The removal of COVID mandates and restrictions could leave one industry with a dramatic downturn in work.
The role of security workers will change as early as this weekend - potentially leaving some operators with a surplus of staff.
Security guards have been on the frontline of our pandemic response since the day COVID came into our community.
"You have to move with the times and provide security wherever it's needed, it doesn't matter if it's a supermarket or government entity," October Protection CEO Matt Wood says.
COVID created new jobs checking vaccine passes for public buildings and managing testing stations.
But with mandates and restrictions starting to lift from this weekend the industry is having to move again.
"We've been 2000 understaffed for about five years now so the industry is continually trying to bring in people to attract people to the industry so as they become free they will be redeployed," New Zealand Security Association CEO Gary Morrison says.
"We've got work available for people, it's hard to promise and know what that work is going to be," Wood says.
In 2021 alone, there were nearly 12,000 applications for security certificates and licenses.
The total number of qualified companies and guards is now more than 37,000 across the country.
"We compare that to police - about 12,000 police - so we are a very very substantial workforce," Morrison says.
There's been a substantial workforce in our MIQ facilities but most of those will soon close.
"[There are] 35 quarantine facilities around New Zealand and potentially 20 guards in each one - you know we're suddenly looking at 700 guards looking for work," Wood says.
They may well find it around the country's sporting venues and arenas, with outdoor restrictions kicked for touch and crowds allowed back in the stands.
