Four years on from the March 15th Christchurch terror attacks, the coronial inquest is beginning today.

Coroner Brigette Windley will hear up to eight weeks of evidence.  

She will determine the cause and circumstances of the 51 deaths and make recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.  

Herald reporter Anna Leask told Kate Hawkesby that the coroner will look at whether people could've lived if emergency services or hospital staff had done things differently.  

She says there are a few other questions the families don't feel have been answered, including whether the gunman had help. 

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