Coroner refers Ngāruawāhia killing to Health and Disability Commissioner
Friday 25 September 2026 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated In this story Health and Disability Commissioner, Ian Telford
A coroner has raised concerns regarding mental health care after Tremaine Hati fatally stabbed his grandmother, Maria Morgan, in Ngāruawāhia. The investigation follows findings that Hati had not been seen by mental health services for several months despite his family's requests for help.
Key facts
4 facts
- Maria Morgan was fatally stabbed on 15 March 2023 in Ngāruawāhia
- Tremaine Hati was found unfit to stand trial due to his mental condition
- Hati was detained as a special patient
- The Health and Disability Commissioner will investigate the circumstances of the death
The full story
1 min read · 3 outlets
Coroner Ian Telford has referred the death of Maria Morgan to the Health and Disability Commissioner. This decision follows concerns regarding the mental health care provided to her grandson, Tremaine Hati, prior to the killing. The coroner determined that investigating the circumstances would serve the public interest.
On 15 March 2023, Tremaine Hati fatally stabbed 72-year-old Maria Morgan at her Ngāruawāhia home. Hati was charged with murder, but a court found he was unfit to stand trial due to his mental condition. He was subsequently ordered to be detained as a special patient.
Hati had a history of serious mental health problems and was diagnosed with an unspecified psychotic disorder in 2018. Although he had a pattern of admissions to services in Whangārei, Rawene, Whakatāne and Waikato, he had not been seen by mental health services for two to three months before the attack.
The family's attempts to secure help from Waikato mental health services were described by the coroner as "frustrated". On the night of the incident, Hati's sister contacted the mental health crisis team after receiving a message from Morgan regarding her concerns. Around 9.15pm, Hati arrived at his sister's house with blood on his hands and abdomen.
Where reports differ
- One report notes Hati's sister asked him what happened and received no response, while another states she asked twice with no reply
Compiled from reports by Waikato Times, NZ Herald and 1News.