Parole Board keeps Nia Glassie murderer Wiremu Curtis behind bars

Wiremu Curtis during sentencing in the High Court at Rotorua in 2009. Photo / NZME

One of two brothers jailed for murdering Rotorua toddler Nia Glassie will remain behind bars for at least another year.

Wiremu Curtis was called before the New Zealand Parole Board yesterday.

It was the second time he was eligible for parole since being convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment with 17 years’ non-parole.

Curtis waived his right to appear before the Parole Board and the members instead issued their decision based on papers.

The outcome, released to the media, said parole had been declined and he would next appear in February 2027.

A full written decision would be made public in the coming weeks.

The board would not disclose whether he sought parole.

When Curtis appeared before the Parole Board for the first time in February last year, he indicated he might appeal his murder conviction, after his co-accused, brother Michael Curtis, admitted for the first time 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 has been filed.

He did not seek parole on that occasion, as he acknowledged he needed to work on learning life skills.

Wiremu Curtis was 17 at the time 3-year-old Nia died after months of abuse and torture, including being put in a dryer set to hot and spun on a clothesline until she fell off.

Brothers Michael (left) and Wiremu Curtis. Photo / NZME

Wiremu Curtis said at last year’s hearing that it was his brother who delivered the fatal kick and his brother stabbed him afterwards because he refused to confess.

The Curtis brothers received the same prison sentence after a trial in the High Court at Rotorua in 2008.

Michael Curtis' parole was also declined last year and he is next set to appear before the Parole Board in July.

The board heard last year he was still using drugs and resorting to violence inside prison.

Others guilty

Nia’s mother, Lisa Kuka, a Te Puke kiwifruit worker, was jailed for nine years for two counts of manslaughter, after it was proved she failed to protect Nia and get her medical treatment.

Two others, Oriwa Kemp and Michael Pearson, were convicted and jailed for assaulting Nia.

The clothes line at Nia Glassie's Frank St home. Photo / File

Nia suffered three months of torture leading up to her death while she lived at a Frank St house.

The Curtis brothers, Kemp, and Pearson were supposed to look after Nia and others while Kuka went to work.

Appearing in court (from left) are Lisa Kuka, (a police officer guarding the offenders), Michael Curtis, Michael Pearson, Wiremu Curtis and Oriwa Kemp. Photo / File

Among the other abuse she suffered was being put over a burning fire, thrown at walls and dropped from heights.

When the Curtis brothers were using Nia to practise wrestling moves, she was fatally kicked in the head.

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.