Nia Glassie murderer Wiremu Curtis lost jail job after bullying worker - Parole Board

Wiremu Curtis has been denied parole for a second time after being jailed for Nia Glassie's murder. Photo / File

Wiremu Curtis, one of two brothers jailed for murdering Rotorua toddler Nia Glassie, lost his prison laundry job after he bullied and threatened a worker, a Parole Board decision reveals.

Curtis, 36, was eligible for parole last month, but he did not apply, telling report writers in the lead-up to his hearing he was not ready to be released.

It was the second time he was eligible for parole since being convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment with 17 years’ non-parole. His parole has been declined by the board on both occasions.

Given Curtis waived his right to appear before the Parole Board on February 24, members instead issued their decision based on papers. The outcome was released to the media at the time, with the full decision released to the Rotorua Daily Post today.

The decision, signed by panel convenor Kathryn Snook, said there were mixed reports about Curtis’ behaviour in prison.

It said Curtis displayed some aggression towards staff and there were two reported incidents, on October 5 last year and January 12 this year.

The decision said Curtis was “easily influenced” by other prisoners, and he lost his job in the laundry due to threatening and bullying a new worker.

A psychological report dated December 16, 2025 said Curtis used substances during his upbringing and had an “unstable” early life.

The report noted Curtis did not show much regard for institutional rules if they did not suit him.

He did not have a safety plan for his release and had not provided any accommodation options for canvassing, the decision said.

Nia Glassie. Photo / File

Curtis had completed 24 one-on-one counselling sessions with a psychologist. He was said to be “highly engaged”, but treatment was ongoing and had not resulted in behavioural change.

He also did not want to discuss his offending towards Nia, who was 3 when she died in 2007 after months of abuse and torture.

“He is said to accept that he kicked and punched one child but not the other violence,” the decision said.

During Curtis’ first parole board hearing in February last year, he indicated he might appeal his murder conviction, after his co-accused, brother Michael Curtis, admitted last year for the first time that he was solely to blame for the fatal kick to the head that killed Nia.

Wiremu Curtis told the Parole Board at that time: “I told yous from the start I was innocent … I didn’t do the murder. I had a part in it but yeah".

No appeal had been filed, as of the Parole Board panel convening last month.

The recommendations of the psychologist and also the Parole Board were that Curtis continue with the one-to-one treatment with the psychologist to address his offence-related treatment needs.

He was also told to work on his safety plan and plans for reintegration before his next hearing in February next year.

Michael Curtis is due before the Parole Board for the second time in July.

What to do if you think a child is being abused

If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call police on 111.

If you’re worried about a child and want to make a referral or report of concern, call Oranga Tamariki on 0508 FAMILY (0508 326 459) or email contact@ot.govt.nz.

Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.