Inquest Opens into Death of Teenager Karnin Petera Following 2023 Abbey Caves Tragedy

Coroner Alexander Ho opens a week-long inquest into the 2023 death of 15-year-old Karnin Petera, who was swept away during a school caving trip.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 29, 2026, 6:51 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

Witness Testimony and Key Questions

The inquest will open with testimony from Karnin’s parents, Alicia Toki and Andre Petera, followed by expert evidence from a MetService weather representative. Coroner Alexander Ho has identified several critical areas of inquiry for the week:

Risk Identification: Were the dangers of the cave system properly identified before the trip commenced?

Weather Forecasts: Why did the trip proceed despite heavy rain warnings?

Emergency Strategy: Why was the decision made to exit the cave during a flash flood rather than seeking higher ground to wait for water levels to recede?

Public Information: Who was responsible for informing the public of the risks at Abbey Caves, which have since been closed under a rāhui?