Health are taking to get there.”
“At the end of the day, we want what’s best for both those suffering from mental distress, and the victims of crime,” said Mr Doocey. “The approach we are transitioning to aims to provide the appropriate support by the appropriate people.”
Celebrating New Zealand’s Unsung Protectors: New Zealand Security Awards 2024
Auckland’s Crowne Plaza Hotel was the venue for the security industry’s night of nights, and once again the New Zealand Security Association delivered a glittering celebration worthy of this year’s inspiring award winners.
After approaching the stage to a rousing musical number, MC extraordinaire Doug Kamo kicked off the event with a welcome in Te Reo and a nod to Event Sponsor Gallagher Security and support partner Skills Consulting Group.
“This year we received in excess of 120 nominations across the 19 award categories and as you will hear later on tonight, the quality of those nominations has been exceptional,” said Kamo. “Unfortunately, we can only recognise a small number of those nominees as award winners but for every one of those who were nominated – congratulations and well done.”
Kamo acknowledged special guests Hon Mark Mitchell, Minister of Police, Minister of Corrections and Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery, Hon Nicole McKee, Associate Minister of Justice, Trish McConnell, Registrar, PSPLA, and Sunny Kaushal, Chair for the Ministerial Advisory Group for Victims of Retail Crime.
After a pre-recorded video presentation by Gray Paterson, Independent Chairperson of the NZSA, Association Cadet Board Members Joel Walsh and William Seuao came to the stage to deliver a formal welcome. Gary Morrison, NZSA CEO then recognised his fellow awards judges Ngaire Kelaher, Colin Pascoe, Lincoln Potter.
Then it was on to the announcement of this year’s award winners:
Outstanding Staff Retention/Staff Development Programme of the Year
This award celebrates an organisation that has implemented, or championed, a staff retention or culture development-based programme that has delivered quantifiable and measurable outcomes and has helped place that organisation as both a preferred employer and provider for customers. The initiative will have become embedded in the culture and operations of the organisation and provides clear differentiation over other providers.
Sponsored by Beca. The award was presented by Jonathan Howe, Business Director, Beca, and NZSA Board Member. The finalists were:
• Advanced Security Group (NZ) Limited
• Alarm Watch Limited
• Armourguard Security (Dunedin City Council Patrols Team)
The winner of the Staff Retention or Staff Development Initiative of the Year Award is Alarm Watch.
According to the award citation:
Alarm Watch is an alarm monitoring business with call centre services based in Whanganui. They currently employ in excess of 70 staff and protect over 35,000 customers across New Zealand.
The company has grown from a team of 6 staff to 70 plus in the last 5 years and with that expansion, experienced a number of growing pains.
Management quickly identified that the type of staff that applied for call centre work seemed to be of a younger nature, struggled with mental health, were somewhat anti-social and enjoyed gaming so they created a workplace that builds self-confidence, includes gamification, and is gentle in nature.
The company places the highest importance on staff retention and satisfaction, and this was evidenced by their comprehensive nomination detailing a wide range of initiatives, including free gym membership through to staff rewards and celebrations.
The success of these initiatives is captured via their own custom software that provides a range of “success” features including staff tenure and satisfaction, whilst also monitoring performance of critical measures through a constant quality review system.
Security Trainer or Workplace Assessor of the Year
This award celebrates those who have made a difference to improving security practice via training and recognises the individual who has consistently promoted outstanding performance and produced quantifiable results that have benefitted the organisation and its workers and customers. The recipient may work for either a PTE or a security provider and will be a person who leads by example and inspires the best from those that they work with.
Sponsored by Skills Consulting Group, this award was presented by Jude Van Wichen Miller, Member and Foundation Lead, Skills Consulting Group. The finalists were:
• Michelle Martin, FIRST Security,
• Quentin Garton, Armourguard Security.
The winner of the Security Trainer or Workplace Assessor of the Year Award is Michelle Martin.
As the National Training Manager for First Security, Michelle has pioneered innovative educational initiatives, particularly focusing on leadership and succession opportunities
Pictured above L-R: Michelle Martin and Jude van Wichen, Skills
within the workplace, with a particular focus on leadership pathways for Māori and Pasifika. Her work has been instrumental in boosting both confidence and competence across the First Security workforce. Staff don’t just receive training they experience transformative learning that advances their careers and enriches their lives.
Electronic Security Trainee of the Year
This award recognises an individual who has made outstanding progress in professional development and training for their role in the electronic sector of the security industry. They will have displayed commitment towards training and achieving results through the NZQA national qualification framework. The recipient will be a person who is self-motivated, sets goals and aspires to progress their security career.
The Electronic Security Trainee of the Year category was also sponsored by Skills Consulting Group and presented by Bill Sole, Business Manager, ETEC. The finalists were:
• Bhavik Sohaliya, Optic Security Group
• Gerard Baguio, Evotek Technologies
• Linto Thomas, Advanced Security Group (NZ) Limited
The winner of the Electronic Security Trainee of the Year 2024 is Bhavik Sohaliya. According to his award citation:
Bhavik commenced his apprenticeship with Optic in May 2022, and it didn’t take long before his team was singing his praises. In the space of two years, Bhavik has made a significant and positive impact on the Wellington and Central Region operations.
