The fatal cost of addiction for tot

The grave in Tauranga of 14-month-old Kororia Matthews-Poumako. Photo / Doug Sherring

A 14-month-old girl died at the hands of her mother, who was seeking help for substance abuse.

Kataraina Te Iti Matthews, 33, and Kororia Matthews-Poumako, 14 months, were found dead at a flat on Dominion Rd, in Mt Roskill.

She had another 11-year-old child being cared for by relatives in Tauranga.

An Auckland neighbour, who declined to be named, said the four-unit complex was used as temporary housing for people seeking help from the Salvation Army.

She said the woman had been living there for about two weeks.

"She was lovely. I had spoken to her and she was really nice," the woman said. "She came over to me and asked if she could borrow something and I held the little girl by the hand. She was well-behaved."

She saw police examining the house for four days after the April 1 death.

"I feel so sorry for them. I know how hard it is after you have children. I had a child who cried for two years and it can really get you. It can get beyond you," she said.

Jose Matthews said his cousin Kataraina battled alcoholism and had been in rehabilitation treatment.

Auckland City police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said the deaths were being investigated by police on behalf of the Coroner.

Child Youth and Family northern regional director Grant Bennett said the agency had previously worked with the mother, and in January she and her daughter had moved into a supported home run by a non-government organisation.

"Everyone at the home did all they could to help her but, despite their best efforts, were unable to see or prevent this from happening," he said.

University of Otago National Addiction Centre senior lecturer Simon Adamson said alcohol and drug addiction was often a result of other problems in people's lives.

"Alcohol is a short-term solution but has the ability to compound problems and lead to further damage to employment, family relationships, legal and financial problems."

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett said the chief social worker's role was to investigate extraordinary cases.

"It was deeply upsetting to learn of the death of a mother and child and my heart goes out to those who loved them both," she said.