The child's injuries, which included widespread bruising and a brain injury, were previously compared by former detective inspector Mike Foster to those suffered by James Whakaruru, Foster stating they were the worst he had seen in his 30-year career.
Detective inspector Rob Jones said a small team of officers continue to work on the case. Photo / File
Detective inspector Rob Jones, who is now heading the investigation, said a small dedicated team of officers continue to actively work on the case in partnership with medical experts and other key agencies.
Members of the boy's extended family, as well as his stepmother and father, were at the Ramsey Cres home during the time it is believed he was beaten.
"Levels of child abuse in New Zealand are horrific, our current laws do everything they can to protect the rights of the offenders – and are clearly failing to protect our children," she added.
Lynsey Abbott, founder of One Voice Community Services in Flaxmere, said the boy will need medical help for his brain injury for the rest of his life.
Abbott said with multiple adults in the home at the time of the incident, a member of the family must know who is responsible and "need to do right by that little baby".
"There's a lot of distressed people in the community about the fact no action has been taken and nobody has handed themselves in," she said.
Oranga Tamariki deputy chief executive children and families south, Alison McDonald, said the boy is "making progress" in his recovery.
"His recovery is really important and we are continuing to work alongside his extended family and professionals with this in mind," she said.
Jones said while yet to make an arrest, plenty is going on behind the scenes.
He said the lack of co-operation doesn't stop police continuing to investigate thoroughly and gather evidence by whatever lawful means are available.
"Especially in the case of serious crimes, gathering evidence to meet the threshold required for a successful prosecution can be time-consuming and meticulous.
"While police always endeavour to bring a case to conclusion in a timely manner, this will not be done at the sacrifice of a thorough and comprehensive investigation."
Hastings District councillor Henare O'Keefe said police have not done enough in their investigation. Photo / Paul Taylor
Abbott said since a karakia was held for the boy after the incident, the Flaxmere community has pulled together and its members have reached out to one another more.
"People are speaking up more, pointing out things they don't think are right and things they've witnessed and trying to help others," she said.
"If the family needed help, they could've and should've come to us. But they chose not to."
O'Keefe said members of the community have been in communication and held meetings with the boy's family to encourage them to share information with police.
He said while outwardly it may seem the community has moved on, that is certainly not the case.
"It causes you to take a long hard look at yourself, your home, your community," he said. "But you cannot say enough has been done because the perpetrators have not been flushed out and brought to justice.
"Do you put up a reward for information? Do you have to go to that extreme in order to get justice?"
Hawke's Bay Today visited the house on Ramsey Cres, which lies empty, on the one-year anniversary of the incident.
A neighbour said Flaxmere "will always remain a positive place".
Another neighbour said the "close-knit community" tries not to pry into others' goings-on.
"We keep ourselves to ourselves. We try not to get involved in others' business on the road."
Jones said police will aim to provide the public with updates wherever possible.
"However, in some instances, it must be recognised that a lot of work is undertaken behind the scenes that is not visible to the public, or that cannot be publicised due to the risk of compromising an investigation."
