
Optic Security Group celebrates triple win at 2025 OSPAs event
The Australasian security integrator secured victories in the Outstanding Security Partnership, Outstanding Female Security Professional, and Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director categories. These awards reflect achievements in both individual and team performance within New Zealand's security sector.
Recognition at the OSPAs is considered highly sought after in the global security industry, with the awards programme designed to honour excellence and best practice by companies and professionals alike.
Chelsea Wallis from Optic Security Group received the Outstanding Female Security Professional award. Nicholas Dynon was recognised as Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director, and the organisation's Wellington team, in partnership with Victoria University Wellington, received the Outstanding Security Partnership award. "It's great to see these quiet achievers receiving well deserved recognition. We at Optic are very proud of them, their achievements, and the teams that support them."
Optic Security Group Managing Director Mike Cunningham praised the winners and the broader teams supporting them, highlighting the company's collective effort in achieving the three wins.
In addition to these category wins, Optic Security Group's Retail Crime Prevention Programme Team was shortlisted in the Outstanding Security Integrator/Installer category, reflecting the range and impact of the company's initiatives.
Awards were presented across eleven categories at the event. Professor Martin Gill, founder of the OSPAs, commented on the overall standard of this year's nominees. "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."
Nik Boeinghoff, New Zealand General Manager of Optic Security Group, congratulated the company's teams and other finalists, stating: "Eleven OSPA categories, Optic finalists in four, and winners in three. It was a fantastic achievement by the team, and most definitely well deserved. Congratulations also to the other category winners and to all the finalists. All those recognised this evening have done our industry proud."
According to the winner summary for Chelsea Wallis, her career trajectory has demonstrated notable advancement, rising to her current position as Key Account and Customer Experience Manager. The summary states: "Chelsea consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic, an insatiable curiosity for learning, and a growth mindset that set her apart in every project and challenge she takes on. Chelsea's ability to influence client operations, build effective relationships, and add value is delivering superior client satisfaction and security outcomes. Judges felt that the supporting comments clearly articulate the value that Chelsea brings to her role and the sector."
The Outstanding Security Partnership award, shared by Optic Security Group and Victoria University Wellington, recognised the collaboration on a major asset upgrade project. The joint effort is credited with stabilising the university's security systems and minimising failures. The judges' summary noted: "Judges felt that the creation of a two-way street of mutual trust and respect, enabled continuous improvement and mutual learning and growth."
Nicholas Dynon, who previously won the Lifetime Achievement award at the inaugural New Zealand OSPAs in 2022, was again recognised—this time as Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director. The judges noted Dynon's influence on operational practices within customer organisations and his peers both locally and abroad: "Judges noted that Optic's Group Brand Strategy & Innovation Director had 'profoundly influenced the business operations of his customer organisations, as well as influencing his security consultant peers within New Zealand's security industry, and internationally' through the quality of his outputs, evidence-based approach, and focus on knowledge production."
Optic Security Group's recent performance continues an established presence at the OSPAs. In previous years, its employees have also been recipients of major awards, including in consultancy and contract security management categories.
All nominees, finalists, and category winners at the 2025 awards were congratulated by Optic Security Group for their efforts and for contributing to the advancement of standards within the sector.
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RNZ News
03-08-2025
- RNZ News
Couple take former Pāpāmoa Beach homeowner to court as she refuses to leave
By Hannah Bartlett, Open Justice reporter of Terina O'Connell says she had not consented to the mortgagee sale but ASB went ahead with it anyway. Photo: Hannah Bartlett / NZME A couple who bought a Pāpāmoa Beach house needed a High Court order to remove the previous owner, after she refused to leave the property. New owners Benjamin and Chelsea Brown bought the two-bedroom home at a mortgagee sale this year, with settlement taking place on 21 May. Previous owner Terina O'Connell said she had been trying to "negotiate a solution with ASB for two years" and had not consented to the sale of her home. As a result, she refused to move out and even went as far as reaching out to people on social media, asking them to come to her home and support her before settlement day. The new owners sought a trespass order on 22 May to remove O'Connell and her supporters, and when that didn't work, they took their case to the High Court. According to a recently released High Court decision, Justice Dani Gardiner held a telephone conference on 6 June, when O'Connell's position could be heard by all parties. The court was also referred to a Facebook post she made, where she invited supporters to join her at the house. There are two posts still on her Facebook page, in which she did a "call-out" for support, saying "all I know is that the supposed settlement is Tuesday, 20 May 2025 - tomorrow". She said the purchasers had "made a deal with the devil" and that "the bank does not own my property, I have no business with you and I am not bound by any contract you made". She posted that she "would appreciate some support at my home... tomorrow afternoon... tomorrow night and for the next couple of days". While not discussed in the High Court judgment, there was also a livestreamed Facebook interview that O'Connell did with Counterspin Media, in which she explained her views on the "alleged debt" owed to the bank. In it, she said she had paused her mortgage repayments, while the bank refused to provide her with documentation she had requested or answer questions she had. The judge summarised O'Connell's position as primarily taking issue with the mortgagee sale process conducted by ASB. O'Connell told the court she'd tried to "negotiate a solution" for two years and had not consented to the mortgagee sale, and said ASB went ahead with the sale anyway. She also said ASB's solicitor advised