The Southland woman fighting charges following the fatal sinking of the fishing boat Easy Rider in 2012 is representing herself at the hearing into the incident.
Gloria Davis, wife of Easy Rider skipper William Karetai, is facing three charges under the Maritime and Health and Safety in Employment Acts.
The sinking claimed the lives of eight people including Ms Davis' husband.
The prosecution says Ms Davis knew the boat was operating with an uncertified skipper in the lead-up to the sinking in Foveaux Strait.
Crown prosecutor Brent Stanaway told the Invercargill District Court that Ms Davis was the sole director of the company and allowed Easy Rider to be operated in a dangerous manner.
He also said there were too many passengers on board and her inaction led to the eight deaths.
Ms Davis has not indicated what her defence might be, but the Crown says she will try to say her husband took care of the business.