Bhavik has impressed those around him, and he inspires those around him to be better at what they do. Not only is he now most of the way through his apprenticeship course, he is also adding real value to the projects that he is working on.
He is a true asset to the Wellington Optic team, and his nomination was supported by all of his managers and colleagues.
Outstanding Security Training Initiative of the Year
This award in honour of Michael Pepper recognises the organisation that has made a difference to improving the uptake and outcomes of industry training through the introduction and support of innovative and effective security training initiatives. The recipient organisation will have demonstrated a commitment towards enabling staff to use internal training and the NZQA national qualification framework as a means towards promoting personal and professional development within their organisation. Sponsored by Ringa Hora, the award was presented by Duane Mackwood, Industry Engagement Lead. The finalists were:
• FIRST Security, NZ Certificate in Business Introduction to Leadership
• October Protection, Customised Training Packages
• The Learning Place, School Gateway Security Programme
The winner of the Security Training Initiative of the Year Award is FIRST Security. According to the award citation:
First Security’s NZ Certificate in Business (Introduction to Team Leadership Level 3) program is designed to give new team leaders, or those wanting to move into leadership, the practical skills and knowledge to contribute to effective team performance
and be effective in a leadership role within a team. It provides organisations with team members who can contribute effectively to team objectives and develop team leadership skills.
By providing tools and techniques for increased efficiency, conflict resolution, and effective collaboration, the training has enhanced both day-today operations and overall team morale.
Outstanding MSD Placement Candidate of the Year
This award recognises an individual who originally gained full-time employment in the security industry as a result of placement from MSD, either via an MSD Work-broker or through the NZSA Skills for Industry Programme and has excelled in their role (be it protective security services or electronic related). Whilst this award recognises the current achievements of the individual, their placement may date back to prior years.
For the last six years the NZSA has partnered with MSD to deliver this programme, which has resulted in over 600 people being placed into full-time employment with NZSA members. Whilst the Skills for Industry program concluded last year, the NZSA continues to facilitate a Security Cadet program in partnership with MSD, with a target of 20 placements this year.
Sunny Kaushal presented the award on behalf of the NZSA. The finalists for this award category were:
• Richard Agar, Armourguard Security
Pictured above L-R: Bhavik Sohaliya and Bill Sole, ETEC
Pictured above L-R: Michelle Martin (on behalf of FIRST Security) and Duane Mackwood, Ringa Hora
• Thomas Winitana, Armourguard Security
The winner of the Outstanding Skills for Industry Employee of the Year is Richard Agar. According to his award citation:
Richard is an excellent worker and is a shining example of someone who has pulled himself up from a desperate and challenging position to being a star of the team.
Richard was living in Melbourne when Covid hit, and his business collapsed. He returned to New Zealand to start afresh, and his first job was with Armourguard Security.
“We initially trained him in animal control work then he quickly sought additional training and work, progressing to static roles, followed by patrol work and then training him as a library guard.
He takes every opportunity in his stride and continues to over-achieve. He always makes himself available for out-of-town and weekend work, for extra shifts and to be our trusted jack-of-all trades. His flexibility and versatility has proved invaluable, customers love him and he is very vested in doing a good job.
Security Administrator of the Year
This award recognises excellence, commitment, and professionalism for those who provide the vital administrative functions that support every business. The individual will have exhibited not only excellent technical
skills but also outstanding customer service, high levels of innovation and superb time management. The recipient will be widely respected and valued as a critical cog in the success of the organisation.
Sponsored by SimPro, the award was presented by Justin Billie of SimPro. The finalists for this hotly contested category were:
• Claire Moore, Red Badge Group
• Juanita Hayes, FIRST Security
• Tara O’Halloran, Advanced Security Group (NZ) Ltd
The winner of the Security Administrator of the Year is Claire Moore. According to her award citation, Claire provides a critical role for Red Badge Group.
She has successfully led the organisation through a transformational centralisation project, significantly improving administrative operations and debt collection practices.
The nomination for Claire provides detailed references and supporting reports that verify her outstanding technical skills, customer focus, commitment to innovation and ability to inspire others and set the highest standards.
As her CEO noted, despite Claires busy schedule, she consistently makes time for her colleagues, fostering a positive and supportive environment. Her leadership is invaluable, and we are fortunate to have such a dedicated and high-performing leader in our team.
Design & Support Electronic Security Professional of the Year
This award recognises the excellence, commitment, and professionalism of those providing design and support services to the electronic sector of the security industry. This award will be presented to an individual who has demonstrated not only technical expertise but also exemplary customer service and continually meets or exceeds best practice.
The recipient will be a person who provides a valuable role within the business and sets incredibly high standards.
