Police cordoned off the road where two bodies were found in Ruakākā last month.
Photo: RNZ / Amy Williams

The mental state of a woman is being assessed as mental health reports were called for a woman accused of murdering two children in the seaside village of Ruakākā.

Police were called to an address in the village of Ruakākā on 15 May where two pre-school-aged children were found dead.

The matter was called in Whangārei High Court before Justice Ronald Davison on Friday.

However, the accused woman – whose name and details continue to be suppressed – did not appear via audio-visual link due to technical difficulties.

She is currently in custody at a mental health facility and is being represented by Catherine Cull KC who sought leave to withdraw as her counsel.

Cull said the defendant had indicated she wanted to represent herself but Cull was hopeful a new lawyer could be assigned.

The reports are expected to take up to six weeks to be completed and pleas will not be expected until reports on her mental health are finalised.

A three-week trial has been scheduled for 10 March, 2025, however, that could potentially change.

The police investigation is continuing and the woman will re-appear in the High Court in July when reports are expected to be complete.

* This story originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald.