Referring a death to the coroner

In general, the medical practitioner or nurse practitioner attending a patient during their final illness completes a medical certificate of cause of death. There are occasions, however, when the health practitioner is required to report a death to the coroner.

A death are referred to the coroner in accordance with the Coroners Act 2006, section 14.

Criteria for referring

Refer to the coroner when the death:

• appears to be without known cause, self-inflicted, unnatural or violent
• occurred during, or appears to have been the result of, a medical procedure and was medically unexpected
• occurred while the person was affected by an anaesthetic and was medically unexpected
• occurred while a woman was giving birth, or that appears to have been the result of her being pregnant or giving birth
• occurred in official custody or care (including being subject to mental health legislation)
• as the doctor or nurse practitioner, you are not prepared to issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death under section 46B or 46C of the Burial and Cremation Act 1964.

For more information:

To discuss a death with the National Duty Coroner:

• phone 0800 266 800 

• email NIIO@justice.govt.nz 

Read more on the Coronial Services of New Zeland Purongo O te Ao Kakaauri website.