Former partner recalls Macsyna's 'confession'

Chris and Cru Kahui died in the Starship hospital five years ago. Photo / Supplied

Five years have passed since the Kahui twins were brutally killed and no one has been held accountable.

The inquest into the murder of the 3-month-olds wound up yesterday in the Auckland Coroner's Court and a decision from the coroner is likely to be some months away.

The courtroom was blessed by staff before the inquest began this week and a karakia was said again at its closing yesterday.

Coroner Garry Evans has heard evidence from medical specialists, the twins' parents and extended family.

Yesterday, he had to convince a former partner of Macsyna King, the twins' mother, to tell him of an alleged confession.

Eru Tuari had initially declined to answer questions but Mr Evans told him it was his job as coroner to "see justice done" and he needed Mr Tuari's help.

Mr Tuari said he went into Ms King's bedroom to find her crying on the bed.

He told the court Ms King said, "Chris didn't do it, I did it," referring to the twins' father, Chris Kahui Snr.

The twins died of head injuries in the Starship hospital in 2006.

Two years later, in the High Court at Auckland, Mr Kahui was acquitted of their murders. His lawyers alleged Ms King caused the fatal injuries. She denied the killings.

Mr Tuari said he began seeing Ms King after she broke up with Mr Kahui, months after the twins died.

He said that on the day of the alleged confession, Ms King was talking about "heaps. It was all over the place."

He said she told him: "Chris didn't do it, I did it."

Mr Tuari said he asked her what it was that she had done and Ms King said: "F*** it".

Ms King has previously told the inquest the conversation never happened.

Mr Tuari and Ms King broke up about two months later.

About six months later, Mr Tuari was in prison. The nature of his convictions are suppressed.

He said he saw Mr Kahui on television after the father was arrested for the twins' murder and felt he needed to go to the police.

"Just seeing Chris and what she said. It wasn't right," Mr Tuari said.

He confirmed to Mr Kahui's lawyer Michele Wilkinson-Smith that he had gained nothing by coming forward.

Under cross-examination from police lawyer Simon Mount, he confirmed that he had tried to take a "cheeky" photo of Ms King on his cellphone.

Asked why, Mr Tuari said: "I don't know. I've done quite a few silly things."

Mr Tuari has also claimed he recorded the conversation on his phone but a forensic search of the phone did not turn up Ms King's alleged confession.

Mr Mount asked him directly: "Did she ever tell you she killed the twins?"

Mr Tuari said: "No."

He was asked if he was lying about the conversation. Mr Tuari said he was not.

Under cross-examination from Ms King's lawyer, Belinda Sellars, Mr Tuari confirmed he was not sure of the exact words that Ms King had used but later said he was "pretty sure" she had said something to the effect of, "Chris didn't do it, I did it."