her of the settlement date, but said she was told the couple's lawyer would contact her about vacating. O'Connell said that never happened and, the day after settlement, the new owner arrived at the property, followed by security guards and police, and she had been "harassed". She rejected the couple's claim that her presence at the house, with others, had posed a risk of damage to the property, adding they were there to "support her through this stressful time", and that she would experience emotional and financial hardship, if forced to leave. Justice Gardiner's decision said the Browns were the registered owners, and any issues that O'Connell had before the mortgagee sale were "between her and ASB". "These issues do not affect the plaintiffs' legal ownership of the property," Justice Gardiner said. The judge said, while it may have been unfortunate if O'Connell had been unaware the couple intended to take possession of the property immediately on settlement, that was the usual case. She also accepted there was a risk of damage to the property by O'Connell or her supporters. The High Court judgment also noted that, while O'Connell remained at the property, the couple were in breach of their insurance policy, as they couldn't change the locks or get an electrical warrant of fitness. They were also unable to rent the property to service their mortgage, which placed them at risk of default. The judge made an order requiring O'Connell and any other occupants to vacate the property by Monday, 9 June. Cotality New Zealand data showed a "minor lift" to 81 mortgagee sales in the second quarter of this year, up on the previous quarter, when there were 52. This marked the highest number since the fourth quarter of 2023, when there were 101 mortgagee sales. However, Cotality head of research Nick Goodall said the number was "still very low in a longer-term context, especially compared to the Global Financial Crisis". "I think this illustrates a more stable financial lending environment over the last decade or so, as well as the willingness and ability of banks to work closely with borrowers who may be struggling, rather than resort to mortgagee sales, which doesn't really benefit either party." OneRoof has 58 properties currently listed as "mortgagee sales" in New Zealand, with the total number of properties listed sitting at just over 38,000. New Zealand Banking Association chief executive Roger Beaumont said banks were responsible lenders. They typically had dedicated teams to deal with those experiencing financial difficulty, and mortgagee sales were "rare and always a last resort". "There are several options that banks may offer... depending on their particular circumstances. That may, for example, include temporarily moving to interest-only repayments." Beaumont said, in the six months from July to December 2024, there were 1.4 million home loans across 1.1 million customers. "As an indication of potential financial issues, of the total number of home loans in that period, 17,445 loans switched from principal and interest repayments to interest-only repayments." - This story originally appeared in the Zealand Herald .


Techday NZ
22-07-2025
- Techday NZ
Dynon is first New Zealander in global Top 40 security leaders
Optic Security Group's Group Brand Strategy & Innovation Director Nicholas Dynon has been named to the Life Safety Association's Top 40 Thought Leaders in Security & Life Safety for 2025, becoming the first New Zealander to appear on the list. Dynon, who is based in Auckland, was recognised alongside security professionals from over a dozen countries, representing diverse sectors including life safety, physical security, cybersecurity, risk management, loss prevention, and intelligence. Three Australians were also included among the listees. The Top 40 Thought Leaders are selected by a committee based on several criteria, including number of conference presentations delivered, webinar and podcast appearances, LinkedIn reach, authored journal articles, published media commentary, and volunteer leadership positions held over a 12-month period. Optic Security Group Managing Director Mike Cunningham congratulated Dynon on this achievement. "What we know at Optic Security Group is that it takes years of hard work to become an overnight sensation. That is true at all levels of Nick's work, his dedication, and his approach to client engagement." Cunningham also highlighted the significance of being the only New Zealander acknowledged in the Top 40, saying, "To be the only New Zealander recognised underscores Nick's commitment to the industry and Optic Security Group's customers across an unmatched service footprint in Australia and New Zealand. Well done, Nick, we at Optic are all very proud of your achievement." A significant factor contributing to Dynon's inclusion was the international recognition of his research on the public acceptability of facial recognition technology in varied security and surveillance contexts. His work, published in Massey University's National Security Journal, has not only appeared in domestic outlets but was translated and featured in the Japanese press. Beyond research, Dynon's voluntary leadership roles contributed to his Top 40 placement. He serves as secretary for the ASIS International New Zealand chapter, is a member of the New Zealand Security Association Security Consultant Special Interest Group, and co-founded the annual Women in Security Awards Aotearoa. Dynon expressed his appreciation for the recognition, stating, "I am honoured and humbled to be named among this esteemed group of security professionals. I'm particularly proud to be the first New Zealander to make the list, and I'm confident we'll be seeing more Kiwis recognised in the Top 40 going forward." He also pointed to the ongoing technology initiatives at Optic Security Group. "We're advancing some exciting work in Optic Security Group in the emerging security technology space, including facial recognition, artificial intelligence, and advanced video analytics," he said. "It's an environment that promotes innovation, thought leadership, and a genuine desire to raise industry standards and take security thinking to new heights." Dynon acknowledged the support provided by his employer, noting, "Ultimately, I'm grateful to Optic for providing not only an intellectually enriching workplace, but also for encouraging its people to seek opportunities for leadership and service to the industry and community." In his current role, Dynon oversees operations at the OpticIQ Lab, a division specialising in the development, testing, training, and readiness deployment of analytics and AI-enabled security technologies. The laboratory is led by Vlado Damjanovski, noted for his expertise in CCTV, and operates from Adelaide. Dynon's recognition marks a milestone not only for Optic Security Group but also for the profile of New Zealand's security professionals on the international stage.


