The death of an Australian tourist on a dark highway near Bluff last year is being investigated by the coroner.
Tamara Maree Schmidt (37) was holidaying in New Zealand with her Australian partner in October last year.
Ms Schmidt's body was discovered after being hit by a Bluff motorist on State Highway 1 between Bluff and Invercargill about 1am on October 26.
Police believed she might have died before being hit by the vehicle, but no charges were laid in relation to the mother-of-four's death.
Her Australian partner was charged with assault in relation to a domestic incident near Bluff the day before her body was run over.
However, he failed to appear before the court and left the country before his expected appearance.
The Otago Daily Times understands police encountered complicating factors while investigating her death and as a result the cause of her death had been left to the coroner to decide.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said the coroner was yet to decide on whether an inquest into the death would take place.
The death was referred to coroner Marcus Elliott in November.
A police spokesman said police were not actively pursuing Ms Schmidt's partner in relation to the assault charge, but he would face arrest if he re-entered New Zealand.
The man was granted police bail and summonsed to appear in the Invercargill District Court in December.
However, he left the country before his case was called.
The police spokesman said police would investigate any new information which was brought to light by the coroner or public.
"If new information comes to light we will look at that information and review it and take any appropriate action with regards to it,'' he said.
Police can ask for the coroner to adjourn an inquest and reopen an investigation if necessary.
Ms Schmidt and her partner had been in New Zealand for three or four days before her death. The pair spent time in Queenstown before travelling to Southland.
Police are yet to comment publicly on the cause of death or the findings of a postmortem examination.
