Normalising post-mortems – whose cultural imperative? An indigenous view on New Zealand post-mortem policy

Abstract

In Aotearoa New Zealand a post-mortem examination, also known as an autopsy, is the main tool for identifying cause of death. For Indigenous Māori New Zealanders, however, post-mortems remain a foreign and desecrating act. This paper examines how prevailing post-mortem practices affect Māori and discusses possible alternatives. It argues that, even with amendments to the Coroners Act, the coronial office continues to hold an unassailable position of power and there remains tension between the practice of post-mortem procedures and Māori tikanga. Further research is needed to investigate the social and cultural impacts of post-mortems on Māori and into new technologies and procedures that could be more acceptable to Māori.