Naively, my husband and I were going to contact the police after two detectives visited our property and left a business card asking us to call them regarding serious sexual allegations related to our son. This eventually evolved into allegations involving two females who had made what we knew were false complaints against our son. Thankfully, we were advised not to speak with the police until we had sought legal advice.
That advice led us to a very experienced lawyer who, after speaking with us, also recommended involving a private investigator. At first, I thought this sounded extreme, as I believed we should simply let justice prevail, knowing our son hadn’t done anything wrong. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
We met with the lawyer and Mike Sabin. We discussed the situation and formed a plan. Mike then carried out incredibly thorough investigations into both complaints, interviewing everyone present at the time of the allegation. With his police background, he knew exactly how to ask the right questions, gather vital evidence, and prepare a report that aligned with police processes. Most importantly, he gained the trust and cooperation of everyone he interviewed. Sadly, this level of diligence should have been the role of the police, but it wasn’t.
Mike never overstepped his boundaries and worked strictly under the lawyer’s direction. Two years later, we have had the best possible outcome for our son, and police have not proceeded with either prosecution. This is an outcome I am confident would not have been achieved without Mike’s investigations into what actually happened, as opposed to relying solely on the police to investigate it.
I got charged with very serious crimes I didn't commit. It blew my world apart. My case was one where the police had only interviewed select witnesses to suit what they thought.
We got Mike from Private Investigations Northland involved and with his years of experience he made all the difference. Through his investigations he saw things and found evidence in the case that my lawyer hadn't, in fact two key pieces of evidence were all his doing. As a result it took the jury less than 15 minutes to acquit and enable me to get my life back.
He is a man who will logically see the evidence in a case and who goes beyond the clock to do all he can to help out. You are more than just a case to him.
Mike Sabin has been such a God send for me and my family and we are incredibly grateful to him for his hard work and expertise that made all the difference for us.
I was falsely accused of a serious crime, which turned mine and my family's lives upside down. Thankfully, Mike became involved in investigating my case. He listened to our side of the story and was immediately able to get to the heart of the matter, identifying what key pieces of evidence we would need to clear my name.
He tracked down witnesses that the police had ignored and was even able to uncover evidence that had been buried. In times like this, it is so good to just have someone willing to hear your side, who can communicate clearly with you about what to expect, and able to guide you through the process.
Were it not for all of Mike's hard work and expertise, I am certain I would not have had the not guilty verdict that was returned.
I highly recommend Mike if you ever find yourself accused of something you didn't do. He really does care about justice and he will work hard to uncover all evidence of your innocence.
Mike Sabin from Private Investigations Northland is the best PI ever! His ability to connect with witnesses and obtain complete, honest and forthright sworn statements which are highly convincing to a court, is extraordinary. In less than 2 weeks he obtained a half dozen sworn statements that led to dismissal of criminal charges that had been pending for over a year. My only regret is that I did not hire PI Sabin sooner.
Anyone who has been wrongly charged should not rely on the police to conduct a proper investigation, but rather needs to immediately hire PI Sabin.
We instructed Private Investigations Northland through a highly regarded lawyer in Auckland after a family member was falsely accused of serious crimes. It was clear that for a very serious matter people with specialist skills were required and that's why we employed Mike. We found him to be analytical and thorough.
He pulled pieces of the puzzle together in a manner that is truly reflective of a well-seasoned and experienced practitioner who understands law and what needs to be done. He came with an open mind, worked smartly, effectively and very efficiently to compile every piece of evidence for our matter, within two weeks. He was very organised and communicated well, always being available to walk us through every step of the way. We relied heavily on his knowledge.
People don't realise how emotional and financially draining a false allegation can be. At the end of the day, only truth matters and we had one shot to prove the truth and prevent charge. All information has to be presented very concisely and accurately with supporting facts. We were very fortunate to have Mike walk this journey with us. He was proactive, showed empathy, critical thinking, optimism, adaptability and resilience. Mike's integrity, knowledge and experience inspired trust and created respect and openness with witnesses and with us.
He managed and nurtured the relationships with witnesses and our family, as relationships matter long term. Mike worked behind the scenes independently and autonomously, solved problems, used good judgement and made decisions that counted. He ultimately provided advice and found the evidence that mattered to prevent police charging. We highly recommend Private Investigations Northland and Mike.
