Coroner speaks to health board over body claims at Auckland morgue

Staff have complained of bullying at the Auckland Mortuary. Photo / Doug Sherring

The Coroner has sought assurances after allegations around the way bodies are being handled at Auckland's mortuary.

It comes after WorksSafe ordered the Auckland DHB to hand over its files into a formal complaint by a staff member.

A second staff member who has since resigned has lodged a complaint with the Employment Relations Authority.

They claim there is bullying at the morgue.

Claims of technicians making racist and homophobic comments about the dead, and mocking suicide victims are also in the spotlight.

The Office of the Chief Coroner says it has sought and received assurances from the health board over the way bodies are treated.

It says it is mindful the allegations are being looked into, and because of that it can't say any more publicly.