Coroners Act 2006, ss 25, 26
The coroner can allow the immediate family or whānau (and also a minister) to see, touch and stay with the deceased’s body while it’s with the coroner. In deciding whether to allow this, the coroner will take into account factors such as:
whether this could make it harder to find out the cause of death
any health risks to the family
whether there are rooms and facilities available for the family or whānau
requirements under tikanga that whānau need to see, touch or stay with the tūpāpaku, or other customary requirements under other cultures that family need to see, touch or stay with the body.