Coroners are appointed by the Governor General.
Many coroners have legal qualifications but there is no requirement that coroners be lawyers.
For centuries, the Coroners' Court has been the place where the evidence surrounding a death is presented in open court, critically examined, and a finding then made establishing when, where and how the death occurred. In many cases the police act as the coroners officers in carrying out investigations on behalf of the coroner. Coroners have wide powers to help them carry out their duties including the power to summons witnesses. There are over 70 coroners in New Zealand, and they are widely distributed throughout the country.