KEY POINTS:
The family of a woman who died after the power was cut to her South Auckland home will have to wait until May for an inquest into her death.
The Chief Coroner, Judge Neil MacLean, yesterday stood down from hearing the inquest into the death of Folole Muliaga because of a personal friendship with Mainpower director Rex Williams.
Mainpower holds a 77 per cent share of Vircom, the disconnection company contracted by Mercury Energy.
Mr Williams stood down as a Mainpower director on Monday, and no longer has an interest in the company.
Vircom was the company that cut power to the Muliagas' Mangere home, on May 29 last year.
The disconnection stopped power to Mrs Muliaga's oxygen machine, and the 44-year-old died hours later.
A little over $168 was outstanding.
Family spokesman Brenden Sheehan said the family were disappointed the matter would now drag on for another few months, though they were pleased Judge MacLean had stood aside.
A new coroner would be appointed, and the inquest is likely to resume in May.
Yesterday's sitting, in Auckland, was the continuation of an inquest hearing that adjourned part-heard in November.
Mr Sheehan said the family had moved to a new state house in Mangere and were "fine, but very sad" after the death of Mrs Muliaga.
