genetec - Nextro

New Zealand Faces Most Challenging Security Environment in Recent History

Nextro Marketing — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 01:42:59 +0000

New Zealand Faces Most Challenging Security Environment in Recent History

The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) has released its 2025 Threat Environment Report, revealing that the country is confronting its most complex national security landscape in decades.

Despite our geographic isolation in the South Pacific, New Zealand remains firmly in the crosshairs of sophisticated international threats.
See Nextro’s summary of the report below.

Six Critical Security Assessments for 2025

The NZSIS makes six key assessments about New Zealand’s
threat environment in 2025:

Lone actor terrorist attacks – The most plausible violent extremist attack scenario remains a lone actor who has radicalised online and prepares for violence without intelligence forewarning, likely using easily accessible weapons
Online-driven extremist support – Grievances and polarising issues in online spaces are almost certainly driving support for a range of violent extremist ideologies, with no single ideology presenting a greater threat
Youth radicalisation risk – Young and vulnerable people are particularly at risk of radicalisation, especially while online
Active foreign interference – Multiple states are conducting foreign interference activities, including transnational repression targeting diaspora communities
Undetected espionage – It is almost certain there is undetected espionage activity harming New Zealand’s national interests, with foreign states continuing to target critical organisations, infrastructure and technology
Insider exploitation – Some foreign states have attempted to exploit people inside public and private sector organisations through deceptive, corruptive, or coercive means

The Threat Landscape

The report reveals that a terrorist attack remains a “realistic possibility,” with young and vulnerable New Zealanders particularly at risk of online radicalisation. Foreign interference activities continue across multiple fronts, with several states actively targeting New Zealand. The People’s Republic of China remains the most active, though it’s not the only concern. These activities include transnational repression targeting diaspora communities, particularly those from certain religions, ethnicities, Rainbow communities, and pro-democracy movements.

The Global Context

Three global themes are driving these security challenges: strategic competition between major powers (particularly involving the US, China, and Russia), increasingly polarised and violent online rhetoric, and rapid technological advancement that’s both creating opportunities and vulnerabilities.

The report emphasises that while New Zealand may seem distant from global security hotspots, our economic connectedness, diverse society, and strategic location in an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific region make us a target for states seeking power and influence.

Looking Forward

The NZSIS stresses that while threats cannot always be eliminated, risks can be managed through awareness and robust security practices. The agency continues to call for public vigilance, encouraging New Zealanders to report concerning behaviour through their online portal at nzsis.govt.nz.

As global instability continues and shared international values degrade, the report makes clear that foreign interference and espionage activities are likely to intensify. For a nation that has long prided itself on being safely removed from international conflicts, this assessment serves as a sobering reminder that in our interconnected world, no country is truly isolated from global security challenges.

The full report provides detailed protective security advice for organisations and communities, emphasising that national security is increasingly everyone’s responsibility in this challenging new environment.

Whether you manage a crowded place, critical infrastructure, large retail, hospitality or logistics environment, contact Nextro today to discuss your protective security requirements.

Download a full copy of the report below.

New Zealand Security Environment Threat Report 2025

The post New Zealand Faces Most Challenging Security Environment in Recent History appeared first on Nextro.

New Biometric Processing Privacy Code for New Zealand 2025

Nextro Marketing — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 03:26:15 +0000

New Biometric Processing Privacy Code for New Zealand 2025

A major update for biometric security solutions in New Zealand

On 21 July 2025, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner in New Zealand announced the release of the Biometric Processing Privacy Code 2025. This is a significant milestone in regulating how biometric technologies, such as facial recognition, are used across New Zealand. The Code introduces specific rules for organisations collecting, using, and processing biometric information.

The new Code reinforces the importance of privacy in an era where biometric authentication is rapidly expanding across sectors, from critical infrastructure and public venues to private enterprise. It will be interesting to see how it is interpreted and whether it fits all use cases. Nextro recommends its customers to take note and follow the new code.

