Intervention in domestic violence pushed at vigil [audio report]

Students at the vigil at Mangere Mountain this morning. Picture / Greg Bowker

A new system to allow for early intervention in domestic violence cases has been promoted at a dawn vigil in Mangere this morning by Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples.

Dr Sharples said he wanted to see two "well paid" and trusted people appointed in each suburb who could be called on using a 24-hour phoneline to help at-risk families.

He saw it as "a step" between agencies life Child Youth and Family where people could intervene to help those at risk get the support they needed.

At the vigil at the Mangere domain, about 300 people gathered under a covered marquee in a carpark to celebrate the dawn of Matariki, the Maori New Year.

They were also there to hear church and community leaders and politicians speak about family violence following the deaths of twin boys Chris and Cru Kahui.

Dr Sharples said he had last night gone to see the Kahui family in last ditch attempt to get them to cooperate with the police.

"We failed...they were arguing with each other...one wanted to get away to the pub...sisters were yelling at sisters. It was really sad."

Dr Sharples pointed his finger at the binge drinking culture in New Zealand. Twice he had been to the house and everyone was drunk, he said.

Dr Sharples said it was an example of a dysfunctional group within a wider family.

The speculation about what had happened was leading to a field day on talkback radio, he said.

"All sorts of ridiculous things are being said about race relations."

Dr Sharples said derogatory comments about the case were causing division among New Zealanders.

Violence in the home led to more violence and threats had already been made against the family, he said.

Counties Manukau police district commander, Superintendent Steve Shortland, was also among those at today's vigil.