Vaikai Mati Messine’s Licence Cancelled Amid Criminal Convictions

Security guard Vaikai Mati Messine has had his Certificate of Approval cancelled by the Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority (PSPLA) following convictions for multiple violent offences. The ruling, recorded as [2025] NZPSPLA 138, was issued on 18 December 2025 after a complaint from New Zealand Police regarding Mr Mati Messine’s suitability to hold a licence. The Licensing Authority noted that Mr Mati Messine neither attended the remote hearing nor filed a response to the police complaint.

According to official records, Mr Mati Messine was convicted in March 2025 of assault with intent to injure and was sentenced to 100 hours of community work and ordered to pay $500 in reparation. He was later convicted of a second assault in October 2025, which occurred while he was working as a security guard; he has not yet been sentenced for this offence. Police also reported that a warrant has been issued for Mr Mati Messine’s arrest after he failed to appear in court in relation to his March 2025 community work sentence. He is further under investigation for another alleged assault that occurred during his employment as a security guard.

The PSPLA determined that both convictions are grounds for disqualification under Section 62 of the Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Act 2010 (PSPPI Act), which mandates cancellation of a Certificate of Approval unless the disqualification is formally waived. Considering the nature of the offences and the outstanding warrant for his arrest, the authority concluded that Mr Mati Messine is no longer suitable to hold a security certificate. His COA was cancelled immediately, and he has been ordered to return his security identification within seven days. Failure to do so may constitute an offence under the Act, which carries the possibility of a fine.

The decision underscores the regulatory obligations on security licence holders in New Zealand and the PSPLA’s commitment to ensuring that only fit and eligible individuals are authorised to provide security services. Security professionals and businesses are reminded that convictions for violent offences while holding a licence are considered serious and can result in immediate removal from the industry. https://www.justice.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Decisions/2025-NZPSPLA-138.pdf