Coroners
This month we pay tribute to our Coroners as we feature their tireless, hard, grinding, at times confronting work. Their role was perfectly encapsulated in a speech by the Honourable Sir David Baragwanath, who said: “[A Coroner has] two vital roles: to give the living the comfort that comes from closure; to know how and why a loved one has suddenly died. The other is to preserve life: by learning from the sudden death then speaking truth to power, however unpalatable that truth may be, so that disaster is turned to good.”
As death’s auditor, the Coroner plays an important and too often unheralded role in both the health and legal systems of Aotearoa. As independent judicial officers serving the Crown and the public, it has always been Coroners who openly and fearlessly speak for the dead so as to protect the living. This judicial service takes great character, courage, stamina, and wisdom. However, their tried and tested assets of openness, compassion, problem-solving, and truth-speaking must be fully supported by governments that not only recognise the Coroner’s calibre, but also resource their mahi beyond mere rhetoric.
Christchurch coroner Marcus Elliott wrote a personal essay about death, grief, and mercy “A strange thing to do”:
“I have found myself in my study at home, talking on the phone to young parents in the early hours of the morning about whether their baby should undergo a post-mortem. Nothing in my years of legal practice equipped me to do this.”
We also get to know Mark Wilton a coroner based in Wellington. Mark, who sits on the JANZ executive, helped us compile a review of the jurisdiction.
And did you know our coroners’ ancient history as record keepers, investigators and protectors of the Kings purse. You can read a short history here
Kiribati crisis
Our Man in Kiribati Chief Justice Bill Hastings has had a most difficult time of it since his appointment to the island state. Especially over the last month.
Bill was suspended in late June just as he was due to begin hearing a constitutional challenge brought by the only other High Court Judge, David Lambourne, to his own suspension. Last Friday, the country’s court of appeal criticised the government for its conduct towards the judges who have been suspended on unspecified allegations of misconduct. You can read about how JANZ working with our Australian cousins successfully urged support for Bill and David from the international community. Read the article here
Civics education
There is also a report on the Pukekohe High School ‘legal Studies’ programme and the work of our South Auckland judges to see that students should leave school with an understanding of the fundamental institutions of our democratic society, which includes the courts. Year 13 students have visited District and Jury courts and met judges as part of the initiative. Feed back was very positive ‘We rock’, apparently?
Hilton Weekend
Have you RSVP’d for our Hilton Weekend? Send that email to admin@janz.nz and commit to the enjoyable company of your brothers and sisters at our fabulous Hilton Break-a-way weekend from the evening of Friday 18 November to a late check out on Sunday 20 November. Come one, come all, but especially our cohort approaching the last decade of service. Go one better and make a road trip of it with a group of friends. We promise, no talking heads, just time to talk about the things that must endure and matter to you. And of course, the great hospitality of the Karaka Hilton.