Inquest begins into Benjamin Hale death in Waikato River
Monday 31 August 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story NZME
An inquest is examining whether police could have done more to rescue Benjamin Hale. The 36-year-old died after being sucked into a whirlpool in the Waikato River while attempting to evade arrest. His family is seeking justice more than eight years after the incident.
