Private investigator licensing in New Zealand

Yes. Private investigators need a licence in New Zealand. The Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority issues licences to private investigator businesses (individual or company licences) and certificates of approval to the people who do the work. An individual licence applicant, or at least one officer of a company, must show training and at least 12 months' experience in the last five years. Employees need a certificate of approval and must show the training or skills for the work, or be receiving on-the-job training.

Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority (PSPLA), Ministry of Justice, under Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Act 2010.

At least 18.

Licence: 12 months' experience in the last 5 years (one company officer for a company licence)

Licences and certificates of approval expire 5 years from issue (ss. 36 and 56 of the Act); renew online or by mail, and the licence stays in force while a renewal made before expiry is decided

Individual licence NZD 800 online or NZD 818 by mail; company licence NZD 967 online or NZD 989 by mail; certificate of approval NZD 267 online or NZD 273 by mail

Usually 7 or 8 weeks; longer if someone objects or eligibility is unclear (PSPLA)

1. Decide whether you need a licence (running an investigation business) or a certificate of approval (working for a licensed business) 2. Check eligibility: 18 or over, no disqualifying convictions in the last 7 years, and for a licence 12 months' experience in the last 5 years 3. Gather a passport-style photo, ID and proof of training or skills for the private investigator class 4. Apply and pay online with the PSPLA (cheaper than mail); company licences need a company officer form from each director or CEO 5. Track the application on the public register while police checks and the public objection period run

No visiting permit. Investigators registered in Australia can apply under trans-Tasman mutual recognition (by mail) but cannot start work until the application is accepted and the ID badge issued.

Trans-Tasman mutual recognition applications are accepted by mail.

New Zealand is a one-party consent country: you can generally record a conversation you are part of without telling the others.