Sponsored by Dahua Technology, the award was presented by Lawrence Zhang from Dahua Technology. The finalists for the Design and Support Electronic Sector Professional of the Year were:
• David Robertson, Matrix Security Group
• Simon Paul, Ice Security Group
The winner of the Design and Support Electronic Sector Professional of the Year is David Robertson. According to his award citation:
David is the General Manager of Technology Solutions for Matrix Security Group and sets incredibly high standards for himself and his team, which is reflected in the service provided to clients.
David is responsible for conducting risk assessments for high value customers and concept design of security technology solutions. He then
Pictured above L-R: Richard Agar and Sunny Kaushal, Ministerial Advisory Group for Victims of Retail Crime
Pictured above L-R: Ben Wooding (on behalf of Claire Moore) and Justin Billie, Simpro
Pictured above L-R: Scott Carter (on behalf David Robertson) and Lawrence Zhang, Dahua Technology
costs the project, presents proposals, then manages the contract and provides technical leadership for staff.
He has recently worked on projects for three prominent schools, providing expertise on design and implementation of alarms, access control and video surveillance systems that protect thousands of students and staff, and multi millions of dollars in assets.
The nomination for David included glowing letters of support from a number of high-profile customers.
Install & Service Electronic Sector (Corporate) Technician of the Year
This award is specific to larger corporates who have more than five technicians in their employment and recognises excellence, commitment, and professionalism of those operating as Security Technicians and providing installation and/or service duties.
This award will be presented to an individual who has demonstrated not only technical expertise but also exemplary customer service and continually meets or exceeds best practice. The recipient will be a person who provides a valuable role within the business and sets incredibly high standards.
This award was presented by Brad Small from Gallagher Security. The finalists were:
• Calvin Sheng, Ice Security Group
• Rishu Sharma, Evotek Technologies
• Steve King, Advanced Security Group (NZ) Limited
The winner of the Install and Service Electronic Sector (Corporate) Technician of the Year is Steve King. According to his award citation:
Steve’s nomination recognises his outstanding delivery of a technically challenging electronic security project that he has led for the customer, Hutt Valley District Health Board.
The project involves upgrading the access control system (over 250 doors), CCTV system (220+ cameras) and an array of intercom systems, duress systems and interfaces to the Nurse call annunciation system.
As the Technical Account Manager leading the project, Steve has played a pivotal role in helping co-ordinate a multitude of key stakeholders and their individual needs.
Customer references include: “Steve has a “can do” approach and attitude to get the job done. He is excellent in his communication within the wider team and will go the extra step to ensure everybody knows what’s happening” and “Steve can be relied upon to deliver whatever task is scheduled and programmed and is able to accommodate last minute changes to minimise disruption in a very demanding environment. He is a valued member of our team”.
Monitoring/Communications Centre Operator of the Year
This award recognises excellence, commitment, and professionalism within the “Communications Centre Operator” sector of the industry. The
individual will have demonstrated a high degree of technical competence and an outstanding level of service delivery that consistently exceeds customer expectations, be they internal or external. The recipient will be a person who inspires others and consistently sets very high standards in their work performance.
Sponsored by Gallagher Security, the award was presented by Brad Small from Gallagher Security. The finalists were:
• April Tanga and Anthony Wellington, Watchdog Security Group
• Gurpreet Singh, Armourguard Security
• Timothy Buttimore, FIRST Security
The winner of the Monitoring or Communication Centre Operator of the Year is April Tanga and Anthony Wellington. According to their award citation:
Watchdog’s Monitoring and Call Centre offers a comprehensive range of services, including alarm monitoring and after-hours phone answering for local councils and customers. The Centre is also responsible for despatching operational staff and monitoring the welfare of all field personnel.
Given the diverse nature of the service range, the centre requires staff who possess a broad understanding of client needs and with the ability to multi-task, triage, and prioritise tasks ranging from sewerage leaks or noise complaints to critical alarm events, such as medical emergencies, burglaries and duress situations.
April and Ants exemplify excellence in their respective roles. They maintain composure and professionalism in dynamic and potentially stressful situations while delivering exceptional customer service as primary contact points for customers. As senior operators, they set the service standards for the team and provide comprehensive on-the-job training for new and junior staff.
Their expertise is complimentary, with April focusing on setting and monitoring customer service delivery
Pictured above L-R: Steve King and Brad Small, Gallagher Security
Pictured above L-R: Antony Wellington (on behalf of April Tanga) and Brad Small, Gallagher Security
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standards and Ants bringing extensive knowledge of alarm systems, enriched by his prior experience as a security patrol officer.
Security Consultant of the Year
This award recognises the Security Consultant who has demonstrated outstanding performance in their role. Consultants have a vital role to play in providing strategies to mitigate risk and to eliminate threats, and their expertise and insight can transform the quality and effectiveness of service, product, system, or solution that is offered.
The recipient will be a strong proponent of industry best practice, will be suitably qualified and experienced and be a person who inspires others and sets incredibly high standards.
The award was presented by Brad Small from Gallagher Security, with the finalists including:
• Adam Parlane, Safer Cities
• Chris Proctor, Beca Applied Technologies Limited
• Lee Turpitt, Watchu Security
The winner of the Security Consultant of the Year is Chris Proctor.
Chris is a highly experienced security practitioner with over 35 years of extensive and diverse experience in the fields of protective security and security intelligence. He is recognised for his broad expertise gained through roles in the Military, Central Government, and the private sector.
Chris is an exemplary ambassador for the New Zealand security industry, continually driving best practices, mentoring future leaders, and delivering high impact security solutions for clients. He fosters unity and a collaborative work environment at Beca, aligning perfectly with its client centric approach.
Chris strengthens relationship and development opportunities, consistently driving security excellence. He helps customers understand the “Why” behind their security needs, taking a holistic approach to threat and risk assessment. He builds enduring partnerships and is known for challenging the status quo to provide effective security solutions.
His commitment and expertise have positioned him as a critical friend and trusted advisor for clients, significantly enhancing security practices within the organisation he serves.
Outstanding New Product or Service of the Year
This award recognises an organisation that has locally developed and delivered technical innovation and excellence within the security sector. The product or service will have been developed in New Zealand and be recognised as being “best in field” and “market leading” and will provide clear differentiation over competitor offerings.
Sponsored by Optic Security Group, the award was presented by Nik Boeinghoff, General Manager New Zealand, Optic Security Group. The finalists were:
• Armourguard Security Response Team
• Gallagher Security, Controller 7000
• TNG Security Limited, Bar Watch and Store Guard
The winner of the Outstanding New Product or Service of the Year is Gallagher Security for Controller 7000
As cyber-physical attacks grow, organisations must reassess their physical system’s cyber preparedness. The Controller 7000 (C7000) delivers strong cyber protection and unmatched functionality to prepare organisations for the unknown threats of the future.
The C7000 has powerful cybersecurity functionality. Only Gallagher-approved firmware can run on the device; software with known vulnerabilities cannot be installed; it is impossible to clone or counterfeit; and industry-leading security infrastructure generates, processes, and stores cryptographic keys and certificates, preventing supply chain attacks.
The C7000 supports two million cardholders, 256 alarm zones, 2,000 access groups, 400 time schedules, and unlimited access zones. It also stores one million offline events for continuous operations if the server connection is lost.
The result is a trusted device with baked-in security that removes the burden of maintaining cybersecurity while ensuring up-to-date protections.
Security Integrator of the Year
This award recognises an individual or organisation who has embraced the role of integrators in bringing together security subsystems into a whole and ensuring those subsystems function together effectively.
The recipient will have demonstrated technical expertise, sound knowledge of security risk and needs assessments, exemplary customer service and consistently delivers a physical security programme that is supportive of a healthy enterprise.
Sponsored by Hikvision, the award was presented by Matthew Zhang from Hikvision. The finalists included:
Pictured above L-R: Chris Proctor and Brad Small, Gallagher Security
The winner of the Security Integrator of the Year award is Advanced Security Group (NZ) Limited. According to the award citation:
The nomination from Advanced Security Group references multiple projects and including a number of classified and commercially sensitive customers and sites.
It is very apparent that solutions are designed to meet the complex and high security needs of the customers.
Customer testimonials talking in glowing terms about the technical expertise, smooth implementation plans, exemplary customer service, and delivery that exceeds expectations.
Customer Champion of the Year
This award recognises an individual in the role of Account Manager, Relationship Manager, or similar, who has demonstrated outstanding performance in their role. These roles require a high degree of operational skill and knowledge together with a demonstrated empathy towards understanding the customers business needs and meeting their required outcomes.
The recipient will have a history of developing close and long-standing relationships with their customers
and be viewed as providing a substantial and quantifiable benefit to the customers business operations. This year’s award was sponsored by Hikvision.
A note from the Judges indicated that this was a hotly contested category, and with a large number of quality nominations that has resulted in four finalists, including:
• Aiden Anslow, Advanced Security Group (NZ) Limited
• Dee Wakelin, Red Badge Group
• Jemima Briggs, FIRST Security
• Karl Philbin, Optic Security Group
The judging was so tight that the judges were unable to separate two nominees who were deemed joint winners of the Customer Champion of the Year category: Dee Wakelin and Jemima Briggs. According to Dee’s award citation:
As Head of Customer Success, Dee has played a key role in the substantial growth of Red Badge Group. Not only has she led the strategic expansion of the company, she also manages the key customer relationships where she has achieved 100% retention of key customers.
Customer references include:
“Our best indicator of when things are working well with a key Account Manager, is limited noise. Minimizing disruptions is critical for us as an employer, as poorly managed services can divert attention from other essential business needs. With
Dee as our key account partner, we have experienced minimal disruptions and outstanding outcomes and look forward to our ongoing partnership with Dee and the Red Badge team.”
