New Zealand | Security Industry Guide | November 2026

A New Zealand security guard has had his certificate of approval cancelled following two incidents that raised concerns about his suitability to continue working in the security industry.

Shakur Ioane Lali had his Certificate of Approval (COA) cancelled by the Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority (PSPLA) in a decision dated October 19, 2026, following a complaint brought by New Zealand Police.

The decision followed an incident on September 2, 2026, when Ioane Lali contacted police and told officers he wanted them to shoot him.

His partner subsequently contacted police, reporting that he had a firearm and was waiting for officers to arrive.

An air rifle was later found at his residence, and he was taken into custody under section 109 of the Mental Health Act before being transported to hospital for assessment.

The Authority also considered an earlier incident in 2024, when Ioane Lali was seen walking through a shopping mall swinging a machete.

He was charged with possession of an offensive weapon, and his security approval was suspended for five months.

However, he was later discharged without conviction, and his COA was reinstated in November 2024 with conditions relating to further violent or antisocial behaviour.

The decision noted that police understood the earlier incident had occurred during a mental health crisis and that Ioane Lali had sought medical assistance.

Following the September 2026 incident, police applied to have his security approval cancelled, arguing that his behaviour raised concerns about the safety of both himself and the public.

A hearing was held remotely on October 16, 2026.

Although Ioane Lali had accepted the hearing appointment, he did not attend or provide the requested information from a mental health professional confirming that he had completed an assessment and was complying with any required treatment.

Licensing Authority P A McConnell considered the information provided by police and concluded that Ioane Lali was no longer suitable to work as a security guard.

McConnell noted that no statutory grounds for automatic disqualification applied to Ioane Lali. The decision instead concerned his suitability to continue holding a security approval.

The Authority said it would have considered suspension rather than cancellation had the September incident been the first concern raised since Ioane Lali received his COA in 2023.

However, the earlier incident and the conditions imposed when his approval was reinstated were taken into account.

His COA was cancelled with immediate effect, and he was ordered to return his security identification card to the PSPLA within seven days of receiving the decision.

The Authority did not impose a minimum waiting period before Ioane Lali could apply for another certificate.

However, any future application would require supporting evidence from a doctor or mental health professional confirming that he had been assessed, consistently complied with prescribed treatment and remained well without further concerning incidents for at least 12 months.

The decision does not record a criminal conviction arising from either incident.

The matter is recorded as 2026 NZPSPLA 097, dated October 19, 2026.