The inquest into the death of Pauline Hanna began in Auckland on Monday, with the Coroner, Tania Tetitaha, making clear that the proceedings were not intended to serve as a trial against her husband, Dr. Philip Polkinghorne. Hanna, a 67-year-old woman, was found dead in her Remuera home on April 5, 2021. Her husband was acquitted of murder in a 2024 trial at the High Court in Auckland. The current inquest aims to determine the cause and circumstances of her death, focusing on whether it was self-inflicted or resulted from external factors. The inquest opened with Coroner Tetitaha emphasizing that the process was distinct from a criminal trial. She stated that while some evidence from the previous trial may overlap, the purpose here was to investigate the facts surrounding Hanna’s death. She reiterated that no one, including Polkinghorne, was on trial, and there would be no prosecution, defense, or burden of proof. Instead, the coroner would rely on the balance of probabilities to assess what occurred. Polkinghorne, who attended the hearing, was not expected to testify until next week. Hanna’s brother, Bruce Hanna, along with his wife Shelley and son Jacob, were present at the court. They placed a framed photograph of Hanna and a small bouquet of flowers from their family garden at the entrance. All three wore white ribbons on their shirts, symbolizing support for the family. The presence of the family underscores the emotional weight of the proceedings, which continue to seek clarity nearly five years after Hanna’s death. Crown solicitor Alysha McClintock, representing the police, outlined key points during the opening. She noted that while the inquest is not a trial, there remain unresolved questions about whether Hanna’s death was self-inflicted or involved another party. Evidence suggested a struggle had occurred, as Hanna’s room was described as dishevelled. McClintock highlighted that there was no suicide note and no indication of suicidal intent on Hanna’s personal devices. Additionally, she pointed out discrepancies between Polkinghorne’s initial account of finding Hanna and the findings at the scene. Polkinghorne had reportedly been active during the night and later searched online how to delete search history from iCloud. Polkinghorne’s legal representative, Ron Mansfield, challenged the approach of the police, suggesting they remained focused on the possibility of homicide despite the acquittal. He argued that the investigation was influenced by a “voyeuristic fascination” with the couple’s lifestyle, leading to potential bias. Mansfield claimed that the police were overly preoccupied with Polkinghorne’s activities and that the suggestion of homicide required careful scrutiny. He also disputed claims that Hanna’s messy room indicated a struggle, attributing it instead to the fact that her bed had been used. Bruce Hanna expressed continued skepticism about the official narrative surrounding his sister’s death. He described April 5, 2021, as the worst day of his life, noting that he still does not believe the information he received at the time. He emphasized that Polkinghorne’s use of methamphetamine the night of Hanna’s death should be a central consideration in the inquest. This perspective highlights the ongoing uncertainty within the family and the broader community about the true nature of Hanna’s passing.
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