Coroners Act 2006

Inquiries into causes and circumstances of deaths - Inquests

84: Joint inquests

You could also call this:

"When a coroner looks into two or more deaths from the same incident, they can hold one inquest for all of them."

You are a coroner and you start two or more separate inquiries about two or more deaths. These deaths happen because of the same incident or series of incidents. You can decide to hold one inquest for all these inquiries if you think it is a good idea. You hold a joint inquest in the same way as any other inquest. The coroner must consider any relevant practice notes issued by the chief coroner under section 132. This helps the coroner make decisions during the inquest. When you hold a joint inquest, you follow the same rules as other inquests. You just need to think about the practice notes from the chief coroner. This makes sure the inquest is fair and follows the rules.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM377827.

This page was last updated on 5 February 2026 — View changes

Topics:

Crime and justice > Victim supportCrime and justice > Courts and legal helpHealth and wellbeing > Public health

83: Specialist advisers to sit with and help coroners, or

"Coroners can get help from specialist advisers during an inquest"

85: Inquests usually to be public, or

"Inquests are usually open to the public."

Part 3Inquiries into causes and circumstances of deaths
Inquests

84Joint inquests

This subsection applies to a coroner who opens 2 or more separate inquiries relating to 2 or more deaths arising out of the same incident or series of incidents.
A coroner to whom subsection (1) applies may, if he or she thinks fit to do so, decide to hold a single inquest for the purposes of the separate inquiries referred to in that subsection.
A joint inquest held in accordance with a decision under subsection (2) is conducted in the same way as any other inquest, except that in holding the inquest the coroner must have regard to any relevant practice notes issued under section 132 by the chief coroner.