Security isn't just a service — it's trust. When you choose Watchdog, you're choosing a team that takes protecting people and property personally. We're locally owned, locally staffed, and known for dependable response, clear communication, and doing the job properly.
Why Watchdog
Local, proven, built to protect
Watchdog Security Group has protected Tauranga and Rotorua for over 25 years — with a 100% local team, an award-winning monitoring centre, and a quality-first approach that doesn't take shortcuts.
Talk to our team
Or call 0800 928 243
- 100% local team
- Westpac Pro Service '24
- NZSA award winners
- Founded 2003
Security as a service of trust
Five things our clients call out
100% Local Team
Boots on the ground in the places we protect. Faster response, better local knowledge, and a team you can actually reach.
Proven Reliability
25+ years and hundreds of clients. Reputation built on consistency — showing up, following processes, delivering.
Guaranteed Response
When an alarm activates, minutes matter. Local response means we act quickly and efficiently when it counts.
Quality-First Security
Well-trained staff, strong procedures, and the right tools across monitoring, patrols, guarding, and specialised work. No shortcuts.
People Who Care
We look after our staff, invest in training, and build a supportive culture — because that directly improves the service you receive.
From a family dog to the BoP's go-to team
Watchdog Security Group was built on a simple idea: security done right makes our communities safer.
Our name goes right back to a family dog — a neighbourhood patroller known as "Marty Watchdog." It stuck, and the story still reflects who we are today: alert, dependable, and always looking out for others.
We started with a fully operational monitoring and response service, a small team, and a single client. Over the years, we've grown into one of the largest security providers in the Bay of Plenty region, supporting a wide range of commercial, residential, and public-sector clients — all while staying true to what made us successful in the first place: Being local. Being reliable. Delivering quality service.
Who we are, in Brett's own words
A few minutes with Brett Wilson on what we stand for — quality, locality, and why security is a service of trust.
Our Leadership
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Chief Executive Officer
Brett Wilson
Brett co-founded Watchdog in 2003 alongside his brother Mark and has led the business from a small local operation to a leading security provider in the region, now employing 100+ frontline staff. He also serves as Vice Chairperson of the New Zealand Security Association, helping shape industry standards while remaining hands-on as Watchdog's full-time CEO.
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Administrator
Suzy Wilson
Suzy has been with Watchdog since day one and is the backbone of the business behind the scenes. With deep knowledge of Watchdog's systems, processes, and operations, she leads the accounts function and is the first point of contact for client account queries.
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Monitoring Manager & Systems Admin
Josh Harper
Josh leads the monitoring centre and core IT systems that support our 24/7 operations. He's responsible for strengthening quality control and ensuring our technology and processes keep pace with modern security requirements, with a particular focus on systems that improve health and safety outcomes for frontline work.
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Tauranga Branch Manager
Joel Walsh
Joel leads Watchdog's Tauranga and Mount Maunganui operations, coordinating frontline teams and ensuring clients receive consistent, responsive service. He specialises in building practical, site-specific security plans — combining guarding, patrols, and alarm monitoring to suit each environment and risk profile.
Our Awards
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2024
2024 Westpac Business Awards
Professional Service of the Year
Watchdog Security Group
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2024
2024 NZSA Security Awards
Monitoring Operator/Communication Operator of the Year
April Tanga & Antony Wellington
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2021
2021 NZSA Security Awards
Special Recognition Award
Brett Wilson
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2020
2020 Westpac Business Awards
Employer of the Year
Watchdog Security
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2019
2019 NZSA Security Awards
Security Supervisor of the Year
Rere Keremete
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2017
2017 NZSA Security Awards
Security Specialist of the Year
Josh Harper
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2016
2016 NZSA Security Awards
Security Operations Manager of the Year
Rangi Hurihanganui
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2016
2016 NZSA Security Awards
Overall Security Person of the Year
Rangi Hurihanganui
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2013
2013 NZSA Security Awards
Ian Dick Memorial for Security Officer of the Year
Turike Tairea