Grandfather of Kahui twins admits lying

William Kahui. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

The grandfather of the slain Kahui twins today admitted lying to police to protect his son.

William "Banjo" Kahui was continuing his evidence at the inquest in Auckland of three-month-old Chris and Cru who died of severe head injuries in 2006.

Mr Kahui yesterday said he drove 50km to Papakura to search for their mother when baby Cru stopped breathing on Monday, June 11, instead of taking him 4km down the road to Middlemore Hospital.

In answer to cross-examination from police lawyer Simon Mount, Mr Kahui agreed that he and Chris were furious that Ms King was not at home to look after the children and decided to look for her at the home of her sister Emily.

He also said he lied to police when he said he didn't know who lived at the house they were travelling to.

Mr Kahui also admitted he didn't tell police about the incident where Cru stopped breathing because he did not want to incriminate his son over this incident.

Under further cross-examination from Chris Morris, the lawyer assisting the coroner, Mr Kahui said there was no discussion among the family whether anyone should lie to police.

He later told Mr Morris he wasn't sure why he lied to police.

Earlier today, Coroner Garry Evans heard legal argument in relation to the appearance of a witness who had given evidence in the High Court trial which acquitted Chris Kahui of the twins' murder.

The evidence of the witness, whose name is suppressed, was adjourned to a later date.

- NZPA