Security Services in Queenstown, New Zealand

See the New Zealand page for coverage across New Zealand, or the Oceania overview.

Luxury Retail Districts in Queenstown

Managed programmes in Queenstown centre on the lakefront town centre, including:

• Rees Street
• Beach Street
• Marine Parade
• T Galleria by DFS, Camp Street
• Queenstown Mall

Security Considerations in Queenstown

Queenstown trades on two peaks, the ski season from June to October and the summer months, with Lunar New Year bringing a further wave of visitors from China and Southeast Asia. Most shoppers are on short stays and make quick, high-value purchases. Officers need to manage busy entrances in a small town centre and to work comfortably with visitors who may not speak English.

The local labour pool is small and housing is expensive and hard to find, so relief cover must be arranged well before each season. Winter snow and ice can affect the roads into town, and the nearest large city is several hours away by road. MGP manages Post Orders, supervision and reporting, while officers are supplied by vetted New Zealand security companies, with remote oversight supported by regular site visits.

How Coverage Works in Queenstown

MGP delivers coverage in New Zealand through the MGP Hybrid Operating Model: MGP-employed officers where MGP holds the required licence, and vetted, locally licensed partners elsewhere. In both cases MGP writes the Post Orders, sets the standard of presentation and service, provides local, hands-on supervision and reports to the client.

The delivery structure, licensing and insurance for each location are confirmed before a proposal is issued.

Private security in New Zealand is licensed by the Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority, which issues company licences and individual certificates of approval under the Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Act 2010. Source

Services in Queenstown

Security Officer Requirements in New Zealand

• Security companies need a company licence and sole traders need an individual licence. Employees who do security work need a certificate of approval. Working without one can bring a fine of up to $20,000, and running a company without a licence up to $40,000 for the person and $60,000 for the company. Source
• Property guards, personal guards and crowd controllers must complete three unit standards (27364, 27360 and 27361) or three skills standards worth 12 credits in total. Training is required only once. Source
• A temporary certificate lets a new guard work for 3 months while completing the required training. Source
• An individual licence requires 12 months of experience in the last 5 years in the classes applied for. For a company licence, at least one company officer must meet that requirement. Source
• Convictions for dishonesty, violence, drug supply, harassment or firearms offences in the last 7 years, or any past prison sentence, are grounds for disqualification, though the Authority can waive them. Source

Common Questions

Who employs the officers in New Zealand?

It depends on the location. Officers are employed by MGP where MGP holds the required licence, and by a vetted, locally licensed partner elsewhere. MGP manages the programme, its standards, local supervision and reporting either way.