Police and the Medical Council are investigating after two patients died following surgery at Wairau Hospital in Blenheim.
The Medical Council says both were patients of Michael Parry, who is a surgeon at the hospital.
The council says it is reviewing Mr Parry's competency; in the meantime he is no longer working as a surgeon.
Coroner Carla na Nagara had begun an inquiry into the deaths, but put it on hold after speaking with police on Friday.
Police say they are investigating one of the deaths in order to determine whether anyone can be held responsible for it.
They may also investigate the second death, but are not commenting further at this stage.
