Kahui twins' dad at childcare centre

Chris Kahui. File photo / NZ Herald

The father of the dead Kahui twins has an active role at a children's playgroup run by his new family's church.

Acquitted four years ago for the 2006 deaths of his sons Chris and Cru Kahui, Chris Kahui was in the spotlight again this week after coroner Garry Evans found the twins' fatal injuries were inflicted while they were in their father's "sole custody and care". Evans ruled out any involvement from their mother Macsyna King.

The Herald on Sunday can reveal that Kahui is an active member of the Sticky Fingers Playgroup in Panmure, Auckland.

Sticky Fingers was closed on Friday and a message told callers the family of Tom, Margaret, Chris, Marcia and Heaven were not taking calls "until further notice". A man at Kahui's Panmure address said Chris did not want to comment. When asked about Chris' role at Sticky Fingers he said: "Now you are prying, you should get in your car and leave."

Child Youth and Family (CYF) has an ongoing relationship with Kahui and his family.

Around six families attend the centre at the back of the church run by Kahui's wife Marcia Ngapera's family.

According to CYF's care plan, Kahui is not permitted to be alone with his 3-year-old daughter, Carla, but must be supervised at all times by approved family members, including when she attends a childcare facility.

Macsyna King, would not comment on Kahui. Her lawyer Marie Dyhrberg said she had nothing to do with him.

Dyhrberg said CYF was the statutory body responsible for the care and protection of all children in New Zealand and she expected the service to consider the coroner's findings carefully in relation to Kahui and children.

However, CYF operations general manager Marama Edwards said: "We have not been alerted to any concerns regarding Chris Kahui and any childcare facility. If anyone has concerns, they should contact us."

Asked whether Kahui's history gave the service any concern, she said, "We continue to take this child's [Carla's] safety extremely seriously. We've worked closely with the family since she was born to ensure she is well cared for and protected."

Carla's case was reviewed every six months and Child, Youth and Family visited the family regularly.

Kahui's eldest child Shayne has been placed in the long-term care of wider family members since August 2006.

The coroner's report, released following an inquest in 2011, was a new twist in the case which started after the 3-month-old boys died from brain injuries in Auckland's Starship Hospital six years ago.

Police are reported to be considering laying other charges against Kahui.

A couple who attend Sticky Fingers said they were happy with the playgroup and liked Kahui. Sophie Hoani said her husband Lionel took their daughter to the playgroup as she worked.

She said they were friends with the Ngapera family and got on well with Kahui.

"We think Chris is lovely, that's all I am going to say about him. He's lovely."

Sticky Fingers is a community-led playgroup that received $5000 a year from the Ministry of Education. Chris Kahui's sister-in-law, Rona Ngapera, was the co-ordinator. The set up was managed by Rosi Fitzpatrick of Teuila Consulting in Grey Lynn. Fitzpatrick said Kahui was not involved with the management of the playgroup.

"He has a daughter there and, because it is a playgroup and not a drop-off daycare, he has to stay," Fitzpatrick said.

Fitzpatrick was not aware of any concerns with Kahui's presence at the playgroup.

"The co-ordinators are police-vetted but, because parents have to stay with their children, it is not as stringent as other centres."

Similar playgroups run out of churches, marae, school rooms and other community spaces.

They are licensed to have up to 25 children attending at one time and parents must stay with the children.