NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / New Zealand

Remuera death: Husband Philip Polkinghorne faces review by ‘concerned’ colleagues

By Carolyne Meng-Yee
Investigative reporter·Herald on Sunday·
22 May, 2021 08:00 AM4 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Six weeks on from the unexplained death of Pauline Hanna, left, her husband Philip Polkinghorne, right, faces a review of his eye surgeon work by his colleagues. Photo / File

Six weeks on from the unexplained death of Pauline Hanna, left, her husband Philip Polkinghorne, right, faces a review of his eye surgeon work by his colleagues. Photo / File

A prominent eye surgeon whose wife died in “unexplained” circumstances at their $4 million Remuera home is now facing a review by his colleagues.

Auckland Eye said it was “concerned” by information published by the New Zealand Herald earlier this week that traces of methamphetamine had been found during a police search of the home in the upmarket Auckland home which Philip Polkinghorne shared with his wife of almost 30 years, Pauline Hanna.

Auckland Eye also confirmed that Polkinghorne has also resigned from its board.

Hanna, 63, was found dead at the home on Easter Monday.

Almost six weeks on, police are still treating the death as "unexplained".

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"We were concerned about the information published recently in the New Zealand Herald. We have structured clinical review processes in place to ensure our medical practices are of the very highest standards," Auckland Eye chief executive Deb Boyd said in a statement.

"We have been reviewing Dr Polkinghorne's recent clinical practice and out of an abundance of caution, we are in the process of appointing an independent clinical expert to assist in this review."

Polkinghorne is now on extended bereavement leave.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

His photo and profile have been removed from the Auckland Eye website.

"I can confirm Dr Polkinghorne has resigned from the board," Boyd added.

Polkinghorne could not be reached for comment.

Mourners farewell Pauline Hanna at her funeral in Parnell. Photo / Dean Purcell
Mourners farewell Pauline Hanna at her funeral in Parnell. Photo / Dean Purcell

Earlier this week the Herald reported traces of methamphetamine were found during a police search of the Upland Rd home.

Discover more

New Zealand

Remuera death: Pauline Hanna laid to rest as probe continues into unexplained death

15 Apr 01:21 AM
New Zealand

Health chief's Remuera death unexplained one month later

04 May 06:34 PM
New Zealand

Remuera inquiry: Woman had contacted private investigator before her death

05 May 12:22 AM
New Zealand

Emergency services at home of Remuera woman whose death is unexplained

13 May 05:18 PM

Detectives spent 11 days examining the house - they are treating Hanna's death as unexplained.

Detective Aaron Pascoe, from the Auckland Criminal Investigation Branch, said in a statement this week: "Police will not be commenting on any specifics of our ongoing investigation into Pauline Hanna's sudden death at this time."

The mysterious death has captivated Auckland's elite and rich-listers.

Hanna was a senior health executive who spent more than 20 years at the Counties Manukau District Health Board. She was heavily involved in the emergency response to the Covid-19 outbreak last year.

Family and friends portrayed Hanna as an elegant, generous woman who worked hard for her community.

Polkinghorne, her husband of 30 years, described her as a "remarkable" woman and said they had an adoring relationship.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"Our relationship wasn't fine, it wasn't fine at all, it was perfect," Polkinghorne told the Herald last month, in his only interview since his wife's death.

A former colleague of Hanna's who didn't want to be named told the Herald police questioned her about Pauline's state of mind and what her relationship with Polkinghorne was like.

Detectives have also broadened their investigation, interviewing a barber and a masseuse known to Polkinghorne.

The Herald was told by a source that Polkinghorne was a frequent visitor to the masseuse, who is based on Auckland's North Shore.

His White C Class Mercedes Benz with a distinctive personalised number plate, was often seen outside the masseuse's property, the person said.

Police and forensic units spent numerous days at the $4 million home in Remuera where Pauline Hanna was found dead on Easter Monday. Photo / Dean Purcell
Police and forensic units spent numerous days at the $4 million home in Remuera where Pauline Hanna was found dead on Easter Monday. Photo / Dean Purcell

Polkinghorne did not comment on these claims when contacted by the Herald.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"Their marriage was unique," a source said. "Pauline was aware of a lot of things that went on in her marriage. Love comes in different form and shapes, but they loved each other."

Police have provided little information about their investigation, known as "Operation Kian."

However, some details have emerged from sources familiar with the inquiry.

Three weeks ago, it emerged that Hanna had contacted a private investigator before her death.

Several private investigators have told the Herald police had contacted them in a bid to confirm if Hanna had enlisted their services.

One investigator, who asked not to be named, said he received an email from a detective on April 12, a week after Hanna's death.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"It stated they had information suggesting that the deceased had engaged the services of a private investigator and had we worked for her - we had not.

“But there was a note found at the house that said ‘private investigator’, and the name ‘James’ on it,” he said.

Save

    Share this article

Latest from New Zealand

Sport

Newcastle Knights star reportedly considering shock switch to rugby union

New Zealand

Man high on mushrooms crashes car into garage, with a preschooler on his lap

New Zealand

Auckland ambulance patients being diverted to non-hospital clinics


Sponsored

Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

Newcastle Knights star reportedly considering shock switch to rugby union
Sport

Newcastle Knights star reportedly considering shock switch to rugby union

Kalyn Ponga is reportedly exploring other options.

14 Jul 09:58 AM
Man high on mushrooms crashes car into garage, with a preschooler on his lap
New Zealand

Man high on mushrooms crashes car into garage, with a preschooler on his lap

14 Jul 08:00 AM
Auckland ambulance patients being diverted to non-hospital clinics
New Zealand

Auckland ambulance patients being diverted to non-hospital clinics

14 Jul 07:55 AM


Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky
Sponsored

Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky

06 Jul 09:47 PM
NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP