Wairarapa sisters Rachaelle Namana and Rongomai Paewai have pleaded guilty to charges relating to the death of their 23-month-old niece, Lillybing.
Hinewaoriki Karaitiana-Matiaha, or Lillybing, was delivered dead to Masterton Hospital on July 23 last year.
The Carterton toddler had been dead for about five hours and already had rigor mortis.
She had suffered a major head injury and a full-face burn, severe abdominal injury, and life-threatening genital mutilation.
Today in the Wellington High Court, Namana, aged 28, a mother of five and former Kohanga Reo teacher, pleaded guilty to one charge of manslaughter, two of ill-treatment of a child, and two of failing to provide the necessities of life.
Her sister, Paewai, a 27-year-old beneficiary and former kohanga teacher, pleaded guilty to two charges of wilful ill treatment of a child, and two of failing to provide the necessities of life.
A charge against Namana's partner, David Hemopo, was dismissed.
Justice Durie remanded Namana in custody until June 15 for sentencing. Paewai was remanded on bail until the same date.
