Patient found dead in Waikato Hospital toilet

Saturday 5 September 2026 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated Sat 5 Sep, 1:14pm

In this story Health New Zealand, Waikato Hospital

A patient in his 60s was found dead in a surgical ward toilet after being missing for up to five hours in mid-August. This is the second such incident at Waikato Hospital in two months. Health New Zealand has launched a review into the death.

How they headlined it

6h

5am10:42am1:14pm

1. NZ HeraldSat 5 Sep, 5:00am

   Waikato Hospital patient missing for up to five hours found dead in ward toilet (opens in new tab)

2. StuffSat 5 Sep, 10:42am

   Second patient found dead in Waikato Hospital toilet in two months (opens in new tab)

3. 1NewsSat 5 Sep, 1:14pm

   Review after another patient found dead in Waikato Hospital bathroom (opens in new tab)