Week three of Phillip Polkinghorne's murder trial has kicked off with testimony from Pauline Hanna's niece.

The Auckland eye doctor's accused of murdering his wife in 2021, but his defence claims she killed herself.

The court's today heard from Hanna's niece, Rose, who made a covert recording played last week - in which Pauline discussed issues within her marriage.

ZB's Chelsea Daniels says they've now heard claims Pauline was considering getting a divorce lawyer.

"She said her aunt was terrified and worried she couldn't afford to leave her husband because she suspected she didn't have any money to her name."

LISTEN ABOVE

• Pauline Hanna feared husband had swindled control of their finances, niece testifies
• 'If anything happens to me ... ' Pauline Hanna told friend before suspicious death
• 'Beastly' Polkinghorne became 'enraged' at wife, trial hears
• ‘He's just such a sex fiend’ - Covert audio recording of Polkinghorne’s wife released