A Northland coroner based in Whangarei will be among 14 fulltime, legally qualified coroners hearing inquests under a new coronial structure due to start operating from July next year.
Northland list MP Shane Jones said a fulltime Northland coroner's position had been confirmed after earlier doubts there may
not have been a sufficient workload within the region.
The Whangarei-based coroner, who, like all others under the new system has not yet been appointed, will also hold hearings and inquests in smaller Northland towns.
"This appointment will be valued, particularly by the Maori community given the importance of the coroner in relation to tangihanga [death-related procedure and protocol]," Mr Jones said.
The position should be filled by someone familiar with Northland Maori and the significance of tangihanga.
In some parts of Northland, especially in the Far North, Maori make up more than 75 per cent of the population.
The new coronial structure will replace the system of 55 mainly part-time coroners and will create the new position of chief coroner. The changes follow recommendations made by the Law Commission four years ago.
The new coroners will be based in nine cities. Applicants for the new posts must have served for at least five years as practising solicitors.
Mr Jones said the chief coroner's appointment was expected to be announced by March next year.
Changes
* The new structure will replace the existing system of 55 mainly part-time coroners.
* A new position of chief coroner will be created.
* 14 coroners will be based in nine cities - Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Napier, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
