Family hui attracts interest

A hui planned by South Auckland community leaders is attracting huge interest, an organiser said yesterday.

Sharon Wilson said community providers were eager to discuss their work with families following the deaths of twins Chris and Cru Kahui.

The Mangere family did not have any contact with agencies in their community, Ms Wilson said.

Government ministers Parekura Horomia and David Benson-Pope have been invited to attend the hui at Nga Tapuwae Community Centre in Mangere on July 25.

The Government is investigating benefit payments made to family members of the twins, who died five days after being taken to hospital with multiple injuries and severe brain damage.

Mr Benson-Pope has asked officials to identify "clusters" of long-term beneficiaries for extra attention.

National Maori Urban Authority head and former Labour MP John Tamihere has called for Maori welfare organisations to be given the power to manage the finances of beneficiaries with a poor track record.

Police investigating the June 18 Kahui deaths have interviewed about 20 family members and 90 non-family witnesses, plus 90 health workers.