And “It is, at times, difficult to achieve being strategic and operationally focused simultaneously while growing your own people as well as managing customer expectation, but Dee has demonstrated this ability on numerous occasions for the benefit of not only her staff, but also the quality-of-service delivery provided for customers”.
According to Jemima’s award citation:
Jemima (Jem) Briggs, First Security’s GM Sales, is a dedicated people centric and versatile member of the Senior Leadership team who possesses over two decades of strategic relationship management experience and expertise. She has not only empowered a high-performing sales team at First Security but has become a critical initiator, enabler, sustainer, innovator, and force-multiplier in our key client relationships.
Again, as a key customer notes:
“From day one working with Jem, I have found her to be approachable and honest and her customer service has been exceptional. Nothing is ever a problem, and requests have always been responded to promptly and if there was ever a delay, I would receive an email or phone call to let me know she hadn’t forgotten. I am always kept in the loop. Great service goes a long way, and it does make a difference”.
Patrol Officer of the Year
This award recognises excellence, commitment, and professionalism within the “patrolling” sector of the industry, including service to customers and outstanding acts. The award will be presented to the individual that has gone beyond what could have been expected of them in providing a level of service that exceeds the customers and/or managers expectations.
The recipient will be a person who inspires others within the team and consistently sets very high standards in their work performance.
Pictured above L-R: Hayden George (representing Advanced Security Group) and Matthew Zhang, HikVision
Pictured above L-R: Jemima Briggs and Dee Wakelin
Matthew Johns from Mobilcard presented the award, with the finalists including:
• Enid Braddock, FIRST Security
• Wania Lamb, Armourguard Security
• Wayne Niles, Armourguard Security
The winner of Patrol Officer of the Year is Enid Braddock. According to her award citation:
Enid shows a professionalism and commitment to the Electronic Monitoring Services (EMS) team, which is a nationwide mobile patrol team specifically trained and deployed to respond to alerts triggered by monitoring devices worn by people (wearers) serving non-custodial sentences, bail and orders in the corrections system. She carries out her electronic monitoring duties with great care and respect for the wearer.
Having worked within the Prison system for years, substance-based behaviour doesn’t tend to phase Enid, but it did surprise her in the early hours one Sunday to see a naked man on the Grafton overbridge above the Auckland motorway.
Enid was on her way to a job when she saw the man hanging over the railings and at risk of falling. Instinctively, she stopped her vehicle and in her rear mirror she could see that the man was walking towards her vehicle. He seemed very distraught and started banging on the passenger window and yelling for help.
Enid had already called Emergency Services and kept them on the line. They advised her not to get out of her vehicle, so she put the window down partially so she could talk to the man. It was apparent that he had taken some kind of substance, and his behaviour was very erratic.
She kept talking to the man, trying to calm him down, but he was becoming more aggravated and started shaking the car. She told him calmly that she was about to exit the vehicle and that she was there to help him.
As Enid emerged from the vehicle, the man ran back to the railing and leant over the side. Cautiously approaching him, and using a calming voice and tone, Enid asked him to come away from the railing and come back to her car. He eventually responded and moved back to the vehicle where he stood shaking.
It took 12 minutes for the first Police vehicle to respond and during this time Enid kept talking calmly to the man.
As Police arrived she informed them that the man had calmed down, but suggested it would be a good idea to handcuff him and get him into their vehicle before he became agitated again. She explained that he had likely taken drugs and wasn’t making much sense, was acting erratically, and needed to be taken somewhere safe to be checked medically – and quickly.
So as not to alarm the man, Enid approached him and ushered him to the waiting Police officer, who handcuffed him and took him to the Police vehicle, whilst Enid provided a statement to other attending Officers before resuming her shift.
Security Officer of the Year
This award recognises excellence, commitment, and professionalism within the “guarding” sector, including service to customers and outstanding acts. This award will be presented to the individual who has gone beyond what can reasonably be expected of them in providing a level of service that exceeds the customers and/ or managers expectations. The recipient will be a person who inspires others and consistently sets very high standards in their work performance.
Sponsored by New Zealand Security Magazine, the award was
presented by Nick Dynon, Chief Editor, NZSM.
In a highly contested category, including many of the Saved a Life Medal recipients, the finalists for Security Officer of the Year included:
• Bing Kenny, Allied Security
• Neil Tomuli & Pule Talia, Armourguard Security
• Tom Beddall, Red Badge Group
The winner of the Security Officer of the Year is Tom Beddall. According to his award citation:
The nomination for Tom highlights a high performer who sets the highest possible standards and leads by example.
In one incident Tom demonstrated exceptional leadership and compassion in managing a highly intense situation, where a customer was actively attempting self-harm in a public space. Responding swiftly with his team, Tom ensured the safety and welfare of both the individual in distress and the surrounding public.
His quick thinking, calm demeanour, and ability to establish trust with the individual allowed him to effectively de-escalate the situation while providing critical support until professional help arrived. Tom’s actions went beyond his role, showcasing his dedication to the well-being of others in the most challenging circumstances.
