A coroner has requested police interview further witnesses, before proceeding with an investigation into the death of a 28 year old forestry worker.

Michael Langford died at the end of 2013, when he was trapped between two trees at a private forestry site near Nelson.

Some witnesses blame his employer, Total Harvest Solutions, for putting him under too much pressure to get the job done fast, with log export prices falling.

Land owner David Leary said Michael Langford appeared to be under pressure from the company, which had set him up to do the impossible.

"I said to Mike it's going to take as long as it takes, and that's it. End of the line. I said we offered to help him in the short term if he needed more finance."

A coroner's inquest in Nelson has just been adjourned.

Lawyer for Michael Langford's family Gerard Dewar is pleased with the coroner's investigation so far.

"There are still a couple of things that need to be looked at, considered, hence the coroner has adjourned for the day."

"The family are hoping this will soon be resolved, but nothing will bring Michael back which is the saddest part of all."