Details of a coronial inquiry into the death of a 3-year-old Gore boy will remain under wraps until tomorrow.
Lachie Jones was found dead in an oxidation pond on January 29, 2019, but how he got there remains the subject of some conjecture.
His mother, whose name is suppressed, spent all of today in the witness box at the Invercargill District Court, and has undergone a gruelling cross-examination.
But a ruling by Coroner Alexander Ho means her evidence cannot be reported until she has finished being questioned.
The initial police investigation into Lachie's death concluded the boy had walked the 1.2km from where he was last seen and tragically drowned, but his father Paul Jones has always disagreed.
Last year, Gore District Council pleaded guilty to a WorkSafe charge regarding the fencing around the ponds.
It was ordered to pay reparation to Lachie's parents but Mr Jones said he did not blame the council.
Coroner Ho opened today's hearing, in front of a busy public gallery, by expressing his condolences to Lachie's family and friends.
"The loss of a young life like Lachie and the impact this would have had on you is unimaginable to those not in your position," he said.
"No condolences I express here today, while genuine, can salve your grief. I did not have the privilege of knowing Lachie but he's now my responsibility."
He emphasised that while two police investigations found there was no nefarious involvement of any other person in the boy's death, he was not bound by that.
If he found there was a likelihood of illegality, that would be a matter for the police.
"Here, we're conducting a fact-finding exercise," Coroner Ho said.
A police review found there were "missed steps" early in the investigation.
The inquiry will consider the cause of death and the circumstances that led to Lachie ending up in the pond, including whether neglect was involved, and the coroner may make recommendations to prevent similar deaths.
The first phase of the hearing is set down for three weeks.
