A Newshub investigation has found Christchurch earthquake victims trying to settle insurance claims with the Government were spied on by private investigators, in operations paid for by the taxpayer.

The investigation today forced the Government to act, opening an inquiry into its insurance company, Southern Response.

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The operation, running from February 2014 to April 2017, cost $177,349 of taxpayers’ money. It’s not known how many people were spied on, but hundreds of people were involved in protests following the Christchurch quakes.

Cam Preston, a father, chartered accountant, and victim of the Christchurch earthquake, was also deemed a “threat” who needed to be monitored.

Mr Preston was one of the main targets of an operation set up by Southern Response using “protection agency” Thompson and Clark Investigations.

The security firm’s ‘security risk management proposal’ warns of “the threat of a sustained, directed campaign by issue-motivated groups and individuals of either legal or illegal nature.”

It says it provides what’s called “an on-going real-time situational awareness”.

“This approach has proved the best rewards for our clients and allowed them to keep a ‘rod in the water’.”

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