The inquest into the death of 3-year-old Lachie Jones will begin in the Invercargill District Court on Monday in front of coroner Alexander Ho.
The original police investigation into the death, on January 29, 2019, quickly ruled it was a tragic accident but the boy’s father, Paul Jones, has never believed that was the case.
He has been vocal about the police’s shortcomings and said he has sunk hundreds of thousands of dollars into his quest for the truth.
With the coronial hearing just days away he had a chance to pause.
"I’ve sort of realised how much of a toll it’s taken on me to get to here," he said.
"It’s destroyed me mentally, physically and financially, to the point where when this inquest is over I don’t know where my future lies.
"I’ve spent every cent I’ve got on this."
His focus for the inquest was simple.
"I’m going there to get all my questions answered," he said.
"I think most of my questions won’t be answered but those people need to be asked why they can’t answer them."
Police found Lachie lying in the southernmost of two council wastewater oxidation ponds in Grasslands Rd about two hours after they were notified he was missing.
Initial statements from witnesses have been viewed by the Otago Daily Times.
Lachie’s mother said she was about to change his nappy when her older son called her for help with his weights.
During the minutes she was away, Lachie got out of the house, police were told.
His mother followed him down the street to a neighbour’s house but after a brief chat, she said the boy went missing again.
At least four nearby residents reported seeing a boy in a reflective vest and police hat — clothes Lachie was wearing — walking towards Grasslands Rd.
If Lachie walked the 1.2km barefoot to the furthest edge of the oxidation ponds, he would have had to trek across a rough gravel track, scale an 85cm fence beside a gate, clamber up a bank covered in thistles and gorse and walk 700m further to where he was finally found.
Mr Jones could not accept that.
After significant pressure, police reviewed the case and in August last year admitted they "missed some steps" in the early stages of the investigation.
However, there has never been any alternative explanation put forward by authorities.
Mr Jones hoped, after hearing all the evidence, Mr Ho would recommend police open a criminal inquiry. Regardless, his efforts would continue.
"This is never going to go away until I get the answers for my son," he said.
