A young woman who died minutes after having life support withdrawn had irreversible brain damage and could not have survived, says Northland District Health Board.
The coroner is investigating the June 10 death of 20-year old Rachal Cleaver and her newborn baby, who both died the day after Ms Cleaver suffered cardiac arrest during a severe asthma attack. The oxygen-deprived baby, delivered via caesarean while Ms Cleaver was on life support, died soon after birth.
Northland police have confirmed they are investigating a separate matter related to Ms Cleaver's family. Ms Cleaver's father Stephen Cleaver is a self-styled prophet, who claims to hear the word of God. He and his wife Carla believe their daughter was "murdered" as part of a government plot.
Northland health board's chief medical officer Mike Roberts said the best clinical decisions had been made by intensive care specialists and Ms Cleaver's parents were informed at each stage of their daughter's care.
Dr Roberts said Ms Cleaver had suffered irreversible brain damage and her death had been inevitable.
The case initially came under scrutiny after a lawyer acting for Ms Cleaver's parents was unsuccessful in delaying the termination of her life support.
Barrister and lawyer Simon Reeves said intensive care staff told him he was not on the New Zealand register of lawyers. Despite his leaving contact details, he never heard back from anyone. The coroner's investigation will examine Mr Reeves' claims.
Ms Cleaver had lived in the care of the Dingwall Trust, a care and protection facility in South Auckland, from 9 until she turned 17, when she returned to live at her parents' rented rural property.
Police have declined to comment on details of their investigation related to her family, so as to not compromise their investigation.