The fourth annual New Zealand Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) took place on Friday, 27 April 2025, at Ellerslie Racecourse, forming part of the ASIS New Zealand Certification Dinner.
Security professionals from across the country gathered to recognise and celebrate excellence in the industry. Awards were presented across 11 categories, with the ceremony hosted by OSPAs founder, Professor Martin Gill.
Reflecting on the event, Professor Gill commented: “The standard of nominations received this year was again exceptionally high, making it a real challenge for the judging panel. All winners and finalists should be immensely proud of their achievements. All category winners will progress to the Global OSPAs for an opportunity to gain international recognition, while the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient will be honoured with induction into the Security Hall of Fame.”
The 2025 NZ OSPA winners are:
Outstanding In-House Security Manager/Director
Ellie Moriarty – SkyCity
Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director
Nicholas Dynon – Optic Security Group
Outstanding Security Team
Freight Screening Team – Secureflight
Outstanding Contract Security Company (Guarding)
FIRST Security
Outstanding Security Training Initiative
National Training Programme created by Michelle Macdonald – Secureflight
Outstanding Security Installer/Integrator
Advanced Security Group
Outstanding Security Partnership
Asset Upgrade Project – Optic Security Group and Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University Wellington
Outstanding Security Officer
Shaun Laifone – Global Security
Outstanding Female Security Professional
Chelsea Wallis – Optic Security Group
Outstanding Young Security Professional
Ruth Tongotongo – Beca Applied Technologies
Lifetime Achievement
Kenneth Eccles
I am still somewhat stunned. I realize that throughout my professional life that a number of people have seen things about me that I have not necessary seen myself. Apart from my first training I have never had to apply for positions. People and organisations had faith to promote me into a world with no clear frame work or development path. I have worked across the world security agencies, involved with R&D and operational outcomes.
My thanks to them, mentors and OSPAs for the opportunity.
I have seen my roll over the last few years to give back to the communities I serve.
Kenneth Eccles
Winners’ Summaries
The OSPAs would like to thank all those who have helped to make the fourth NZ OSPAs event such a success including: sponsors – Edith Cowan University (trophies and certificates) and Guardhouse (category) and the many leading supporting security associations and groups and their respective judges.
