Appointment of Chief Coroner

  • Christopher Finlayson
Attorney-General

Auckland Coroner Deborah Marshall has been appointed the new Chief Coroner, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today. She replaces Judge Neil MacLean who is retiring after having served in the position since 2007.

Ms Marshall was appointed a Coroner for the Auckland region in January 2013. She previously held the position of General Counsel for the Serious Fraud Office. Prior to joining that office in June 2010, she was a partner at Meredith Connell, the Crown Solicitors in Auckland. 

Ms Marshall’s earlier career includes eight years as a uniformed police officer and seven years as the Manager Investigations in the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.

On announcing Ms Marshall’s appointment, Mr Finlayson also acknowledged Judge MacLean’s leadership and outstanding contribution to the coronial regime since his appointment as the first Chief Coroner under the Coroners Act 2006.

Ms Marshall takes up her appointment on 13 February 2015.