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- The early stages
Overview
In the first few days after your family or whānau member’s death, you may be contacted by Coroners Court staff, police, or both. They will talk with you, your family and whānau as part of the coronial process. This page explains the early stages of the coronial process, who may contact you, and how you can be kept informed.
Coronial process
The video below explains the early stages of the coronial process when your loved one’s death has been referred to the coroner.
Who can help
The coronial process can be hard to understand, especially in the first few days after a loved one has died.
The National Initial Investigation Office, also called NIIO, can explain what is happening and keep you updated about the next steps. A NIIO co-ordinator may contact you on behalf of the duty coroner.
If the death is being treated as a suspected homicide, police will usually be your main point of contact instead of NIIO.
You can contact NIIO if:
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you need to update your contact details
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you want someone else to represent your family and whānau
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you have cultural, spiritual or tikanga needs you want the coroner to know about
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you have questions about what is happening in the early stages.
You can contact NIIO by:
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Phone: 0800 266 800
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Email: niio@justice.govt.nz
What happens during a postmortem
To understand how your loved one died, the duty coroner may decide that a post-mortem examination be done. This is also known as an autopsy.
You can view or be near your loved one at the mortuary or local facility if there are appropriate facilities and the coroner says it’s OK.
Please advise NIIO if you object to a post-mortem.
Read more about what happens during a post-mortem:
What happens during a post-mortem | Coroners Court(external link)