RNZ is challenging a reporting ban that effectively prevents media publishing any information about the fatal police shooting of Rotorua man Shargin Stephens.
Shargin Stephens was shot and killed after smashing up a police car in 2016. Photo: RNZ/Vinay Ranchhod
Lawyers acting for the public broadcaster have filed papers in the Hamilton High Court asking judges to review a prohibition order by Coroner JP Ryan.
Coroner Ryan issued the interim order last month after an RNZ investigation revealed discrepancies between the police's homicide inquiry into the shooting and the evidence police gave the Independent Police Conduct Authority's (IPCA).
The gagging order bans reporting of all evidence in the coronial inquiry into Stephens' death.
Stephens was shot and killed in July 2016 after smashing up an empty police car with a weed slasher in Rotorua.
RNZ's court challenge says the coroner's ruling amounts to a blanket suppression order over the inquiry which is inconsistent with the principles of open justice and freedom of expression.
The media organisation also said public scrutiny was vital, given the significant discrepancies it had uncovered in the case.
The coroner banned reporting under section 74 of the Coroners Act. He set out the reasons for his decision in a coroner's minute.
RNZ requested the minute but was only provided with an extract. Even that document is subject to the non-publication order so RNZ cannot tell the public what the coroner's reasons are.
Stephens' whānau have been fighting for a full inquest into his death but the coroner has said only a narrow inquest is needed because the IPCA had already established much of what happened on the day Stephens was shot.
On 30 June, following RNZ's investigation, the IPCA announced it would reopen its inquiry. Principal operations adviser Warren Young said after an initial review the authority had decided to take "a more indepth review of our original investigation".
The review is expected to be completed by the end of October.