A coronial inquest begins today more than three years after the murder of Bay of Plenty boy Malachi Subecz

The five-year-old succumbed to brain injuries in late 2021, following months of abuse at the hands of his carer, Michaela Barriball.

Malachi's death triggered a series of scathing reviews, revealing gaps in the Government's child protection system.

The Auckland courtroom's expected to hear from the little boy's family, including his mother and cousin.