FAQ's

We get a lot of questions on all sorts of topics. Here we cover off the most common questions. If you have a question that is not answered here, feel free to reach out.

NZIPI as the accepted professional body cannot endorse any member or company. But employing a member of NZIPI means the Private Investigator as well as being properly licensed, commits further to a Code of Conduct and Professional Standards. That said, referrals are best and once you have engaged with the private Investigator you should be satisfied that they;

Have relevant expertise in the specific task at hand. Not all Private Investigators are equal. Skill sets differ.
Can complete the task in a timely manner
Agree a cost structure or budget

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 courses offering a PI certificate, but there are a few things to be aware of:

Courses are run by and designed by private companies who typically offer the course as one of their suites of packages.
The course is typically at best an “introduction” to the work of a private investigator.
There is no right of membership to NZIPI or a licence from PSPLA at the completion of the course.

NZIPI endorse only one beginners course and that is the one run by C4 Group in New Zealand, the contact there is Kathy Wright (kathy@c4group.co.nz)

Ideally, you should try to engage with a licensed private investigator. It’s an uphill battle and you cannot blame the industry participants for not replying to your request because they get a lot of such enquiries from and their time is billable. You really need to find a personal connection.

To obtain a Private Investigator licence to operate you must have relevant experience. Check with PSPLA on their requirements here If you wanted to work as a trainee for a licence holder, you would need to hold a Certificate of Approval. To get that, you would also require a letter from a licence holder requesting PSPLA to grant a Certificate of Approval on the basis that the licence holder will train you.

Complaints are dealt with by the PSPLA and the DIA click here for their complaints page. If you wish to complain about a member of the NZIPI, you should first check the person is a member (see above) and if they are you can email admin@nzipi.org.nz We will note the complaint and either await the outcome of the PSPLA complaint process and/or consider the complaint at the same time, depending on the seriousness of the complaint, at our discretion. NOTE: Membership of NZIPI is individual, meaning we cannot accept complaints against companies, only PSPLA can accept such complaints.