Kahui coroner concerned about child abuse

Chris and Cru Kahui died of massive head injuries in June 2006. Photo / Supplied

A coroner conducting an inquest into the deaths of Chris and Cru Kahui has turned his attention to the phenomenon of child abuse in New Zealand, and the inadequacies in reporting abuse and helping its victims in New Zealand.

The inquest resumed in the Auckland District Court today, having last month heard evidence from the slain twins' family members, including father Chris Kahui and mother Macsyna King.

Today, coroner Garry Evans pondered making a recommendation to the Government that health professionals become legally obliged to report any evidence of child abuse.

Only 1 per cent of child abuse cases were reported by general practitioners, when they, along with nurses and midwives, should be "field workers" for child protection, he said.

Health professionals' obligations to patient privacy often conflicted with reporting abuse, he said.

The twins died of head injuries in June 2006.

Their father, Chris Kahui, was found not guilty of murder charges at a 2008 High Court trial, at which his lawyers accused the twins' mother, Macsyna King, of killing them.

- NZPA