Kawerau homicide inquiry: Coroner’s order means woman and man cannot be named yet
A woman found dead with traumatic injuries in a Kawerau bedroom and a man connected to the case cannot be named yet.
A coroner has issued an interim non-publication order at the request of police, who say they are worried publication could hamper their investigation.
Police launched a homicide investigation after the woman’s body was found at a Kawerau property just before 11.30pm on October 25.
The discovery followed a crash involving a car and train at a private level crossing on Te Puke Highway in Paengaroa shortly after 9pm the same day.
The car’s only occupant was flown to Waikato Hospital, where he remained in a critical condition this week.
Police said the woman’s body was found as part of the investigation into the crash and they were working to determine the circumstances. The two scenes are 52km apart.
Coroner Bruce Hesketh issued a ruling on Tuesday that said the woman was found dead in a bedroom with traumatic injuries to her head and face.
Police were yet to speak to the man involved in the crash because he remained in a critical condition. Other potential witnesses were also yet to be spoken to.
The ruling said police applied for interim non-publication of the names and details that would identify them because they were at an early stage of their investigation.
Police argued any public interest in knowing the identity of either was outweighed by the overriding interest in ensuring the police investigation was not hampered.
Coroner Hesketh said freedom of speech, open judicial proceedings and the media’s right to report were important. He said the media played an important role in Coroners Court.
However, he said police should be unhampered from unwarranted speculation caused by publication of the names in the interests of justice.
He said police were in the early stages of their investigation and witnesses were still being sought.
The non-publication order remains in place until 5pm on Monday next week.
Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 30 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.