Inquest Examines Death of Toko-Harieta Maki in Darwin

An inquest is examining the death of Toko-Harieta Maki, a 33-year-old mother from New Zealand, who died on July 25, 2024. The death is being investigated as a death in custody.

The Incident at Crisis Accommodation

On the morning of July 25, 2024, St John Ambulance paramedics were called to a Darwin crisis accommodation facility at 7:58am. They spent approximately 23 seconds in Maki's room before exiting to await police, letting the door lock behind them.

NT Police officers arrived at approximately 8:12am. Police gained access to the room roughly six minutes after their arrival, nearly an hour after Maki's initial call to emergency services.

A senior police officer testified that entering the room to disarm Maki, who was self-harming, was one of the most difficult incidents in her policing career.

The officer stated she was "quite panicked to get in the room" and was "not fully prepared for what I saw" when the door opened. She reported finding Maki "actively self-harming" and that Maki resisted as police tried to remove the knife. Maki was heard screaming "Jesus cut it off."

Police placed Maki in handcuffs to prevent further self-harm.

Background and Domestic Violence Concerns

The inquest heard that Maki had fled a violent relationship just five days before her death. She had alleged her partner would not let her take their seven-month-old baby and had been trying to regain custody of her son.

A family violence specialist testified that Maki was "terrified for her safety, but more so for her child's safety."

Maki and other agencies had made several complaints about domestic violence against her partner. A video recorded before Maki fled showed an argument during which he threatened her. However, NT Police and the NT Department of Children and Families separately assessed there was no risk to the baby staying with the father.

Police Officer's Testimony on Support

Regarding support after the traumatic incident, the officer said she received one email outlining available support services but had not processed the event when it arrived. She stated she "heard nothing until we were summoned to this inquest."

Under cross-examination, the officer acknowledged receiving regular check-ins from her police sergeant.

Coroner Elisabeth Armitage stated NT Police has a duty of care to offer professional support to frontline responders and requested a statement from the force outlining services offered.

Inquest Continues

The inquest is scheduled to continue, with evidence expected from senior police and Department of Children and Families staff.