A single unwanted message may be unpleasant. A repeated pattern of monitoring, contact, intimidation or appearing at places you frequent can create a very different and more serious picture. Stalking evidence requirements are not about producing a perfect case file while you are frightened or exhausted. They are about preserving clear, lawful information that shows what has occurred, when it occurred, who was involved and how the behaviour has affected your safety.
If you believe there is an immediate risk to you or someone else, call 111. Do not wait to collect more evidence, meet the person to seek an explanation or place yourself at further risk. Evidence can assist police and legal advisers, but immediate safety comes first.
What stalking evidence needs to show
There is no single checklist that automatically proves stalking. Police, lawyers and the courts assess the full circumstances, including the pattern, frequency, context and impact of the conduct. A repeated course of unwanted behaviour is often more revealing than any one incident.
Useful evidence generally helps establish four things: the conduct occurred, it was directed at you or connected to you, it was unwanted or caused reasonable concern, and it was repeated or formed part of a wider pattern. The conduct may be physical, digital or a combination of both. It can include repeated calls, messages, social media contact, following, turning up at your home or workplace, contact through other people, unwanted gifts, property interference or online impersonation.
Context matters. A message that appears harmless in isolation may take on a different meaning when it follows repeated contact, threats, surveillance or a clear request to stop. Equally, an allegation is stronger when records are accurate, complete and preserved in their original form rather than selectively edited.
Stalking evidence requirements: start a clear incident log
The most practical first step is to keep an incident log. Record each event as soon as it is safe to do so, using factual language rather than assumptions. Write the date, time, location, what happened, what was said or done, anyone who saw it, and how it affected you.
For example, rather than writing, “He was trying to scare me”, record: “At 7.15 pm on Tuesday, a grey vehicle stopped outside my address for approximately 12 minutes. I saw [name] in the driver’s seat. He left after I called a neighbour. My neighbour, [name], saw the vehicle.” Your feelings and concerns still matter, so add a separate note about the impact: “I did not feel safe leaving the house and stayed with family that night.”
Consistency is valuable. A simple chronological record can help identify escalation, repeated locations, changes in method and links between online and in-person conduct. It also gives police or a legal adviser a reliable starting point when events have occurred over weeks or months.
Preserve digital material without altering it
Digital contact is often central to a stalking complaint, yet it can be easily lost. Messages may be deleted, accounts deactivated and posts changed. Preserve the original material wherever possible.
Take screenshots that show the sender’s profile or number, the full message, date and time. Where practical, make a screen recording that shows the account or message thread in context. Save voicemail files, emails, direct messages, call logs and photographs to a secure location that the other person cannot access. Keep the original device and avoid deleting the content once it has been recorded.
Do not crop, annotate or edit the only copy of a screenshot. If you wish to highlight something for your own reference, retain the untouched original and create a separate working copy. Note the account name, URL or platform identifier in your incident log, as display names can change.
If you suspect your mobile, email or social media account has been accessed, prioritise security. Change passwords from a safe device, enable multi-factor authentication and review account recovery details, location sharing and logged-in devices. Avoid installing monitoring applications or attempting to access the other person’s accounts. Doing so may be unsafe and unlawful, and can complicate an investigation.
Obtain independent evidence where it exists
Independent information can corroborate your account and reduce reliance on memory alone. This may include CCTV, dashcam footage, building access records, workplace incident reports, delivery records, vehicle registration details observed by a witness, or communications received by family members, colleagues or neighbours.
Act quickly. Many CCTV systems automatically overwrite footage after a short period. If an incident occurs at a shop, workplace, apartment building or public facility, ask the manager or security provider to preserve relevant footage. They may not release it directly to you, but they can retain it for police or legal processes. Record who you spoke with, when you made the request and the relevant time window.
Witnesses should write down their own recollection promptly in their own words. Do not coach them or ask them to guess. A short, independent account that confirms a vehicle, location, conversation or repeated appearance may be highly useful.
Report concerns early, not only after escalation
Reporting early creates an official record and enables safety advice before conduct becomes more serious. Contact Police through 105 for non-emergency reporting, or attend a station if you feel able. Bring your incident log and a clear selection of key material rather than hundreds of unorganised screenshots. Explain the pattern, the most recent incident, any escalation and why you are concerned for your safety.
Police may assess whether criminal offending is disclosed and what immediate measures are appropriate. The legal options available depend on the facts, the relationship between the parties, prior conduct and the level of risk. In some circumstances, protection order options, harassment-related processes, family violence support or other legal remedies may be relevant. A lawyer or specialist support service can advise on the pathway that fits your situation.
If an order, police safety direction or bail condition is in place, record any suspected breach separately and report it promptly. Include the exact wording or conduct involved, the time and place, and any supporting material. Do not respond simply to create more evidence. Your safety plan should guide whether you block contact, change routines, arrange support or seek a safe place to stay.
Keep collection lawful and proportionate
Strong evidence is collected lawfully. Do not trespass, secretly install tracking devices, intercept communications, access accounts without permission or encourage another person to provoke contact. These actions can expose you to risk and may affect how information can be used.
A professional investigator can assist with lawful evidence gathering, chronology preparation, witness enquiries and discreet surveillance where appropriate. The scope should be clearly defined, risk assessed and conducted within New Zealand law. For sensitive assignments, The Neill Group applies a disciplined, confidential approach to evidence and reporting, with the aim of providing usable information without escalating the situation.
Organise information for action
When you need to provide material to Police, a lawyer or another authorised professional, make it easy to understand. Keep a folder containing your incident log, original digital files, screenshots, witness details and any reference numbers from previous reports. Use filenames that identify the date and incident, such as “2026-09-10_2115_unwanted-message”.
Avoid sending every item repeatedly across multiple channels. Instead, retain the complete record and prepare a short chronology that identifies the clearest incidents, any threats, the latest event and the evidence available for each. This approach is more effective than a large volume of material with no sequence or explanation.
You do not have to manage this alone. The strongest response is usually calm, prompt and carefully documented: get to safety, preserve what exists, report the pattern, and obtain professional support that matches the level of risk.