Five people charged over the death of Rotorua toddler Nia Glassie pleaded not guilty in the High Court at Rotorua today.
Lawyers for the five told the court they would be applying for a change of venue, away from Rotorua, for their trial.
Michael William Curtis, 21, and Wiremu Curtis,18, are accused of murdering Nia, who died at Starship hospital on August 3 last year, after suffering injuries at a Rotorua house.
Oriwa Terrina Kemp, 17, and Michael Paul Pearson, 19, are charged with her manslaughter, while Nia's mother, Lisa Michelle Kuka, 35, faces two counts of manslaughter - the first for failing to provide medical treatment and the second for failing to protect her from violence.
Michael and Wiremu Curtis, Kemp and Pearson are also charged with wilfully illtreating Nia.
The Curtis pair and Kemp are alleged to have spun Nia around on a clothesline until she fell off and also to have placed her in a clothes drier and turned it on.
Alternative charges have also been laid.
Michael and Wiremu Curtis, Kemp and Pearson are also accused of assaulting two other children.
The accused entered not guilty pleas on all charges before Justice Mark Cooper today.
Crown solicitor Fletcher Pilditch asked that any pre-trial issues be filed by April 9 for a callover on April 10.
Laywers for the accused said they would be applying for a change of venue and wanted a later callover date, but Mr Pilditch was concerned any delay might mean a trial date could not be set this year.
Justice Cooper ordered change of venue applications to be filed by April 9 and the case to return for callover on April 10.
Kuka was remanded on bail while the others remain in custody. Their appearance has been excused on April 10.
Nia's grandfather, William Curtis. is separately charged with assaulting and injuring Nia. He did not appear today.
