Coroner calls 2017 Northland child's death a preventable tragedy

Wednesday 8 October 2025 · 5 outlets · 5 reports · updated Wed 8 Oct 2025, 9:19am

In this story Ian Telford

A coroner has described the 2017 death of six-year-old Joshwyn Reihana-Ruka-Wikaira as a preventable tragedy. The child died in a car crash after her mother, who was still impaired from drinking the previous night, exceeded the speed limit. The coroner noted the child may have survived if she had been in a car seat.

How they headlined it

4am5am7:49am9:19am

1. StuffWed 8 Oct 2025, 4:00am

   Girl, 6, killed in ‘highly preventable tragedy’ (opens in new tab)

2. NZ HeraldWed 8 Oct 2025, 5:00am

   Coroner urges action after Northland girl’s death linked to lap belt, fatigue, alcohol (opens in new tab)

3. RNZWed 8 Oct 2025, 5:00am

   Northland mum drank 18 premixed vodkas night before crash which killed her six-year-old daughter (opens in new tab)

4. 1News via RNZWed 8 Oct 2025, 7:49am

   Six-year-old's death in car crash a 'highly preventable tragedy' (opens in new tab)

5. Otago Daily TimesWed 8 Oct 2025, 9:19am

   Mum had 18 drinks the night before crash that killed 6yo daughter (opens in new tab)