A coroner says there were significant delays in a police investigation into the death of a teenage boy from Lower Hutt.
Michael Lafou, 16, from Naenae died of alcohol poisoning after drinking with some friends by the Hutt River in August 2012.
But it took until April 2013 until police interviewed the man accused of supplying the alcohol.
Coroner Ian Smith said by that time, the statute of limitations had expired and no charges could be laid, if intended.
Mr Smith said although police had other serious cases and prosecution was unlikely, the delay was still unacceptable.
Police said they regretted the amount of time it took.