A key retail customer says it best “I am writing to enthusiastically nominate Tom due to his unparalleled dedication, exceptional leadership, and extraordinary commitment to excellence
Pictured above L-R: Enid Braddick and Matthew Johns, Mobilcard
Pictured above L-R: Tom Beddall and Nick Dynon, NZ Security Magazine
in his role. Tom has consistently demonstrated a level of professionalism and integrity that not only sets a benchmark for his peers but also elevates the standards in our organisation.”
Guarding Sector Trainee of the Year
This award recognises an individual who has made outstanding progress in professional development and training for their role in the guarding sector of the security industry. They will have displayed commitment towards training and achieving results though the NZQA national qualification framework. The recipient will be a person who is self-motivated, sets goals and aspires to progress their security career.
Sponsored by Watchful, the award was presented by Ashleigh Frank from Watchful, with the finalists including:
• Hanre Lombard, Global Security Solutions Ltd
• Lacey Hart, FIRST Security
• Parminder Singh, Matrix Security Group
The winner of the Guarding Sector Trainee of the Year is Lacey Hart. According to her award citation: Lacey embarked on her journey with First Security in 2021, initially uncertain in her role as a young casual security officer at the Mangere Refugee Centre in Auckland. As the sole female amidst a predominantly male team, she faced challenges and self-doubt. However, Lacey’s unwavering determination and
effort soon earned her the respect and admiration of her colleagues.
In addition to completing an NZQA Certificate Level 3 in Security, this gave Lacey the encouragement to undertake courses with training consultancy Upskills, including: Introduction to Leadership, Assertiveness and Confidence, and Leadership Confidence.
Lacey has demonstrated exceptional growth and commitment. Her journey and achievements have not only been inspiring for those she works with but also for senior management.
Specialised Security Services
Professional of the Year
This award recognises the excellence, commitment, and professionalism of those working within specialised security roles, including but not limited to, cash-in-transit services, cash-floor services, council compliance services and concierge roles. The award will be presented to the individual that has gone beyond what could have been expected of them in providing a level of service that exceeds the customer and/or managers expectations. The recipient will be a person who inspires others within the team and consistently sets very high standards in their work performance.
Sponsored by Alpha Protection Services, the award was presented by Kieran Norton-Taylor, General Manager, Alpha Protection Services. The four finalists in this category included:
The winner of the Specialised Security Services Professional of the Year is Farish Khan. According to his award citation:
FIRST Security is extremely fortunate to have Farish managing the day-to-day running of the EMS team. His responsibilities include helping to ensure all First Security branches and external contractors comply with the Department of Corrections EMS contract and policy, as well as the Department’s policies and processes. He oversees more than 150 Field Officers nationwide.
Farish is well respected by the Department of Corrections, subcontractors, and the entire FIRST Security EMS team. He is a true expert on everything EMS.
References refer to Farish as a valuebased, operationally astute person with a calm demeanor, which has been instrumental to his success in building a strong team around him and in exceeding customer requirements and expectations.
Install & Service Electronic Sector (SME) Technician of the Yer
This award is specific to SMEs with five or less technicians in their employment and recognises excellence, commitment, and professionalism of those operating as Security Technicians and providing installation and/or service duties.
This award will be presented to an individual who has demonstrated not only technical expertise but also exemplary customer service and continually meets or exceeds best practice. The recipient will be a person who provides a valuable role within the business and sets incredibly high standards.
Sponsored by Alarm Watch, the award was presented by Graeme McKenzie from Alarm Watch. The finalists were:
Pictured above L-R: Gina Lindsay-Crawford (on behalf of Lacey Hart) and Ashleigh Frank, Watchful
Pictured above L-R: Farish Kahn and NZSA CEO Gary Morrison
• Andy Chan, BC Security Limited
• Melisha Mar, BC Security Limited
• Ryan Wales, Sectek Security
The winner of the Install and Service Electronic Sector (SME) Technician of the Year is Andy Chan. According to his award citation: Andy has over five years of industry experience, the last two years with BC Security, where he has demonstrated exceptional skills, dedication and professionalism overseeing installations, service jobs and maintenance.
Andy stands out for his professionalism and technical acumen, ensuring smooth project execution and providing effective support.
The judges noted the quality of recent projects completed by Andy as evidenced by supporting documentation and photos.
Security Supervisor/Operations Manager of the Year
The Security Supervisor or Operations Manager of the Year recognises those who through security expertise, operational knowledge, customer service, and skilful and innovative leadership, ensure the delivery of services that consistently exceed customer expectations.
Security Supervisors and Operations Managers provide a critical function ensuring service delivery and the recipient will be an inspirational leader and innovator, team focused and
committed to delivering exceptional service on a 24 x 7 basis.
Sponsored by Guardhouse, the award was presented by Jack Alpe from Guardhouse. The judges noted there were 18 nominations for this category, almost all of an exceptional standard, and that the scoring was extremely close.
