Fatal blaze response earns top security officer title

Turike Tairea is the best security officer in the country.

It was just another night patrol for Rotorua security officer Turike Tairea - until he was the first on the scene of a horrific fire at a Riri St factory.

The "exceptional" job he did that night, along with his strong natural instincts, leadership skills and reliability, have been recognised with Mr Tairea named New Zealand's Security Officer of the Year.

The winners of the 2013 New Zealand Security Awards, run by the New Zealand Security Association and The Skills Organisation, were announced at a gala dinner in Auckland last month with Rotorua taking two of the six gongs.

Mr Tairea works for Watchdog Security Group.

Also in the honours, Rotorua's Venue Response Security was named Security Training Workplace of the Year.

Venue Response Security General Manager Angela Hawkins and owner Tony Parker receive their award

Watchdog managing director Brett Wilson said he was incredibly proud of Mr Tairea's achievement.

"He's done a whole lot of good stuff that led to arrests on numerous occasions.

"I'd like to clone the guy."

Mr Wilson said Mr Tairea, a performing arts tutor before becoming a security officer five years ago, had the ability to think outside the square and do his job "smart".

But it was his composure at the Riri St fire, which tragically claimed the life of 14-year-old Mihinui Tamiana, that probably clinched the award, Mr Wilson said.

Mr Tairea called emergency services, got the other teenagers away from the fire, checked around the building for injured and stopped young people going back into the burning building, his boss said.

"He did an exceptional job in difficult circumstances. He had no time to prepare, he just had to react."

Mr Wilson said Mr Tairea was a "humble guy" who, without realising it, acted as a mentor and example to his colleagues with his quiet and calm demeanour.

The man himself said he was surprised and grateful to win the award, but it was more about recognition for the company.

Mr Tairea said he enjoyed his job, and despite the added danger he also enjoyed night shifts as there was "lots more stuff happening".

"The thing I like most about it is serving the community ... that's the main thing."

He said the Riri St fire was scary and a first time experience for him, but he had just tried to stay calm.

Mr Tairea said he wanted to thank Watchdog, which had always encouraged its staff to do well.

Meanwhile, Venue Response Security owner and managing director Tony Parker is still celebrating.

After starting the company about seven years ago, winning the training workplace of the year title was a "huge boost", he said.

He wasn't going to travel to Auckland for the awards, but was convinced to go by organisers. And he was glad he did. "It was a buzz," he said.

"The small companies don't usually get a look in."

The company has 20 staff - up to 140 on event days - and has provided security for a range of Rotorua events including the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Mr Parker said it was exciting that a "little old tin pot company in Rotorua" had taken on and beaten the big boys.

Venue Response trainee Te Peeti Tihi was also a finalist for Security Trainee of the Year, so it was a good night to be from Rotorua, according to Mr Parker.

"It was a pretty exciting night for Rotorua. We creamed the country."