The presentation of the fifth annual New Zealand Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) took place on Friday, 26 June 2026, in the Pakuranga Hunt Room at the Ellerslie Event Centre, Ellerslie Racecourse, as part of the ASIS New Zealand Certification Celebration.

Security professionals from across New Zealand gathered to recognise and celebrate excellence, innovation and outstanding achievement across the security sector. Awards were presented across 11 categories, with the ceremony hosted by OSPAs Founder, Professor Martin Gill.

The 2026 NZ OSPA winners are:

Outstanding In-House Security Manager/Director
Kurtis Heketoa – Te Whatu Ora – Counties Manukau
Kurtis led transformational change across a 76‑person, 23‑site security team, delivering major cultural improvements, $2M in savings, and an 80% reduction in HR issues. He achieved significant crime reduction, prevented $500K in harm, ensured seamless critical‑incident response, and was praised by judges for outstanding, measurable leadership in a high‑risk healthcare environment. 

Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director
Pat Wulf – Wulf Security Services
Pat Wulf has reshaped the security industry through “The Wulf Way”, blending Samoan values with approachable, reliable service. Known for replacing black uniforms with pink polos, he builds trusted, personable teams. Judges praised his visionary shift toward friendly, welcoming security that people genuinely feel comfortable engaging with.  

Outstanding Security Team
Profit Protection Team – The Warehouse Group
The Warehouse Group Profit Protection Team delivers national impact through intelligence‑led prevention, stronger safety, reduced shrink, and improved decision‑making. Its leadership, consistent standards, and trusted partnerships position security as a true business enabler. Judges praised it as a benchmark inhouse function delivering sustained commercial, cultural, and safety value in complex retail environments. 

Outstanding Contract Security Company (Guarding)
Wulf Security Services
Marking ten years of excellence, Wulf Security elevates the industry through its heart‑led “pink polos” model, grounded in Samoan values of Aiga and Tautua. With 97% staff retention, strong national partnerships, and deep community impact, judges praised its cultural authenticity, innovation, and industry‑shaping approach to modern security. 

Outstanding Security Consultant
Rehan du Toit – Beca Applied Technologies
Rehan stands out for exceptional technical expertise, meticulous attention to detail, and strong project leadership, particularly within New Zealand’s emerging data‑centre sector. He is equally committed to developing others, mentoring junior consultants and supporting ASIS certification across the community. Judges noted he exceeded the required skill criteria above all other entries. 

Outstanding Security Installer/Integrator
Nedax
Nedax delivered the full electronic security installations for two of Wellington’s most significant recent builds: Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui, the city’s newly reopened Central Library, and 68 Jervois Quay, Wellington City Council’s new headquarters for 1,200 staff. Both projects were designed and installed from scratch using Gallagher-based systems, Nedax’s own manufactured power supplies, and LSZH cabling. Nedax also deployed Wellington’s City Safety Call Points and expanded the city’s CCTV network, directly improving public safety across the CBD. 

Being named the 2026 New Zealand OSPA,s for Outstanding Security Installer/Integrator is a huge honour — and one we’re incredibly proud of.

At Nedax, we’re at our best when there isn’t an off-the-shelf answer — those are the projects we love getting stuck into. We engineer tailored solutions for clients with specialised, often complex security requirements, pushing the technology and building systems that are genuinely fit for purpose.

This award tells us that mindset matters. In a fast-moving market, it’s innovation and a real focus on quality and reliability that set you apart — and that’s exactly the work we love.”

This recognition belongs to our whole team — the people who bring that thinking and craft to every project — and to the clients who trust us with their toughest challenges. Thank you to the OSPAs, and to the New Zealand security community for raising the bar alongside us. We’re proud to stand among you, and we’re just getting started.”

Tony Phillips, Director, Nedax

Outstanding New Security Product
AccessNow – Gallagher Security
AccessNow is a cloud‑native platform that automates physical access management through policy‑driven workflows, reducing manual effort, errors, and risk. With real‑time provisioning, full audit trails, and seamless Gallagher integration, it improves security, compliance, and efficiency. Judges highlighted its clear benefits, particularly for large, complex environments. 

Outstanding Security Partnership
Profit Protection Future Forum – New Zealand Committee Members
The PPFF New Zealand Committee demonstrates outstanding sector leadership through collaboration, innovation, and data‑led prevention. Uniting national experts, government, police, and industry, it drives measurable reductions in retail crime and strengthens safety and resilience. Judges highlighted its multi‑stakeholder collaboration as a standout achievement in delivering real, measurable impact. 

Outstanding Security Officer
Samisoni Taufoou – Wulf Security Services
Samisoni Taufoou exemplifies Wulf Security’s values through a decade of heart‑led service, balancing firm authority with deep compassion. Highly awarded and trusted in high‑risk environments, he consistently elevates operations and team culture. Judges praised his authentic star quality, daily positive influence, and embodiment of the organisation’s ethos. 

Outstanding Female Security Professional
Harriet Sommerville – Gallagher Security
Harriet Sommerville is a respected Gallagher Security leader delivering strong commercial results and solving complex challenges across manufacturing, distribution, and integration. Known for rebuilding trust and driving high‑value outcomes, she elevates partnerships and industry standards. Judges praised her impressive results, solution‑focused approach, and widely respected leadership style. 

Tonight was pretty awesome, and so fantastic to hear how finalists and winners are selected. My category had 9 finalists tonight and I was absolutely blown away to hear my name called out as winner. A massive honour and something to cherish, I’m incredibly proud to say the least!  Thank you for a wonderful evening.

Harriet Sommerville, Gallagher Security

Outstanding Young Security Professional
Simon Mackereth – Red Badge Group
Simon Mackereth is an emerging security leader delivering exceptional operational results, including major reductions in incidents, theft, and staff turnover. As Waikato Manager, he strengthens high‑risk operations, lifts frontline capability through national training, and improves retention. Judges highlighted his measurable impact, leadership capability, and clear trajectory as outstanding. 

Lifetime Achievement
Lincoln Potter
Lincoln Potter has dedicated more than three decades to elevating New Zealand’s security industry through unmatched contributions to training, standards, auditing, and national capability uplift. Beginning his career in 1990, he progressed from frontline roles to in‑house security, investigations, consulting, and ultimately national‑level training and auditing for the NZSA. A highly qualified subject matter expert, he has shaped industry codes, mentored practitioners, delivered nationwide licensing and diploma programmes, and provided award‑winning consultancy. Widely sought for his expertise and voluntary leadership, Lincoln’s influence has strengthened organisations, improved professional standards, and transformed the careers of countless security professionals. 

The OSPAs would like to congratulate all finalists and winners for their outstanding achievements and thank everyone who contributed to making the 2026 New Zealand OSPAs a success. A special thank you goes to our category sponsors for their valued support: Gallagher, Guardhouse & Luke Gough Consulting.

We also extend our sincere thanks to the judges, ASIS New Zealand, and everyone who supported this year’s awards programme and helped celebrate excellence across New Zealand’s security profession.