Editorial: Nia story underlines need to speak out

Speak up.

That was the overwhelming message that came out of TVNZ's powerful documentary Beyond The Darklands on Monday night.

For those who were strong enough to watch the programme, they will no doubt agree it was a real tear jerker.

No matter how many times I hear the gruesome details about how toddler Nia Glassie was ill-treated and eventually murdered, it doesn't get any easier to take.

In my opinion, the producers and presenters did very well.

So too did our local figures who took part - Detective Inspector Mark Loper, Rotorua Crown solicitor Fletcher Pilditch and Crown prosecutor Amanda Gordon.

Rotorua police detectives also showed amazing professionalism and restraint while interviewing the offenders.

Hearing their ridiculous answers to their questions was infuriating.

As a reporter, I wrote the first story about Nia Glassie in 2007 and covered the early court appearances of her abusers.

I will never forget the reaction of the Rotorua District Court judge dealing with their case the afternoon following their arrest.

It had been a long day in the court and he was handed the file.

They stood in the dock and were made to wait while he read the information to himself about what they were accused of doing.

He kept moving from side to side in his chair, looking up to glare at them every few seconds.

He leaned over and said slowly but firmly - "you are in very big trouble".

But words do nothing to these people - and I use the word "people" lightly. They are lower than low - all of them.

Sure, the Curtis brothers inflicted the final fatal blow but how on earth Lisa Kuka calls herself a mother is beyond me.

Sadly, they are not the only ones to blame. Too many people knew about this little girl's shocking life - neighbours at both James St and Frank St properties and family members.

New Zealanders are way too concerned about "narking".

If just one of those people had spoken up, little Nia might be alive today.

Sadly there are children in society right now who are being abused and treated appallingly.

I hope those abusers were watching Beyond The Darklands on Monday night and maybe, just maybe, they realise what they are doing is wrong.