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September 05, 2022
Coroner’s Act reform chance to speed up process
Peter Verschaffelt
Posted On September 5, 2022
Download AudioThe Minister responsible for the Courts says changes to the Coroners Act will make it more sympathetic to cultural differences.
The Coroners Amendment Bill has its first reading in parliament last week.
Aupito William Sio says different cultures have different ways of looking after their dead, and the changes take into account tikanga Maori, Pasifika practices and those of different faiths.
They will also put additional resources into the sector to speed up the process.
“We’re adding a special role called associate coroners who will perform most of the functions and powers and duties of coroners and release the tension and the pressure and the clogging up of the system so coroners can focus on the more serious deaths where they conduct inquiries and an inquest,” Mr Sio says.
Submissions are now being sought by the Justice select committee.
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