Just over 2yrs ago we received heartbreaking news from the police that my 22yr old son had passed away. They told me it was suicide. That was absolutely heartbreaking. We were in total shock at his death and could not believe it let alone accept that it was suicide. The police were adamant that it was.
So we hired private investigator Mike Sabin. In no time at all he had interviewed witnesses and investigated all that he needed to be satisfied that it indeed wasn't suicide. His investigation established it was in fact accidental and showed that the police had made assumptions and conclusions that were not supported in evidence. It was a huge relief for our family to have answers to the many questions we had about how he died.
As a result of Mike's findings his report was sent to the Coroner who subsequently concluded and reported that it was in fact an accidental death.
Our family are so grateful to Investigator Mike Sabin for getting to the truth. We would highly recommend anyone in a situation like ours to reach out to Mike. He is so professional and caring. He goes above and beyond to do his job.
Mike Sabin of P.I. Northland changed my son's life. Charged with a crime he did not commit, Mr. Sabin was able to obtain statements from connected parties that resulted in the dismissal of charges prior to trial. When the police refused to investigate solid challenges to the charges, Mr. Sabin worked his magic quickly, efficiently and effectively. He possesses extraordinary talents when it comes to understanding how to work with and listen to people. Mr. Sabin is smart, skillful and patient. It is not an exaggeration to say that we were so thankful to have hired PI Northland and so appreciate his great work. I encourage anyone needing these services to enlist Mike Sabin on your team today.
I was charged with the attempted murder of a close family member. I hadn’t done what the police alleged. It was the most devastating experience of my life and I felt no-one was listening to me and I was confused angry at why this was happening.
Mike and one of his team took on my case and for the first time I felt what had really happened would be revealed. They investigated my case tirelessly and with such commitment to facts and the truth. Right up until the end of the trial they were working so hard to expose the holes in the police case and show what the facts actually were.
I am convinced that my acquittal was due to the work Private Investigations Northland did, working closely with my lawyers. I feel Mike and his team were so professional and acted with such heart and compassion. They understood and helped me, as well as found the evidence to get the result I so wished for. Life changing people who care.
When our teenage son was charged with a serious offence, we were blindsided and terrified. We had no experience with the court system and were completely at sea in terms of knowing how to navigate the next two years while he awaited trial.
We didn’t know what evidence would be relevant, and where to go with our questions. We are deeply grateful that our lawyer works closely with Mike Sabin and brought Mike on board straightaway. From early on, Mike and his team supported us in gathering important evidence and provided information on what to expect at each stage of the journey.
Even during the times when we felt so helpless, we could reach out and feel reassured that we were in safe hands and that someone believed our boy. As the trial approached, Mike worked closely and tirelessly with our son and each of his witnesses to prepare us thoroughly. Mike is calm, detail-oriented, extremely thorough, and professional.
Mike’s experience and strong working relationship with our lawyer enabled our son’s defence team to present a strong, fact-based case. This led to a very swift decision by the jury to acquit, allowing our son and our family to move on with our lives. We can’t thank and recommend PI Mike Sabin and his team enough. As our son says,
“Mike, your hard work, support and motivation through this challenging time has been what I needed to get through it, so thank you”
My partner and I were victims of a vicious, unprovoked attack at a venue in town. My partner was brutally assaulted and although the entire incident was caught on CCTV, we faced significant challenges in our pursuit of justice. With little knowledge of the criminal justice system and nowhere else to turn, reaching out to Mike was the best decision I could have made.
Mike's expertise, ethical approach, and logical thinking were exactly what we needed. He was able to quickly clarify the circumstances surrounding the attack and worked tirelessly to gather the relevant documents and official statements and evidence. He guided us through the process of obtaining the CCTV footage and acted as a crucial mediator between us and the police.
What truly sets Mike apart, however, is his kindness, compassion, and unwavering empathy. He didn’t do any of this for personal gain—he did it all out of the kindness of his heart. We offered him payment, or koha, as a token of our appreciation for his hard work, but he graciously declined, insisting that he was just doing what needed to be done. His genuine concern for our well-being made all the difference during this incredibly difficult time.
Thanks to Mike’s dedication, he was able to compile all the evidence into a comprehensive, organised package and deliver it to the police, giving them everything they needed to proceed with the case. His support throughout this journey was invaluable, and I cannot recommend him highly enough for anyone seeking professional investigative services.
