The Kahui twins: Police say family made pact to stall probe

As twin babies Chris and Cru Kahui lay in hospital with severe brain damage, police say their family made a pact not to co-operate with the investigation into their deaths.

Detective Senior Sergeant John Tims yesterday said the family met at a house in South Auckland a short time after the twins were transferred from Middlemore Hospital to the Starship hospital on June 13.

"The family made a decision that they would be uncooperative with police and they would not come forward and assist us with this investigation until they were given the go-ahead by a spokesperson and by their lawyers," Mr Tims said.

"These actions by stonewalling this inquiry says to me the family and extended family are supporting the individuals that have inflicted these serious injuries."

The twins' father, Chris Kahui, has told police he has no idea who inflicted their injuries.

Their mother, Macsyne King, was "absolutely committed to doing what she can so that whoever has done this is brought to justice", said her lawyer, Marie Dhyrberg.

Ms King was interviewed by police this week.

Mr Tims appealed to family gathering for the funeral at Manurewa Marae to contact him if they heard anything about who caused the injuries.

Police waited a week to go public with the information that they were dealing with family members who would not assist with the double homicide investigation.

With a three-day tangi for the boys due to finish today with the funeral, it is clear police expect the family to start co-operating.

A former detective sergeant said there were provisions available for police to charge people with perverting the course of justice or refusing to assist an officer in the execution of his or her duties and he believed that could be the next step if the family still refused to comply.