Security for premises & events

Security for premises and events in New Zealand

Updated 4 November 2026

Guard rates in New Zealand start at about NZ$33 an hour plus GST, and Auckland's event planning guidelines expect NZ$25–30 an hour plus GST for a qualified guard. Your total depends on the hours, the number of guards and the licence they need, so the quickest way to a real figure is a request on BlaBlaPrice.

What the price depends on

Security is quoted per hour, so the total grows with the length of the shift or event. The other factors are:

• the number of guards, and whether they stand at a post or patrol
• the type of cover: crowd control, entry management, VIP or venue security
• the number of guests expected at an event
• extras such as a control room, a response team or event patrols

Licences and rules

Anyone working in private security needs a company licence, an individual licence or a certificate of approval. Guard roles are defined as property guard, crowd controller and personal guard, so ask each firm which role its guards hold. A festival or large sports event may also need a special licence application, and the plan may require dedicated security, wristband systems and separate family areas. Ask the firm for public liability insurance, which event guides and venues expect.

Season and planning ahead

Summer runs from December to February and winter from June to August, when evenings are shorter and outdoor sites are darker. Firms ask to hear about event dates well before they arrive, so book early for the summer months. For a premises contract, agree the schedule and term at the start so the first shift begins on time.

What to put in your request

Give the site to guard and its address, the schedule with dates, whether you need guards or posts, the number of guests for an event, and any licence or extra service you require. Add your budget, and say whether you want the price per hour or per event.

Describe the event or site in your own words in a BlaBlaPrice chat. The service is free for buyers. The AI asks about missing details such as dates and guest numbers, looks through security firms' websites and price lists in New Zealand, and shows the prices and businesses it finds. Registered firms reply in the chat with their own price and terms, and your contact details stay hidden until you choose to share them. Create a request or read how BlaBlaPrice works.