Family appeals for information

From: New Zealand Police <noreply@police.co.nz> Sent: Tuesday, March 5, 2019 12:42 PM To: Editor - Northland Age Subject: Kaitaia homicide investigation - update Maree Takui

A relative of the 4-week-old baby who died in Kaitaia on February 19, as the result of non-accidental injuries, has appealed for the public's help with the police investigation.

"We want to know what happened to our mokopuna," family spokesman Bardia Matiu said yesterday.

"Our whānau are united in our support of the police in their search for the truth."

Acting Detective Inspector Lloyd Schmid, who is leading the investigation, said a post mortem examination and other information police had gathered indicated Maree had died of a non-accidental brain injury and bleeding to her brain. Severe bruising was also found on one arm and thigh.

A team of investigators were currently speaking to a large number of people, in Northland and further afield.

"We are working hard to gather as much information as we can to piece together all the circumstances surrounding her tragic death," Mr Schmid said.

"We are making progress, and we are grateful to those members of the public who have contacted police as a result of our appeals for information and have assisted our investigation.

"These are very serious injuries inflicted upon an innocent baby less than 4 weeks old. The very nature of those injuries are deeply concerning. I continue to urge anyone who has yet to contact police to come forward; we know there are people out there who hold vital information about this case."

Anyone with any information was asked to contact the Kaitaia police on (09) 408-6500, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555-111.