A planned joint inquest into the deaths of eight forestry workers will now focus on just two, due to ongoing and threatened legal actions.
The inquests were due to be heard in Rotorua next week, followed by another week of submissions on safety issues from forestry stakeholders.
Lawyer Fletcher Pilditch, who is helping Rotorua coroner Dr Wallace Bain, told the Rotorua Daily Post last night six of the eight will be opened and immediately adjourned. The second week had also been postponed.
Mr Pilditch said private prosecutions against the employers of four workers were being sought by either the CTU or families.
The CTU has sought leave to launch private prosecutions against the employers of Eramiha Pairama and Tokoroa's Charles Finlay. Those applications are expected to be heard in the Rotorua District Court on Friday. Solicitors in respect of David McMurturie and George Mahanga had told the coroner they intended to do the same, Mr Pilditch said.