NZSA Acknowledgement
Two Matrix Security patrol officers have been recognised among the industry’s best, with Tanpreet Singh and Hiruna Samadith named finalists in the 2026 New Zealand Security Association (NZSA) Patrol Officer of the Year Award.
Their joint nomination reflects not only an outstanding response to a critical incident, but the professionalism, vigilance and commitment they bring to protecting people and property every day.
Hiruna Samadith
Tanpreet Singh
A Defining Moment
The nomination follows an incident that demonstrated exactly why skilled and proactive security professionals play such an important role in safeguarding communities.
While conducting a routine patrol at a client school site, Tanpreet and Hiruna identified a fire and immediately contacted Fire and Emergency New Zealand. Recognising the urgency of the situation, they acted quickly to open site access gates and provide emergency responders with access to the affected classroom. Their calm judgement, teamwork and decisive actions enabled emergency services to respond without delay.
The school later acknowledged that their actions played a critical role in helping contain the fire and prevent what could have become significant damage to buildings and infrastructure. Fire and Emergency New Zealand also recognised the positive impact of their response and agreed the outcome could have been far more serious without their prompt actions.
Tanpreet Singh: Leading Through Reliability and Dedication
With three years’ experience in the security industry, Tanpreet has built a reputation for his positive attitude, reliability and commitment to supporting both clients and colleagues. He enjoys the responsibility that comes with security work and values being part of a team that helps keep people and places safe.
Being named an NZSA finalist is an achievement he is particularly proud of and one that reflects the dedication and effort he has invested throughout his career.
“Working in security can be challenging at times, so being recognised for the work I do is very rewarding. It motivates me to keep learning, improving and giving my best at work.”
Outside of work, Tanpreet enjoys playing cricket and spending time with friends.
Hiruna Samadith: Driven by Learning and Professional Growth
Since entering the security industry while completing his Master’s degree, Hiruna has developed a strong passion for the profession and the responsibility that comes with protecting people and property. His commitment to continuous learning, situational awareness and professional development has helped him quickly establish himself as a valued member of the Matrix Security patrol team.
His actions during the school fire reflected the calm decision-making, attention to detail and professionalism that are essential in security work, helping ensure emergency responders were able to act quickly and effectively.
“Security is more than simply being present at a site. It is about being proactive, identifying potential risks early and responding appropriately.”
Outside work, Hiruna enjoys learning about new technologies, software and web development, and is passionate about continuous personal and professional development.
Recognising the People Behind the Service
The NZSA Awards celebrate excellence across New Zealand’s security industry, and this recognition highlights the important contribution security professionals make every day to protecting people, property and communities.
Tanpreet and Hiruna’s nomination reflects the values that underpin Matrix Security’s approach to service: professionalism, accountability, teamwork and a commitment to doing the right thing when it matters most. Their actions during the school fire exemplified those values and demonstrated the difference that vigilant, well-trained security officers can make
Matrix Security congratulates both finalists on this well-deserved achievement and wishes them every success when the winners are announced at the 2026 NZSA Awards in Wellington on 11 September.