Techday NZ
03-07-2025
- Techday NZ
Optic Security Group celebrates triple win at 2025 OSPAs event
Optic Security Group has won three awards at the 2025 New Zealand Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs). The Australasian security integrator secured victories in the Outstanding Security Partnership, Outstanding Female Security Professional, and Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director categories. These awards reflect achievements in both individual and team performance within New Zealand's security sector. Recognition at the OSPAs is considered highly sought after in the global security industry, with the awards programme designed to honour excellence and best practice by companies and professionals alike. Chelsea Wallis from Optic Security Group received the Outstanding Female Security Professional award. Nicholas Dynon was recognised as Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director, and the organisation's Wellington team, in partnership with Victoria University Wellington, received the Outstanding Security Partnership award. "It's great to see these quiet achievers receiving well deserved recognition. We at Optic are very proud of them, their achievements, and the teams that support them." Optic Security Group Managing Director Mike Cunningham praised the winners and the broader teams supporting them, highlighting the company's collective effort in achieving the three wins. In addition to these category wins, Optic Security Group's Retail Crime Prevention Programme Team was shortlisted in the Outstanding Security Integrator/Installer category, reflecting the range and impact of the company's initiatives. Awards were presented across eleven categories at the event. Professor Martin Gill, founder of the OSPAs, commented on the overall standard of this year's nominees. "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." Nik Boeinghoff, New Zealand General Manager of Optic Security Group, congratulated the company's teams and other finalists, stating: "Eleven OSPA categories, Optic finalists in four, and winners in three. It was a fantastic achievement by the team, and most definitely well deserved. Congratulations also to the other category winners and to all the finalists. All those recognised this evening have done our industry proud." According to the winner summary for Chelsea Wallis, her career trajectory has demonstrated notable advancement, rising to her current position as Key Account and Customer Experience Manager. The summary states: "Chelsea consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic, an insatiable curiosity for learning, and a growth mindset that set her apart in every project and challenge she takes on. Chelsea's ability to influence client operations, build effective relationships, and add value is delivering superior client satisfaction and security outcomes. Judges felt that the supporting comments clearly articulate the value that Chelsea brings to her role and the sector." The Outstanding Security Partnership award, shared by Optic Security Group and Victoria University Wellington, recognised the collaboration on a major asset upgrade project. The joint effort is credited with stabilising the university's security systems and minimising failures. The judges' summary noted: "Judges felt that the creation of a two-way street of mutual trust and respect, enabled continuous improvement and mutual learning and growth." Nicholas Dynon, who previously won the Lifetime Achievement award at the inaugural New Zealand OSPAs in 2022, was again recognised—this time as Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director. The judges noted Dynon's influence on operational practices within customer organisations and his peers both locally and abroad: "Judges noted that Optic's Group Brand Strategy & Innovation Director had 'profoundly influenced the business operations of his customer organisations, as well as influencing his security consultant peers within New Zealand's security industry, and internationally' through the quality of his outputs, evidence-based approach, and focus on knowledge production." Optic Security Group's recent performance continues an established presence at the OSPAs. In previous years, its employees have also been recipients of major awards, including in consultancy and contract security management categories. All nominees, finalists, and category winners at the 2025 awards were congratulated by Optic Security Group for their efforts and for contributing to the advancement of standards within the sector.