Smart security system to be trialled at Auckland parish

By CathNews New Zealand

November 6th, 2026

(Google Maps)

A new smart security system that analyses activity at a site and integrates with a booking system is to be trialled at an Auckland church after an attempt was made to start a fire on the grounds.

Good Shepherd Parish in Balmoral announced the trial of the “smart intelligence” system after a “change of security pattern” within the parish boundary had been observed in recent months.

A security consulting company was engaged to look at securing the site with new technology that is to be trialled in the coming month.

“We have had an incident recently where someone has tried to set fire to the lower playground. . . . [W] e have also upgraded certain barriers to avoid unnecessary vehicles [trying] to enter our site to do burnouts,” a parish Facebook post stated.

“A new security system will utilise smart intelligence to look for anomalies when at certain times where there should be limited people around. This is just a heads up as we will also integrate our booking system. They will integrate with our security software that will automatically alert when . . . no scheduled bookings are in place.

“Good Shepherd is a place where we want to keep safe the people that come to worship,” the Facebook post stated. Lighting will also be upgraded to make safer the space “that God has trusted to us”.

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During recent months… (Good Shepherd Parish Balmoral/Facebook)