Aunts say they spoke out to break family's wall of silence

Aunts who claim to know who murdered twins Chris and Cru Kahui say their allegations were designed to break the silence of other relatives.

Fiona and Denise King yesterday stood by their claim that a male family member was responsible - despite the babies' grandmother saying a woman inflicted the fatal injuries.

The women, half-sisters of the twins' mother Macsyna King, said they expected their public statements would rattle the so-called "tight 12" group of family members who were with the twins before they died.

Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples was pleased allegations were flying.

It signalled the family was "under real pressure and they're sick of it".

"The people who have been telling them are the parents [Macsyna King and Chris Kahui]. One parent says one thing and the other parent says the other thing. I think that's a good sign because they're going to crack soon and that's what we want.

"We needed the rest of the family that are talking to get anxious and angry like this and put pressure on."

Police are refusing to be drawn into the family's public exchange.

Asked yesterday if she could be wrong about the killer, Denise King told the Herald: "I won't say I'm 110 per cent sure. Anything is possible. It's all about pushing buttons and if it is going to change, it's going to change".

Speaking separately, Fiona King said she and her sister expected the family to unravel.

"That's exactly what me and my sister expected and that was the plan, to have this wall shattered."

Chris and Cru were taken off life support on June 18, five days after being admitted to hospital with severe head injuries. Both boys also had fractured ribs.

Dr Sharples said only two or three people really knew who killed the twins, including their parents. The King and Kahui families appeared to be turning on each other, he said.

Dr Sharples said he was in contact with the family and reported any new information to police, but had not given them a formal statement.

Fiona and Denise King were interviewed three weeks ago and the information was "evaluated", Detective Senior Sergeant John Tims said this week. He has not responded to fresh claims by Gwen Hetaraka, mother of the twins' father, that a woman was the killer.

Ms Hetaraka told TV3 she felt "in my heart" that a female member of the household was responsible.

Denise King said Macsyna King and their brother, Robert King, told her who was responsible at a family meeting after the twins died.

"I don't mean to be critical to the grandmother, but she wasn't there when we were there at the meeting. Whatever she says is her stuff, but I know that what we heard is what we heard."

Fiona King was critical of the latest allegations by Ms Hetaraka.

"It's quite funny isn't it, now they've seen our korero now they want to say something. What happened to the tight 12 business?

"I think she's very cheeky. Her and the other fella [a family member who rang Radio Live on Monday and said the aunts were guessing who the killer was] who's decided to say something. Too late, too late."

Fiona King would not reveal the identity of the person she claims killed the babies.

"It's either confess now or forever hold your tongue."