Brook Ballantyne - Director & Investigator
With over 17 years of experience in the private investigation industry, I have built a career in fraud and theft investigations, surveillance operations, tracing, and desktop intelligence, working with insurance companies, government agencies, corporate organisations, and private clients.
Working alongside former police and military personnel, and supported by strong connections to law enforcement, I have developed a comprehensive investigative skill set that extends across New Zealand and international cases.
I specialise in insurance fraud investigations and complex case analysis, with a focus on direct claim investigations, pattern identification, and delivering actionable intelligence.
My work spans from uncovering organised fraud syndicates to handling sensitive cases involving serious injury and sudden death. I bring a comprehensive approach to investigations, combining desktop intelligence reports, covert physical and digital surveillance, physical and digital forensics, and detailed factual inquiries.
I take a methodical, thorough, and technology-driven approach to investigations, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and results. Whether conducting surveillance, analysing financial records, or developing fraud prevention strategies, I provide clear, evidence-based insights to my clients, and I take pride in knowing that my investigative work has not only led to successful prosecutions but also played a key role in protecting assets and reducing financial losses for my clients.
Key Areas of Expertise:
Fraud & Theft Investigations:
Conducting in-depth inquiries into a wide range of insurance claims, organised fraud networks, and liability disputes.
Investigative Interviewing:
Extracting critical intelligence through refined questioning techniques and witness interviews.
Digital Media Forensics & OCR Technology:
Utilising advanced tools to analyse digital evidence, authenticate documents, and detect inconsistencies in claims.
Surveillance & Covert Operations:
Planning, executing, and managing surveillance operations for government, corporate, and private clients. This includes the use of physical resources, desktop intelligence reports, covert cameras, GPS tracking, and digital forensics.
Report Writing & Legal Documentation:
Producing court-admissible reports and investigative summaries that inform decision-making at the highest levels.
Skip Tracing & Locating Individuals:
Expertise in tracing debtors, estate beneficiaries, third parties, and lost family members, both domestically and internationally.
Memberships and Certifications
NZIPI (New Zealand Institute of Private Investigators)
NZIPI is regarded by many as the official “Industry Body” for licensed Private Investigators in New Zealand including government agencies and the PSPLA (Ministry of Justice).
Current members of the NZIPI must adhere to the highest professional standards and the Code of Professional and Ethical Conduct and be approved as a peer by all current members prior to membership acceptance.
As a member of the NZIPI, I pride myself on delivering a high standard of professional investigation services.
World Association of Detectives
As a member of the World Association of Detectives, I uphold the highest ethical standards in private investigation and provide my fellow WAD Investigators with quality information they can trust.
Association of Internet Research Specialists (AOFIRS)
Certified Internet Research Specialist (CIRS) is a professional certification from the Association of Internet Research Specialists (AOFIRS) designed to formally train and educate online researchers by covering topics like internet technology, research methods, ethics, business applications, and legal aspects of online research.
Other
Certifications include general insurance fraud detection and vulnerability handling. Additionally, the I am trained in the General Insurance Code of Practice (GICOP), ensuring that all investigations are conducted with integrity, fairness, and in alignment with industry standards.
