Pauline Hanna inquest

The story so far

Pauline Hanna died in 2021 at her home in Remuera, Auckland.^{3 Aug} Her husband, Philip Polkinghorne, was acquitted of her murder in 2024.^{3, 11 Aug} A coroner's inquest began in August 2026 to determine the circumstances and cause of her death, including whether it was self-inflicted or involved another person.^{3, 4 Aug} The coroner said the inquest is not a trial of Polkinghorne.^{3 Aug} The court has viewed a police interview recorded on the day her body was found, and has seen previously unseen footage from a 2022 documentary filmed at the Remuera home.^{4, 13 Aug}

Latest

Polkinghorne gave evidence, denying he killed his wife but admitting he had told numerous lies since 2021. He also told the coroner he denied using methamphetamine before her death and had deleted data from his phone after becoming a suspect.^{11, 14 Aug} His sister, Ruth Hughes, then gave evidence, describing finding her brother holding his wife on the floor of their Remuera home.^{18 Aug}

Key moments

1. 3 AugInquest opens in Auckland into Pauline Hanna's 2021 death; coroner says it is not a trial.
2. 4 AugCourt views police interview recorded on the day Hanna's body was found.
3. 11 AugPolkinghorne testifies, saying he deleted phone data after becoming a suspect.
4. 13 AugUnused footage from a 2022 documentary filmed at the home is played.
5. 14 AugPolkinghorne denies killing his wife but admits telling many lies.
6. 18 AugPolkinghorne's sister describes finding him holding Hanna on the floor.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.