Belinda FeekOpen Justice multimedia journalist, Waikato·NZ Herald·24 Aug, 2026 05:04 AM4 mins to read‌Waikato and Bay of Plenty coroners gathered to celebrate the opening of the new Coroner's Court in Hamilton on Monday. Chief Coroner, Judge Anna Tutton (top left) led proceedings. She is pictured with Coroners Louella Dunne, and Matthew Bates, and (front row, from left) Coroners Donna Llewell and Bruce Hesketh. Photo / Belinda FeekAs the country’s coroners make their way through the current backlog of files, thankfully there are 807 fewer cases than a year ago, and that easing is set to continue with the opening of specialist premises in Hamilton.

For the past 19 years, the city’s coroners have operated out of