Being a Private Investigator in New Zealand
Note: This document has been prepared by the writer and are entirely the personal views of the writer and not anyone else. The points are intended as a guide only.
I am often asked what the criteria, age and abilities are to;
- Apply for a private investigators licence in NZ
- Become a successful private investigator in NZ
- Start a career as a private investigator in NZ
- Are there any courses for PI’s in New Zealand
- Applying for membership of NZIPI
Hopefully this document will assist in answering the above queries. Note: I am always happy to discuss particular points by phone at a mutually convenient time.
Obtaining a private investigators licence in NZ
To be able to offer your service as a Private investigator in New Zealand you need to be approved pursuant to our Act and this is governed by the PSPLA. I have attached the links to the government site that will explain the licensing regime and requirements etc.
http://www.justice.govt.nz/tribunals/PSPLA/applying-for-a-licence-or-certificate
The Industry
From 1974 to 2010 PI’s were governed by another Act (the 1974 Act) that set out certain skills or experience required to offer your services. That all changed with the new PSPLA Act introduced in 2010 that stipulates age and conviction requirements but is short on specifics relating to necessary relevant experience. While the current Licensing authority does attempt to vet suitable applicants, there are literally hundreds of individuals with a Certificate of Approval (“COA”) who, when the new Act was first introduced, just ticked the PI box, often while applying for a security related role at no additional fee. These persons holding a COA are required by law to work for a licence holder but the reality is that not everyone legally able to work as a PI in New Zealand is qualified, some have no investigative ability, and to make matters worse, there is no mandatory or ongoing training required (this is coming in future though). For these reasons, anyone contemplating instructing a “licensed individual” need to be very careful and seek some form or corroborative evidence as to experience and ability, and that is where the NZIPI can assist.
That said, the real PI profession has always been the domain of former police and typically sole traders, or one / two person agencies with a few only larger companies that employ staff. The profession is typically comprised of self-employed contract investigators, many who work for a variety of agencies.
Work flow tends to fluctuate with not a lot of middle ground, though there are exceptions with a few agencies or operators having contracts that come and go.
Previously certain insurance companies, corporates, banks and government agencies were known to instruct many private investigators but the trend in recent years has been towards an “in-house” model and that has dramatically reduced the amount of available work. That mood is changing but the insurers are still favouring their former staff who have set up as sole contractors.
For example, as a result of the Christchurch earthquake a number of self-employed operators went to work for EQC and that has since 2013 slowed, meaning a return to mainstream work or leaving to seek other full-time employment.
To obtain a full-time position with a private investigation company an individual would need to be very well connected to that company or have outstanding abilities known to the players in the profession.
An individual starting with no experience or contacts has virtually no opportunity to seek a full-time position.
The reasons for my comment above is simple; the typical PI client is likely to be a lawyer, executive in a corporate, business owner or government manager. They are looking to have an issue (not theirs personally) resolved and want to be seen to the persons they report to as instructing the right person, a professional who will take care of the problem. Therefore, there is no room for a trainee performing an interview or enquiry as often you only get the one go. This means that the investigator must be of the highest calibre which of course means having had formal training and experience.
Juniors, tend to work domestic cases, some surveillance, serve documents, trace individuals, try to recover third party debts and some basic background enquiry work. This is often the low paid work and sporadic, meaning that there is a high turnover of individuals, due to the inability to show regular or good income.
There are always a number of former police or other government investigators from New Zealand and especially overseas looking to break into the marketplace or secure work, only a few achieve any sort of business turnover or contract work, mostly for the reasons mentioned above.
The hours are of course flexible and when “it’s on”, a person must be willing to give up their previous appointments and family time if possible and assist the team. Other times there is an ability to pick your own hours. Mostly your day evolves as opposed to being routine or planned.
Virtually everyone in the profession knows everyone else and there has been a marked attitude swing in recent years to mutual respect and assisting each other. The New Zealand Institute of Professional investigators www.nzipi.org.nz is a group of individuals who have been accepted by their peers as members.
The Best Way to Enter the Profession – Courses ?
It should be obvious that the first or best way to a career as a “private” investigator is to be formally trained, usually this means having served in the police.
There are some courses and while all education is great, the reality is that there is nothing to beat a known professional investigator and someone who can demonstrate experience. Otherwise, it’s junior work only, if indeed there is such a position in one of the larger companies, on contract and the fluctuations of income that results.
A few years ago there were a few courses in New Zealand but these ceased due I believe to the inability to find placements and the lack of uptake.
Assuming a person is suitably qualified and wants to enter the profession, they should try to meet with a private investigator and discuss their goals and be willing to start on a trial on a limited rate.
If you have no previous investigative experience or limited experience then it’s an uphill battle and you cannot blame the industry participants for not replying to your requests because they get a lot of enquiries and as mentioned their time is billable. You really need to find a personal connection.
Police vs. the Corporate World
It is very different performing an investigation for a corporate as opposed to “being the Police and having the power of arrest”. Today’s clients know our business and they definitely know their business, so there is no pulling the wool over their eyes. Private clients demand respect, results, accountability and will be watching every minute spent critiquing the enquiry and the bill.
The one skill that shines through in virtually every successful investigation is the investigators ability to interview. Any investigator wishing to enter the private profession should be willing to learn everything they can about interview skills.
Likewise, there is no room for “the old ways” and you must be prepared to commit to any and all ongoing training and the changes in legislation especially privacy, employment and health and safety. I fondly recall sitting at the rear of the Association for the Deaf classes with earplugs learning lip reading just to be able to lip read in pubs.
The New Zealand Institute of Professional Investigators Inc. (“NZIPI”)
I have already mentioned the NZIPI. This industry body was started over 25 years ago by a group of PI’s who wanted to show the clients that they were credible and would work to a “Code of Ethics”. I was a founding member.
To join you apply using the appropriate forms and your application is canvassed to every full member who has the opportunity to comment. Once the application has been considered the Executive Committee makes a decision and that decision by consent of the applicant is final and the reasons are confidential to the Executive.
The Institute is often referred to as “The Industry Body”, in reality it is a like-minded professional group who as mentioned value their industry and will commit to ethical values and practices. NZIPI is regarded highly by the Licensing Authority and other agencies due to the reasons above and membership is something to proudly display.
Note:
- Membership is individual only, not corporate.
- The membership criteria is clearly detailed on the Institute file under the Rules at the Registrar of Incorporated Societies that can be found online.
The annual membership is currently $200 and for that there are a number of benefits the most obvious being able to advertise acceptance as a member. There is the ability to network with other professionals, receive a copy of the NZ Security Magazine and attend our meetings.
Like all groups, membership is what you make it and the effort you are willing to put in.
Closing
Paragon typically receives about three or four enquiries a week, often from people with some experience and while I do like to reply where possible and to help if I can, unfortunately as mentioned, time is money in this business and the profession is not that large.
If you really think, having regard to all the comments above, that the profession is for you, you are able to work your way up with not a lot of income at times then I do encourage you to pursue the same. If that is the case, then the first thing I would do is to start learning or perhaps if already qualified, committing to advanced learning of interview skills.
Every so often Paragon has an opening and we usually advertise seeking a specific skill set, but we will keep CV’s on file if asked. We usually have one junior on our team.
It takes a certain person to be a successful PI, usually a person who is very savvy, confident and a bit outgoing, able to talk to anyone at any time.
Ron McQuilter CFE
Managing Director Paragon
Current Chairman NZIPI
T +64 (021) 2222232
E ron.mcquilter@paragonnz.com