Su Kaur has notched up a stellar decade with FIRST Security during a career that has seen her rise from security guard to a range of regional management roles, writes Nicholas Dynon.
Su Kaur has just celebrated 10 years with FIRST Security. Her recent leadership and managerial roles, including Auckland Operations Manager and Waikato Branch Manager, have been the result of an impressive rise through the ranks.
“I started my journey on the front line as a Security Officer, learning firsthand the realities of the role – long hours, high-pressure situations, and the importance of staying calm and professional at all times,” Su posted recently. “Those early experiences built the foundation for everything that followed.”
She is currently FIRST’s Contracts Manager – Rail and Events, a testament not only to her capability and commitment to excellence, but also to her significant expertise in public transport security.
“Su is a truly valued member of our team who consistently goes above and beyond to support and look after her staff.”
“Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to grow through a range of roles, each bringing new challenges and responsibilities,” she said. “From managing teams to navigating complex client expectations, there were plenty of moments that pushed me outside my comfort zone – but those were also the moments where the most growth happened.
“Today, I am proud to be working as a Contracts Manager, leading teams and contributing to the success of the business. It’s a role that comes with responsibility, but also a strong sense of purpose – especially knowing where I started.”
Su’s achievements were recognised at the national level in 2022 with her being awarded a coveted Women in Security Awards Aotearoa (WiSAA) gong, taking out the ‘Leader’ category.
She has also achieved shortlisting as a finalist for several awards, including in the OSPAs (Outstanding Female Security Professional 2025, and Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director of the Year 2023) and New Zealand Security Awards (Security Consultant of the Year 2025, Security Supervisor / Operations Manager of the Year 2022).
In support of her ultimately successful WiSAA nomination, one of Su’s colleagues who had been to deployments in the field that Su had managed, noted that her leadership skills were first class.
“She plans, reviews and executes operational requirements with military precision,” he said. “Whilst being a quiet person, Su leads from the front and is very much a ‘leader’ compared to manager. People follow Su, as they respect her.”
The esteem in which Su is held among her colleagues was reflected in a FIRST Security internal “Tuesday Shout-Out” recognition award in June 2019, and in February 2023 when she was named FIRST Security’s 2022 Strive Office Employee of the Year.
“Su is a truly valued member of our team who consistently goes above and beyond to support and look after her staff,” stated an announcement by FIRST Security in relation to Su’s decade milestone. “Her leadership, care for her people, and strong work ethic make a real difference every day.”