As a senior criminal defence barrister, quality investigative work has been a critical component of my advocacy for clients in court. I have worked extensively with Mike Sabin for over 10 years, across hundreds of cases and trials. He and his excellent team of private investigators have been instrumental in helping achieve great results and many acquittals that would not have been achievable without their contribution.
What sets CDINZ apart is the depth of legal and strategic understanding they bring to every case. They are quality investigators but also think like lawyers which is very helpful when developing strategies for trial. With CDINZ managing the investigation pipeline and evidence gathering, I am completely free to give the maximum focus on court advocacy, knowing the preparation is thorough and the evidence keeps
flowing.
If you are a criminal defence barrister looking to improve outcomes for clients, I cannot recommend CDINZ highly enough. Mike and his team are not just proficient investigators and evidence gatherers, they are an extension of your legal team.
Senior Criminal Defence Barrister, Partner at Thomson Wilson Law, Whangarei
Mike Sabin’s private investigator team has proven many times to be of huge value to my clients.
At the outset they do an excellent analysis of the police evidence and investigation, recognising weaknesses and opportunities.
They are outstanding at identifying avenues of inquiry for the defence. They are adept at locating witnesses and obtaining evidence to build the defence case.
The thing I value the most is their team approach to the defence case. In a positive professional way, they will work with the lawyer, the client, their family and witnesses to ensure the defence case is presented to the Court in the best way possible.
I have no doubt Mike Sabin’s team has been instrumental in achieving success for my clients.
Managing Director WRMK Lawyers, Whangarei
I have been practising law for over 40 years with a focus on criminal litigation. In the course of my practice, I have come to appreciate the necessity of competent, timely investigative work that lawyers are not equipped to undertake.
Mike Sabin and his colleagues have been an invaluable aid to me over a number of years, and I value them as an indispensable resource. Without hesitation, I would commend them to any of my litigation colleagues. Their services are timely and reasonably priced, and their reports are comprehensive. Their professional insight into witness viability has also proven to be accurate and significant.
Director Hine Eagle Barristers & Solicitors, Tauranga
I have worked closely with Mike Sabin and his team for several years on countless files and trials. The investigative work that CDINZ does has always been to the highest standard, done promptly, and has often resulted in the discovery of the evidential key to many cases.
Knowing that the investigative work is being done thoroughly by CDINZ gives me the ability to focus on what I need to as Counsel, safe in the knowledge that no stone is going unturned in the background.
That investigative heavy lifting being done by CDINZ, accompanied by regular reporting back to me, allows me to work through more trials and cases than would be otherwise possible. This then flows seamlessly into the conduct of trials themselves, with Mr Sabin working intensely together with me and my clients to help deliver the best possible case.
I cannot recommend Mike Sabin and his team highly enough.
Barrister, Senior Associate, Thomson Wilson Law
I highly recommend Mike Sabin and his team for any investigations you may require. Mike’s team communicates clearly, is highly responsive, and consistently delivers on what is asked of them in a timely and professional manner.
I engaged Mike to work through a substantial and complex body of disclosure for a client. His team approached the task with care and attention to detail, identifying gaps in the material and providing valuable insight into what may still be outstanding, including documents and information likely held by the Police but not yet disclosed. Their analysis was thorough, well-structured, and genuinely assisted me in forming a clearer picture of the evidential landscape.
I would not hesitate to instruct Mike and his team again and confidently recommend their services to others requiring diligent, reliable investigative support.
Lawyer, Bloem Law, Northshore, Auckland
Mike and his team have helped me on many occasions and their work has always been of a high standard, and of a comprehensive nature.
In one case, Mike was instrumental in developing the (successful) defence while traversing reems of police disclosure and identifying the many omissions and deficiencies.
Mike and his team are more than investigators – they really understand the issues at a trial and how to best combat them.
Senior criminal defence barrister, Hamlin Law, Auckland
Mike and his team are highly professional, having had extensive experience in criminal law.
They can be relied upon to undertake investigative work in a timely manner and provide comprehensive reports along with detailed statements from the client and potential witnesses.
They also marshal the witnesses at court to ensure they are where they are needed and when and are properly briefed prior to giving evidence and ensure that any exhibits that are required for the defence case are compiled and prepared prior to trial.
Senior Barrister, Tauranga
We work with clients and legal counsel across New Zealand, delivering detailed, evidence-led investigations wherever they are needed.