The finalists for the Security Supervisor or Operations Manager of the Year included:
• Angela Paul, Monitor New Zealand Limited
• Jade Johnston, Alarm Watch Limited
• William Seuao, Matrix Security Group
The winner of the Security Supervisor or Operations Manager of the Year is Jade Johnston. According to her award citation:
Jade is one of Alarm Watch’s loyalist employees, having been with the company for 12 years.
Her role is diverse, and her knowledge of Alarm Monitoring, Staff and Station needs, Monitoring and Security Processes and what’s required to get the job done is second to none.
Jade has been instrumental in many of the successes for Alarm Watch including achieving ISO9001 Accreditation and exceeding all requirements and expectations within the Quality Management System, ensuring the annual Telarc review goes smoothly.
Jade has also worked hard with internal stakeholders to develop
uniform and standard operating procedures that are second to none, ensuring a high-quality service delivery that exceeds the requirements of Standard AS2202.2.
As her manager states “Jade is a pleasure to work with, she brings me solutions and not problems and is always aiming to be better each day. She self-manages her role and duties and communicates with myself and our team exceptionally.”
Security Professional of the Year
The Security Professional of the Year award is in honour of a stalwart of New Zealand’s security industry, Ian Dick. Ian worked tirelessly for the betterment of the security industry and was instrumental in developing and implementing many of the codes and standards that form the cornerstone of the industry.
The award goes to the award category winner with the highest individual score from the judges, and is thus regarded as the supreme award; the champion of champions.
Presented by Police Minister, the Honourable Mark Mitchell, the winner of the 2024 Security Professional of the Year Award is Steve King from Advanced Security Group (NZ) Limited.
And with that, MC Doug Kamo concluded the evening’s formal programme, leading the assembled 230 attendees in the singing of a heartfelt rendition of Robbie Williams’ iconic song Angels.
Pictured above L-R: NZSA CEO Gary Morrison (on behalf of Andy Chan) and Graeme McKenzie, Alarm Watch
Pictured above L-R: Jade Johnston and Jack Alpe, Guardhouse
Pictured above L-R: Steve King and Nicole McKee, Associate Minister of Justice
Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority enforcing the Act
Throughout 2024 the PSPLA has continued to hand down decisions on breaches of the Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Act 2010. We look at a sample from August and September.
Under the stewardship of registrar Trish McConnell, the PSPLA has established a track record of enforcing the Act and imposing appropriate penalties, including the cancellation of licenses and imposing financial fines.
PSPLA decisions are regularly published on the PSPLA website, delivering a high level of transparency to the process, and providing insights into the efforts being made to bolster the integrity and reputation of the private security sector by ensuring that breaches are dealt with appropriately
The following is a small selection of from the 22 PSPLA decisions uploaded for August and September:
[2024] NZPSPLA 065 [14 August]
Information provided by the Police to the PSPLA indicated that Ms X is no longer suitable to hold a Certificate of Approval because of her involvement in a number of anti-social, aggressive, and violent incidents while holding a Certificate of Approval.
Police provided details of over 20 incidents involving Ms X that occurred between April 2022 and June 2024. Several of these incidents resulted in either criminal charges, public safety notices, warnings, or trespass notices. Ms X’s behaviour had escalated in recent months to the extent that she had become a risk to herself and others.
The information provided by police established that Ms X is not currently suitable to work in security, but that her behavioural and anger issues are likely to be partially a result of her not regularly taking her prescribed medication together with alcohol abuse.
The Registrar noted that If Ms X addresses her anger issues and alcohol abuse, and ensures she is assessed, and complies with any treatment regime prescribed ,then she may be suitable to resume as a security worker.
In this instance, the Registrar decided against cancelling Ms X’s Certificate of Approval, and instead suspended it, thus giving Ms X the ability to have it reinstated if she appropriately addresses the issues that caused her unacceptable conduct.
[2024] NZPSPLA 064 [13 August]
Police sought the cancellation of Ms Y’s Certificate of Approval on the basis that recent convictions show she is no longer suitable to be a security guard. On 22 July 2024 Ms Y was convicted of using a phone for fictitious purposes, disorderly behaviour likely to cause violence, and speaks threateningly. The speaks threateningly, and disorderly behaviour convictions are offences of violence and therefore grounds for disqualification under s 62 of the Act. Ms Y has an extensive history of making hoax calls to police or other emergency services. The calls ranged from reporting fictitious street fights to saying there was a man shooting people at a supermarket, to threatening self-harm. Police stated that Ms Y’s behaviour demonstrates
she is not mature enough to handle the responsibility of working in security.
In her response to the police complaint, Ms Y stated that she is a polite and caring person, and she promised to cease the reported behaviour.
The Registrar noted that Ms Y’s offending continued after she was granted a COA and that she is also facing charges of possession of an offensive weapon, using a phone for fictitious purposes, and making a false statement that an offence was committed following events that occurred on 2 August 2024.
