The inquest into the death of North Shore teenager Christie Marceau opened on Monday - but while issues of her killer being granted bail are being well-canvassed, the judge who made that decision will not be giving evidence.
Christie, 18, was stabbed to death in her home by Akshay Chand in November 2011.
Chand, also 18, was on bail at the time and was facing charges of kidnapping, threatening and assaulting Christie two months earlier.
He was initially denied bail but, despite "vigorous" opposition from police and Christie herself, Judge David McNaughton released Chand from custody on October 5, 2011.
Just 33 days later Chand ignored all of his bail conditions, left his home and walked the two-minute distance to the Marceaus' property.
There, Chand fatally attacked Christie.
The teenager died in her mother's arms.
The inquest is set to run for 11 days before Coroner Katharine Greig, who has indicated she will make several recommendations after hearing evidence from 23 witnesses.
Witnesses include Christie's parents, Brian and Tracey Marceau, police who investigated the kidnapping and murder, members of Chand's family, mental health staff involved with his case and treatment and his lawyer, Mary-Anne Lowe.
McNaughton will not give evidence, nor will Judge Barbara Morris, who presided over Chand's initial appearances.
That is because judges do not have to explain or justify their decisions.
"For a judge to make fair decisions, he or she must be independent," the District Courts of New Zealand website states.
"This is often depicted in the metaphor of 'blind justice' - a judge's decision must not be influenced by anything other than the law and the arguments presented in court.
To ensure judges are independent, New Zealand's laws and constitution provide judges with some protections.
"For example, no government minister or judge can dismiss another judge, or control their salary," the district court website explained.
"This ensures that a judge cannot be manipulated by any other person."
The protections extend to coronial inquests.
On the first day of the inquest Greig said she did not have the jurisdiction to review McNaughton's decision - and she would not be doing so.
She said it was "not appropriate for the inquest to encroach on judicial process".
However, she may make recommendations in relation to that process.
Greig said the point of the inquest was:
• to look at the administrative process at the North Shore District Court in the lead-up to Chand being bailed
• to canvass the police bail checking processes and protocols and whether they were adequate
• to establish Chand's mental health before Christie's death
• and to ascertain what information McNaughton had available to him when he made the bail decision
While judges' decisions are exempt from explanation outside the courtroom, complaints can be made against their conduct.
These complaints are reviewed by the Judicial Conduct Commissioner, who is not a member of the Judiciary.
"It is sometimes said that judicial independence and judicial accountability are in conflict with one another,' the district court website explained.
"Ultimately, however, they both serve the same purpose: to provide confidence to the public that every person in the district court receives a fair hearing."
The inquest - who's who?
• Coroner Katharine Greig - presiding over the inquest.
Counsel assisting the coroner, Hanne Janes.
•Tracey and Brian Marceau - Christie's parents.
Their lawyers, Nikki Pender and Pam McMillan.
• The police who worked on the kidnapping and murder cases - including Detective Sergeant James Watson.
Their lawyer Aaron Perkins, QC, who worked as a Crown Prosecutor on Chand's murder charge, on which he was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
•The police prosecutors, Adam Pell and Sergeant Rhona Stace and and Detective Aaron Iremonger.
Their lawyer, Todd Simmonds.
• North Shore District Court staff, including court services manager Carl Lewen and victim adviser Andrea Swager.
Their lawyers, Julian Miles QC and Alison Todd.
• Waitemata District Health board staff, including Mason Clinic forensic psychiatrist
Dr Ian Goodwin, forensic court liaison and mental health nurses.
Their lawyer, Adam Ross.
• Dr Ajay Makal, Chand's GP.
His lawyer, Bill Manning.
• David Howes, team leader of electronically monitored bail for the Department of Corrections.
His lawyer, Mercia Reddy.
• Chand's mother Suchita, sister Shayal and aunt Amita William.
Their lawyer, Alex Witten-Hannah.
• Mary-Anne Lowe, Chand's defence counsel.
Her lawyer, Stuart Grieve, QC.
• The court will also hear from forensic psychiatrist Professor Graham Mellsop, who will act as an expert witness for Greig.
Mellsop also gave evidence for the Crown at Chand's High Court insanity hearing.
• Jeremy Skipworth, clinical director for the regional forensic psychiatry service and the clinical director of the Mason Clinic, where Chand is a special patient.
He is also represented by Adam Ross.