After a five-week trial, she was convicted in 2023 of murdering her three young daughters.
Through her counsel, Dickason said she wanted to take the opportunity to convey the deepest and most sincere remorse for the extreme pain and hurt caused to her children and family.
“I loved Liané, Maya and Karla with all my heart. No apology will ever be enough, and words will seem hollow to many,” she said.
“I want people to know our girls brought me so much joy and were the centre of my world.
“I am horrified by my actions, and the pain, distress and trauma I have caused everyone who loved them. Like many others, I miss them every single day.”
Dickason’s family criticised the New Zealand Government this morning and complained about the investigation, court process and the way the offender was treated from the night of the murders until now.
“We are angry with the New Zealand Government for such strict MIQ rules, even for families of five, with small children who are used to running around in South African gardens, having ample space to move around and run freely,” a close family member whose name is suppressed said.
Dickason’s father Malcolm Fawkes’ statement also expressed disappointment with the New Zealand Government.
“Why did you impose such inhumane MIQ requirements on essential service people and others in general?
“We are disappointed with [Immigration New Zealand]. Why did you insist on Lauren having to submit reports on her mental condition and Karla’s cleft lip within a week of arriving?”
Asked today about the family’s comments on MIQ requirements, Labour leader and former Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins acknowledged the challenging set of circumstances the family had found themselves in.
“I don’t want to add to that grievance by getting into that debate,” Hipkins said.
“I know that people who worked in MIQ tried really hard to support families, particularly families with young children, but I don’t want to comment on their comments, I just acknowledge that they’re going through a really horrible time.”
Lauren Anne Dickason killed 6-year-old Liané and 2-year-old twins Maya and Karla at the family's Timaru home in September 2021.
Dickason said she would continue to undergo treatment for severe mental illness, and she owed it to everyone and herself to get healthier mentally.
“I will do whatever it takes, although I know that will never change the past.
“My family and I want people to know about the risks, warning signs and extreme impacts of post-partum depression.
“We urge other families to look for and act on unhealthy signs. We urge women experiencing the symptoms of post-partum depression to tell the ones they love.
“This pain and heartbreak cannot happen to any other families.”
18-year sentence to be served in mental health unit
After considering all of the material and legal points, Justice Cameron Mander ruled life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 17 years or more would be manifestly unjust.
He did not sentence her to life in prison, rather, three determinate sentences of 18 years, to be served concurrently.
The judge did not set a minimum term of imprisonment, therefore Dickason is eligible for parole after a third of her sentence, six years, has been served.
Justice Mander ordered Dickason be detained at a mental health facility for compulsory treatment, rather than prison. She will remain at the facility until she reaches a point she is mentally well enough to be transferred to prison.
Dickason remained silent when sentenced and did not react. Her mother wept.
Justice Mander began the sentencing by outlining how Dickason killed her three daughters and acknowledged Dickason’s diagnosis with a major depressive disorder in her teens.
He spoke about the reoccurrences of her depression over the years – before and after Liane and then the twins were born.
She was then seeing a psychiatrist regularly for post-natal depression and Justice Mander said it was clear Dickason’s mental state was “in decline” in the months leading up to the triple murder.
She experienced “intrusive ideations” of harming her children during that time.
Lauren Dickason appeared for sentencing in the High Court at Christchurch today. Photo / Pool
Justice Mander said since the trial he had been provided with three expert reports about Dickason’s current mental state.
They said there was “recognition of the impact of the offending on others” and that she had expressed “remorse and regret” for killing the little girls.
Several said the woman remained mentally disordered.
“Sentencing a parent for the murder of three children is unprecedented in New Zealand ... the children were vulnerable because of their age, but they were entirely dependent upon you as the mother who they look to for care and protection.
“They would have viewed you as an unconditional source of safety and love ... The ending represents a fundamental breach of trust.”
Justice Mander acknowledged the grace and stoicism with which Dickason’s husband and their girls’ father Graham had conducted himself throughout the ordeal.
“I also acknowledge the unfathomable loss for both sides of the family.”