The Registrar found that some of the convictions are grounds for disqualification and for mandatory cancellation of her COA. She concluded that the appropriate outcome of the complaint is cancellation of Ms Y’s COA. If the causes of offending are addressed and she goes for 18 months without coming
to police attention for similar acts, the Registrar stated that Ms Grayling can then reapply for a COA.
[2024] NZPSPLA 080 [11 September]
Police applied to cancel Mr X’s certificate of approval as he had recently been convicted of behaving threateningly and wilful damage. The behaving threateningly conviction is an offence of violence and grounds for disqualification under s 62 of the Act and therefore a mandatory ground for cancelling the COA.
Mr X did not apply for waiver of the grounds for disqualification, nor did he attend the hearing or provide any supporting references as requested to.
Mr X has four more historical convictions for offences of violence. When he applied for his COA he had provided evidence of alcohol and anger management courses and counselling he had completed following his
previous convictions. Unfortunately, these did not prevent him from reoffending.
The registrar commented that Mr X’s offending demonstrated a failure to control his temper and an inability to react appropriately when provoked, and found that he is no longer suitable to be a responsible certificate holder.
NZPSPLA 076 [16 September]
A member of the public filed a complaint against LW and BU alleging that LW and BU were operating a security business providing security consultancy work without having the required company license to do so.
The complaint was referred to the Complaints, Investigation and Prosecution Unit (CIPU) for investigation and possible prosecution. The CIPU found that LW carried out a business as an individual in the class security consultant between 12 December 2021 to 9 May 2024 in the Auckland area without holding the required individual license to do so.
The Deputy Registrar found that LW had breached the Act by providing a security services business without holding an individual licence to do so for a number of years. He also provided security consultancy services for a number of years without having the appropriate licence or COA to do so.
LW was therefore found guilty of misconduct. Nevertheless, the registrar did not consider the cancellation of LW’s COA nor the refusal to grant him a further COA a proportionate response given that LW had accepted culpability, he was upfront with the Authority and CIPU, and he had ceased operating as a security consultant since being directed to do so.
Ultimately, the complaint against LW was upheld, with LW found guilty of misconduct LW was reprimanded and issued a warning letter by the CIPU. His COA in the class of security consultant, however, was approved on the condition that he does not breach the Act again. Any further breach will be met with immediate COA suspension pending investigation.
ASIS International announces 2024 ASIS Awards of Excellence recipients
Global security professionals association ASIS International recognises security leaders – both individuals and organisations – for advancing the security profession.
ASIS International, the global association for security management professionals, has announced the 2024 class of recipients for its annual awards of excellence for organisations and individuals.
The annual ASIS Awards of Excellence honour the important work and accomplishments of ASIS members worldwide. They are honoured not only for their accomplishments but also for setting standards for the industry to model across the globe.
“On behalf of ASIS International, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated Awards Committee for their tireless efforts in recognizing excellence within our profession,” said 2024 ASIS International President Cy A. Oatridge, CPP.
“Their commitment to identifying and honouring outstanding contributions is invaluable. To our award recipients, I offer my warmest congratulations. Your achievements exemplify the highest standards of our industry and serve as an inspiration to security professionals worldwide.
These awards highlight the collective impact of our members in advancing security management. Your innovative approaches, unwavering dedication, and leadership continue to strengthen our global security community and showcase the vital role we play in today’s complex world.”
The award winners will be celebrated in-person at GSX on Sunday 22 September at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida
and via livestream (open to the public) at the same time and date.
Founded in 1955, ASIS International is the world’s largest membership organisation for security management professionals. With hundreds of chapters across the globe, ASIS is recognised as a leading source for learning, networking, standards, and research.
The following is the list of 2024 Award recipients:
Individual Awards
President’s Award of Merit
Brian J. Allen, CPP
John A. Petruzzi, Jr., CPP
Robert Watson, CPP
These individuals will be recognized at the 23 September, 8:30 a.m. GSX General Session.
Women in Security Global Community Karen Marquez Honours
Letitia Emeana, CPP, PSP, CISMP
Don Walker Memorial CSO Center Security Executive Award
Mark J. Golsby, CPP
E.J. Criscuoli, Jr., CPP Memorial Volunteer Leadership Award
Juan Muñoz, CPP
Roy N. Bordes, CPP Memorial Community Leadership Award
Sponsored by TEAM Software and Brownyard MacLean Specialty Insurance Services/Markel
PCB Outstanding Achievement Award
Paladin “Pj” Jordan, CPP
Distinguished Service Award
Abraham Desantiago
Alan F. Greggo, CPP
Harvindra Singh, CPP
Organisational Awards
I.B. Hale Chapter of the Year Award
Jamaica North Texas Phoenix
Outstanding New/Revitalised Chapter Doha, Qatar
Community of the Year Award
Professional Development
PCB Organisational Award of Merit
Saudi Aramco’s Western Region
Industrial Security Operations Department
REACH NEW HEIGHTS in Professional Excellence
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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.
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- D avi d H orsburgh, MSc CPP PSP PCI
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