An inquest into the death of Nicholas Munro will finally be held more than three years after he was killed in a street fight in Dunedin.
"Unresolved matters" between former Dunedin coroner Jim Conradson, Mr Munro's family and counsel acting for both parties led to the delay.
Nicholas William Kenneth Munro (18) suffered serious head injuries after an altercation outside a Dunedin bar about 1am on Sunday, March 6, 2005. He died five days later in the intensive care unit of Dunedin Hospital.
Despite police launching an inquiry and the man who had punched Mr Munro presenting himself, nobody was ever charged.
His death caused an outcry about street violence in Dunedin.
Chief coroner Judge Neil MacLean, of Wellington, hoped the inquest would be held before the end of this year, although it would not be before October.
The inquest had been held up by "discussions" between Mr Conradson and counsel for both the deceased and the man who punched him, and Mr Munro's family.
Judge MacLean said there were a "few unresolved matters" which could not be overcome and the case had been handed to him.
He admitted it was unusual so much time had elapsed between the death and the start of inquest.
The police were no longer involved in the inquiry but an inquest was needed because of the violent nature of the death.
The family were also looking for some closure, he said.
Whether he or another coroner conducted the inquest would depend on his workload. A date and venue had yet to be decided.
Mr Munro's father John declined to comment, when contacted.