The Biometric Processing Privacy Code 2025 outlines how biometric information, such as facial features or iris scans, must be managed under the Privacy Act. It applies to technologies used to identify individuals or to learn about them, and sets expectations for transparency, necessity, fairness, and accountability in the use of these technologies.

Key Obligations for New Zealand Businesses:

For New Zealand organisations using biometric systems, including facial recognition cameras and biometric access control, the Code introduces the following key obligations.

Transparency: Businesses must ensure people know when their biometric information is being collected. Clear, accessible signage and privacy statements must be visible at the point of collection.
Purpose limitation: Biometric data must only be collected for specific, lawful purposes. The use must be necessary for that purpose and not collected ‘just in case’.
Necessity and proportionality: Organisations must assess whether less privacy-intrusive options exist before using biometric tech. If a swipe card or PIN can reasonably meet the same purpose, biometric use may not be justified.
Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs): A PIA is required for any biometric processing activity, documenting risks and mitigations. This is mandatory and should be completed prior to deployment.
Consent and alternatives: In many cases, particularly in workplaces or public access scenarios, individuals must be offered a genuine alternative to biometric enrolment, unless an exemption applies.
Special restrictions: Certain uses, like real-time facial recognition in public, or profiling individuals based on biometric data, are considered high-risk, and face stricter scrutiny under the Code.

The Code comes into effect on 3 November 2025 with new systems deployed after that date having to be compliant. A grace period for existing biometric systems, in operation prior to 3 November 2025, gives operators until 3 August 2026 to meet the updated compliance standards. New systems will need to be compliant from 3 November 2025.

This timeframe is short and likely insufficient for large organisations. Nextro recommends that business start early to ensure sufficient time to assess and align their technologies, policies, and processes.

Nextro will continue to work closely with its technology partners and customers to ensure that our evolving biometric solutions are capable of meeting the requirements of the Code.

We encourage all businesses using or considering biometric technologies to familiarise themselves with the Code.

Please reach out to the Nextro team to discuss our face recognition, iris recognition, and finger print biometric access control solutions.

For more information:

Read a Summary of the biometric processing privacy Code Read the biometric Processing privacy Code See Factsheets for an overview of the code Read Guidance on the code Contact us to Find out more

The post New Biometric Processing Privacy Code for New Zealand 2025 appeared first on Nextro.

Nextro achieves Genetec Unified Elite Partner status

Nextro Marketing — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 20:30:50 +0000

Nextro achieves Genetec Unified Elite Partner status

Auckland, New Zealand – 7 March 2023 – Nextro, a leading security integrator in New Zealand, is proud to announce that it has been awarded the coveted Genetec Unified Elite Partner status for 2023/2024.

“This achievement builds on Nextro’s Genetec Rookie of the Year Award in 2022 and is formal recognition by Genetec of Nextro’s growth and commitment to delivering unified security solutions to New Zealand businesses,” said George Moawad, Country Manager – Oceania, Genetec.

Nextro is one of just two security integrators in New Zealand with the Genetec Unified Elite Partner designation.

Nextro has been recognised as Genetec Unified Elite Partner.

Whether a business needs video surveillance, access control, intrusion detection, intercoms, license plate recognition, or all of them together, Nextro’s team of trained and certified security professionals is able to assist.

“Nextro’s unified security capabilities are combined with its telecommunications and networking expertise to deliver enhanced managed security outcomes for our fast-growing, tier-one customer base,” said Martyn Levy, Nextro’s Managing Director.

If you would like to see how Nextro can help your business achieve security, safety, and operational efficiency outcomes, through clever and unified security design, please get in touch here.

#protecttheeveryday #unifiedsecurity #videosurveillance #accesscontrol #intrusiondetection #LPR #ANPR #buildingservicesnetworks #cybersecurity #physicalsecurity #counterterrorism #crimeprevention #missioncontrol #securityintegrator

The post Nextro achieves Genetec Unified Elite Partner status appeared first on Nextro.