Ms Thom said the use of physical force to discipline was never acceptable and the Hemeras would not be allowed to foster more children.
Mr Hemara, who was also found not-guilty of assaulting another boy when he briefly stayed with the couple, told APNZ today he thought Ms Thom's comments ran in opposition to the justice system's findings.
He and his wife were relieved with the jury's verdicts, which came three years after initial charges were laid.
"It's a burden being taken off us. I've got nothing against the young ones, I wish them well and I think they will do good where-ever they go and I'm still disappointed that CYF are standing by what they believe,'' Mr Hemara said.
The couple looked after about 50 children over their decade as CYF carers and Mr Hemara said they never resorted to violence.
They were trained to look after high-risk children so had strategies to deal with unruly behaviour.
Throughout their trial the public gallery was full of supporters and many people they had looked after remained in touch, he said.
"We still have contact with the older ones... some of them are parents. They still call us aunty and uncle. You could say that we are the foster grandparents to their kids.''
Now the Hemaras would concentrate on supporting other caregivers, who Mr Hemara said were not protected when made up allegations were levelled against them.
"As soon as a young person makes an allegation the focus goes on them and the focus is lost from the caregiver. You can see what happened to us.''
Charges against the couple's daughter Tamara Lee Hemara were dropped part-way through the trial.