As police investigate how a 12-week-old child got facial injuries, and look at yet another case of a six month old child with severe head injuries, who has subsequently died, a child advocate is calling on family and neighbours to speak out about child abuse.
Archdeacon Dr Hone Kaa, heads up Te Kahui Mana Ririki, which aims to prevent abuse of Maori children.
He said he cannot understand why people do not speak up when they suspect children are being abused.
"I suspect it is a 'my home, my castle' thing which is still going on in some people's heads," Dr Kaa said.
People need to go back to the old adage of: "It takes a whole village to raise a child, We are never going to be able to heal our community if the community does not buy into the need to watch over each other," Dr Kaa said.
He said there are many organisations out there that are helping people get out of abusive relationship but a fear of authority could be putting some people off.
"For the people affected by child abuse, and who are often in the category of depravation, there is a feeling that: If I go there my head will pop up and who else may come after me.
"It is that fear of authority, and I don't know how you break that down, but it is important for those agencies to get out into the community and be heard in the community to help break that down," Dr Kaa said.
